Fribourg approves a new central prison at Bellechasse
Voters in the canton of Fribourg went to the polls on September 28 to decide on two diverging issues: a major infrastructure project and a constitutional safeguard for a local landscape. The tally on the prize question showed strong support for the state’s prison plan. The proposal to finance a new central prison at Bellechasse received 67.8% in favor, reflecting broad backing from the electorate and the government’s advocacy for modernization of the canton’s penal system.
Details of the Bellechasse prison project
The approved measure involved a credit of 53.1 million Swiss francs to fund the construction of the new central prison in Bellechasse. The vote aligns with the Conseil d’État’s stance, which argued the project would enhance security, improve inmate management, and consolidate facilities. If all goes to plan, construction could begin in 2026, with the facility slated to become operational by the summer of 2028. The result is likely to shape the canton’s approach to criminal justice and regional infrastructure for years to come.
The lake protection initiative rejected
In a separate but closely watched vote, Fribourg residents rejected the constitutional initiative titled “Pour la sauvegarde du lac de la Gruyère et de ses rives,” commonly referred to as “Sauvez les Laviaux.” The measure failed with 59.8% voting against it. The proposal sought to enshrine the preservation of Lake Gruyère and its shores in the cantonal constitution, a move supported by a portion of the left. With the turnout and preferences clearly favoring the status quo, supporters of stricter environmental protections will need to pursue other avenues to advance their goals.
Why the two votes diverged
The split outcome highlights the tension often seen in cantonal politics between security and environmental protection. While a broad coalition backed the Bellechasse project as a pragmatic upgrade to infrastructure and public safety, the lake preservation initiative faced concerns about legal implications, implementation costs, and potential conflicts with property rights or development plans. Cantonal leaders emphasized that the prison project would address overcrowding and modernize facilities, whereas opponents of the lake initiative emphasized the need for careful, incremental measures rather than constitutional enshrinement.
What comes next for Fribourg
With the prison plan approved, the canton will proceed to finalize design work, secure permits, and begin construction in 2026. The expected operational date of summer 2028 marks a significant milestone in Fribourg’s approach to public safety and regional planning. Environmental groups and residents who favored stronger protections for Lake Gruyère are likely to continue pressing for balancing development with conservation, but for now the constitutional shield remains absent from the cantonal charter.
Conclusion
The September 28 vote establishes two clear trajectories for Fribourg: a commitment to upgrading the canton’s correctional facilities in Bellechasse and a decision not to embed the Gruyère lake protections into the cantonal constitution. As construction begins and the new prison edges toward operation, observers will watch how the canton manages security, budgeting, and environmental concerns in the years ahead.
