Local Elections in Nyon. A Conversation with Dr Ariane Schwab Hug (les Vert-e-s)

With local elections approaching, we sat down with Dr Ariane Schwab Hug to discuss her journey into politics, the priorities she’s focusing on in Nyon, and why voting matters for both Swiss and non-Swiss residents. Dr Ariane Schwab Hug, a child psychiatrist and member of the Green Party, was elected to Nyon’s Conseil communal in 2021 and is running again this year.

Living in Nyon holds no affiliation with any political party. We offer space for candidates to share their perspectives for our readers.

Dr Ariane Schwab Hug

What inspired you to get involved in local politics in Nyon?

My path into politics has not been a typical one. I have always respected our political system and made sure to vote, but I never imagined becoming actively involved until I fully understood the seriousness of the climate crisis.

In 2019, something changed for me. I saw young people taking to the streets, demanding political action on climate issues. It was a wake-up call. I realised I could no longer just watch from the sidelines. I feel that my generation and those before us, share a great responsibility for the current state of the planet. It didn’t feel right to leave this burden to younger generations.

I am a mother, and I worry about the future of my children and potential future grandchildren. I am also a child psychiatrist, and I see every day how deeply a child’s development is shaped by their environment. For me, it became clear that protecting our environment also means protecting our children’s future.

That is why I decided to join the Green Party and contribute at the local level. I have discovered many inspiring citizen initiatives around the world, including those featured in the documentary Tomorrow (2015) Demain, that give me hope. Even if international decisions often move too slowly, there is still a great deal we can do locally. Local choices can directly improve quality of life and help communities become more resilient in the face of future challenges.

I was elected to the Conseil communal of Nyon in 2021 and am running again this year.

What would you say to eligible Swiss and non-Swiss voters about why it’s important for them to take part in this local election?

Taking part in local elections means choosing your municipal authorities and deciding which political direction you want to see guiding the community for the next five years. As an expat living in Nyon, you pay taxes. A large part of the municipal council’s work involves deciding how public money is spent. Voting is therefore essential if you want to have a say in how your tax contributions are used and what priorities should guide local spending.

Over the past five years, serving on the municipal council has shown me how close some votes can be, often involving several million francs of public funds. In these cases, the number of seats held by each party can make a real difference. This is why every vote truly matters. Each individual ballot has the potential to influence important decisions.

Voting for the first time can also feel like discovering a new and sometimes complex political system, one that is deeply rooted in Swiss culture. But participating is also a powerful way to integrate, to better understand how your municipality works, and to stay informed about what is happening in your local community.

What are the issues you are most focused on in Nyon right now?

Together with my colleagues from the Green Party, we are strongly committed to the responsible and efficient use of resources. Beyond the development of renewable energy, which has seen significant growth in recent years, partly thanks to Green initiatives - there is also the crucial issue of water management. We recently voted on a new regulation, fully aware that water will become an increasingly precious resource and that we must avoid wasting it.

Mobility is another key concern. How can we ensure that different modes of transport coexist smoothly, while encouraging more environmentally friendly choices such as cycling, walking, and public transport? In a town that is growing rapidly, this is a sensitive issue that many residents experience in their daily lives. It is becoming increasingly urgent to develop a truly connected and safe cycling network within the municipality, so that this popular and sustainable form of transport can grow under the right safety conditions.

Urban greening is also a major challenge for the coming decades. Moving toward the concept of a “sponge city”- designed to absorb rainwater naturally and reduce heat, is essential. Although progress has been made, our tree canopy coverage still falls short of our targets for effectively combating urban heat islands.

Finally, we would like to strengthen the sense of community across the city. This means bringing more life to peripheral neighbourhoods and promoting urban planning that includes green spaces, local services, and meeting places within walking distance of home.

I believe these issues concern every resident of Nyon, whether Swiss or foreign national, because local politics shapes the city we live in. The consequences of local political decisions are concrete and visible in everyday life, regardless of the colour of your passport.

We’re grateful to Dr Ariane Schwab Hug for taking the time to share her experiences with our Living in Nyon community. Thank you.

A reminder for our community

Local politics directly shapes daily life from transport and schools to green spaces and public spending. As Nyon heads toward elections, understanding the perspectives of different candidates helps residents make informed choices.

For eligible voters, getting familiar with the issues and having your voice heard can make a real difference locally.

A snapshot of the 2026 Nyon local elections as they stand

The number of candidates for the Municipalité and Conseil communal, as well as how many people are representing each party. For more information visit Ville de Nyon

And if you are a local candidate or community voice with something meaningful to share with Living in Nyon, we welcome you to get in touch.