The Grand Council held a session packed with discussions on investments, the environment, and relations with the EU.

Yesterday's session in Bellinzona was intense and full of topics for the Ticino Grand Council, meeting under the presidency of Fabio SchnellmannIn just over a day, the cantonal parliament addressed infrastructure investments, environmental policies, health issues, and institutional issues that extend beyond cantonal borders.

Infrastructure and Industry: Yes to support for new railway plant

One of the first yes votes received from the chamber concerned the New Arbedo-Castione Railway Industrial Plant. With 53 votes in favor, 11 against, and 10 abstentions, Parliament approved the allocation of a net credit of 18,298 million francs as a cantonal contribution for external works and facilities for the project. The decree is linked to Government Message No. 8607 of August 20, 2025, and was signed by the Management and Finance Committee, with rapporteur Alessandro SpezialiAn investment that confirms the strategic importance of the railway sector for the region.

Electric mobility: strengthened incentives

There was also broad consensus on the environmental front. With 66 votes in favor, 4 against, and 2 abstentions, the Grand Council approved an 11 million franc credit to incentivize the purchase of fully electric vehicles, the development of charging infrastructure—both at home and at workplaces—and the renewal of vehicle fleets, subject to the decommissioning of high-emission vehicles. The dossier, linked to government message no. 8634 of November 19, 2025, was followed by the Environment, Land, and Energy Committee, with rapporteur Matteo Buzzi.

Waste and bills: Cantonal waste management approved

The Cantonal Waste Management Company's 2024 accounts and annual report were also approved. The legislative decree, linked to Message No. 8618 of September 24, 2025, was approved with 62 votes in favor, 3 against, and 5 abstentions. Reporting to the Management and Finance Committee was: Boris Bignasca.

Hunting and Wildlife: Initiative Rejected, Counter-Proposal Passes

Hunting and wildlife protection is a sensitive issue. With 60 votes in favor, one against, and three abstentions, the Grand Council followed the conclusions of the Constitution and Law Committee – rapporteur John Capoferri – rejecting the parliamentary initiative presented by Lara Filippini and co-signatories for the introduction of a new article in the Hunting Law. At the same time, the legislative amendment proposed by the Council of State as a counter-proposal was approved with the same vote.

Ammunition and Territory: Motions Archived

Still in the environmental field, with 50 votes in favour and 19 against, the Parliament deemed the 2020 motion to have been evaded Tamara Merlo on lead-free ammunition, following the report of the Commission on Environment, Territory and Energy, presented by Roberta Passardi.

Unanimous decision, however, for the historic motion of 2005 Joseph Arigoni, taken from Ivo Durisch, which called for a cantonal land use plan for the lakeside area in Melano. The report, illustrated by Andrea Rigamonti, was adopted with 71 votes in favour.

Healthcare: No to changes to hospital planning

On the health front, the Grand Council rejected the parliamentary initiative presented by Matthew Pronzini e Giuseppe Sergi for MPS-Independents, who asked that Parliament be responsible for deciding on hospital planning. The conclusions of the Health and Social Security Committee, illustrated by Matthew Quadranti e Danilo Forini, passed with 67 votes in favor, 6 against, and 4 abstentions.

Europe and Treaties: Referendum at the Center of the Debate

Relations with the European Union were also addressed. With 67 votes in favor, 6 against, and 4 abstentions, Parliament approved the motion Alain Bühler calling for a mandatory referendum on international treaties ahead of the vote on the Framework Agreement 2.0 with the EU. The majority report of the Constitution and Law Committee was presented by Andrea Giudici.

Still on the same topic, with 47 votes in favour, 14 against and one abstention, the cantonal initiative of the Lega Group signed by Andrea Sanvido, which calls for a mandatory referendum with a double majority for every institutional treaty or equivalent agreement with the EU. The rapporteur for the majority report was Sem Genini.

Youth and participation: we'll talk about it again in March.

Finally, the discussion dedicated to the petition "For a more lively and youthful Ticino", promoted by Yannick Demaria and signed by 2,058 citizens. The issue will return to the floor in March.

The Grand Council will meet again on Monday, March 23, 2026, at 2:00 PM, again in Bellinzona, for a new round of decisions that promises to be equally intense.