A change of state would be possible, but complicated

Only seven civilians remained, a few pensioners and a goat farmer. The quiet village of Monteviasco (I) on the southern slope of the Gradiccioli is only two kilometers away from the Swiss border. And yet it’s been a tough trip up there since the funicular to the hamlet closed four years ago. If you want to get to Monteviasco now, you have to climb 1442 steps on the steep slope.

The closed cable car could well mean the death penalty for the small Italian village. To prevent this, the remaining citizens had an open letter published in the local newspaper “La Prealpina”. In it they called for the connection to Switzerland and were convinced that they would have their cable car back long ago.

Both states should agree

But would such a connection with Switzerland be possible at all? Yes that is him! “Such a change is not ruled out under international law,” says Léa Zürcher of the Federal Ministry of Foreign Affairs (EDA).

However, the hurdles would be high. Both states involved would have to agree to a state treaty – and Italy is unlikely to have any interest in doing so. In practice, such a change is “generally not very likely”, the FDFA clarifies.

Always requests to join

The improbability of such a change has been demonstrated several times in the past. Because the villagers of Monteviasco are far from the first to flirt with joining Switzerland.

Demand is constantly increasing, especially from Lombardy in northern Italy. In 2017, for example, the connection of individual regions was discussed. As early as 2008, the mountain village of Premana expressed a desire to move to Switzerland. The accusation at the time was the same as that of Monteviasco: the Italian state does not take enough care of the village.

Even Sardinia wanted to change

And Switzerland could even be connected to the Mediterranean today: in 2014, Sardinia dreamed of being part of the Confederation. When the number of a Facebook group rose from 1,300 to 7,600 for the “Canton maritimo” (Sea Canton), the people of the Mediterranean made headlines around the world.

Switzerland could have extended its borders to the east much earlier. In 1911, after World War I, the future of Austria-Hungary was uncertain. After the armistice, the crownland of Vorarlberg declared its independence: many wanted to join Switzerland. The area then remained with the new Republic of Austria.

Monteviasco is also likely to stay with Italy. Because the open letter from the villagers has already had an effect. In any case, the prefecture of Varese announced that it would manage seven cable car systems, including the route to Monteviasco, by the end of the year. (dba)