Fribourg’s September 28 vote: Prison plan approved, lake protection initiative rejected
In the canton’s latest electoral decision, the public weighed two major questions: backing a new central prison at Bellechasse and rejecting a constitutional bid to safeguard Lac de la Gruyère and its shores. Voters approved the prison project with a strong majority while turning down the environmental initiative.
Prison project: Bellechasse approved
A large funding package gains approval
The cantonal vote approved a credit of 53.1 million Swiss francs to build a new central prison at Bellechasse. The measure secured about 67.8% of voters in favor, reflecting broad support for updating and consolidating the canton’s correctional facilities. The approval aligns with the Conseil d’État’s recommendation, signaling confidence in upgrading public safety infrastructure.
Timeline and impact
Officials indicated that construction could begin in 2026, with the new facility slated to be operational by the summer of 2028. The project is expected to modernize inmate management, improve living and working conditions for staff, and enhance regional security. Local councils and regional partners anticipate the new prison will influence related planning, housing, and service provision in the Bellechasse area.
Initiative: Sauvez les Laviaux rejected
A constitutional proposal on the lake
The initiative, formally titled the constitutional amendment “for the preservation of Lac de la Gruyère and its shores,” sought to enshrine environmental protection in the canton’s constitution. Backed by a portion of the left, the proposal would have created a strong legal obligation to preserve the lake and its banks, potentially shaping future development and land-use decisions.
What the result signals
Voters rejected the change by about 59.8% against. The defeat suggests that a sizable portion of the electorate preferred keeping environmental protection measures within the regular legislative process rather than elevating a single issue to constitutional status. Analysts note that, while conservation remains important to Fribourg residents, there is a desire to balance environmental goals with other needs and to maintain flexibility for future economic and infrastructural projects.
What these results mean for Fribourg
The dual outcome—approval for the Bellechasse prison and rejection of the lake-protection constitutional amendment—highlights the electorate’s current priorities: invest in essential public infrastructure and approach environmental guarantees through standard policymaking rather than constitutional entrenchment. The prison project marks a clear step in modernizing the canton’s correctional system, potentially spurring related jobs and regional development, while the lake vote keeps conservation efforts in the legislative arena, allowing ongoing discussion on how best to protect the lake without constraining growth.
Next steps
With the prison credit secured, planning and procurement will move forward, aiming for a 2026 start and a 2028 opening. On Lac de la Gruyère, cantonal authorities will continue exploring how to safeguard the lake and its shores within the existing constitutional framework and through ordinary legislation, ensuring continued conservation alongside responsible development.
