The Jura Autonomist Movement (MAJ)—known successively as the Jura Separatist Movement (MSJ) from 1947 to 1951, then as the Jura Rally (RJ) from 1951 to 1994 – is an autonomist and separatist organization comprising several entities such as Unité jurassienne (UJ), Groupe Bélier (until 1981), Mouvement universitaire jurassien (MUJ), Association féminine pour la défense du Jura (AFDJ) and Association des Jurassiens de l’extérieur (AJE).
Throughout its history, the MAJ has been a significant organisation involved with the Jura Question. Founded in 1947 at the initiative of Daniel Charpilloz, the movement initially supported efforts for the historic Jura region to separate from the canton of Bern. It later focused on promoting the reunification of the Bernese Jura with the Republic and Canton of Jura, which became a sovereign canton in 1979. Today, the MAJ continues to participate in issues relating to the historic Jura region, including matters of regional identity and institutional status.
Objectives When it was founded in 1947, the Jura separatist movement set itself the goal of separating the people and territory of Jura from the canton of Bern to create a new canton within the Swiss Confederation;;. Its statutes stipulated that the organization had "the aim of freeing the Jura people from Bernese domination.
Following the Jura plebiscite of 1974–1975, which resulted in the creation of the Republic and Canton of Jura consisting of only three of the seven historic districts, the MAJ redefined its goals. Although it retained its desire to free the Jura people from what it regarded as Bernese domination, its action now focused exclusively on the Bernese Jura (which it designated as Southern Jura). The organization then directed its struggle toward the reunification of the former Bernese districts of Moutier, Courtelary, and La Neuveville with the canton of Jura, thereby continuing its commitment to the unity of the historic Jura territory.
Since 2025, in the context marked by the constitutional end of the Jura question and the official integration of the town of Moutier into the Republic and Canton of Jura, the MAJ has undertaken a revision of its statutes and goals. Aware that the traditional notion of "reunification" no longer corresponds to the current institutional reality, the MAJ has adapted its action to a new phase of inter-Jura dialogue. This is no longer based on a logic of territorial confrontation, but on the promotion of cultural, linguistic, and identity ties uniting the people of Jura from both cantons. The organization now states that it "the aim of freeing the Jura people from Bernese domination".
History
First Jurassian Separatist Movement (1917–1930) On April 24, 1917, the first Jurassian Separatist Movement (MSJ) was founded under the presidency of Albert Eberhardt, who, faced with threats, had to resign. He was then replaced by Louis Merlin. Alfred Ribeaud, becoming the main animator of the movement, presented the Jura question to the whole of Switzerland and launched the idea of creating a canton of Jura, stating: "We want to break the chain that binds us...and nothing can stop us, neither the knights of the gravy train nor the entire bear pit. We are ready!". He published several politically engaged texts, including Au temps des cerises (In the Time of Cherries), La Question jurassienne (The Jura Question) and Nous voulons l'autonomie (We Want Autonomy). At that point, the MSJ set about forming a committee for the creation of a canton of Jura, structured around an executive commission. However, the project came to nothing. This first movement failed in part because its initiators were isolated, cut off from the working classes.
At the same time, other separatist movements also emerged during this period.
Second Jurassian Separatist Movement (1947–1951) On , following the Moeckli affair, Norbert Clémence, Roland Béguelin, Daniel Charpilloz, Georges Membrez, Victor Beuchat, Roger Schaffter, Jean Chappuis, and Marc Jobin met in Porrentruy with the intention of creating a broad protest movement against the Bernese executive council.
On , the Jura Separatist Movement (MSJ) was established at the Hôtel de la Gare in Moutier, on the initiative of Daniel Charpilloz, Roland Béguelin, Roger Schaffter, and 19 others. Daniel Charpilloz became its first president, Roger Schaffter took the position of general secretary, and the movement's headquarters was established in Delémont. The MSJ openly advocated for the separation of the Jura territory from the canton of Bern and the creation of a new canton within the Swiss Confederation, comprising the seven districts of Delémont, Porrentruy, Franches-Montagnes, Moutier, Courtelary, La Neuveville, and Laufen.
Shortly thereafter, on , Roland Béguelin, Roger Schaffter, and Roger Chatelain founded the cooperative society Le Jura Libre. Roger Schaffter became its first editor-in-chief.
The Jura separatist movement sought to widely publicize its plan for cantonal separation among the entire population of Jura. To this end, it distributed leaflets, canvassed for support, and organized demonstrations. On February 18, 1948, it held the first Jura People's Festival, which subsequently became an annual event. On March 6, 1948, the MSJ held its first public demonstration in Sonceboz-Sombeval.
On , the Bernese authorities submit several proposals for amendments to the cantonal Constitution to address the emerging demands and defuse the Jura conflict. These proposals include the recognition of a "Jura people", respect for linguistic parity in administrative acts, the guarantee of Jura representation on the Bernese Executive Council, as well as constitutional protection measures for the region. These amendments are submitted to a vote on , and are accepted by votes to .
Despite this popular approval, the MSJ considers these reforms largely insufficient. To unite all Jura residents around the independence ideal, Roland Béguelin launches a rallying operation. With Roger Schaffter, he adapts the popular Ajoie song La Rauracienne, modifies the lyrics, and renames it La Nouvelle Rauracienne, which from then on becomes the anthem of the separatists.
Following the departure of Roger Schaffter, recently appointed director of the Swiss School in Genoa, the Central Committee of the Movement is reorganized: Pierre Billieux becomes general secretary, Adolf Walther accedes to the central vice-presidency, and Roland Béguelin takes over the editorship of Jura Libre.
On 9 September 1951, in an effort to affirm its apolitical and non-denominational character, the Jurassian separatist movement changed its name and became the Rassemblement jurassien (RJ).
Rassemblement jurassien (1951–1994) Having become the Rassemblement jurassien, the movement continued its actions in the 1950s with firmness but without aggression, affirming its desire to create a Republic and Canton of Jura in accordance with the principles of Swiss federalism.
As early as 1955, the RJ raised the possibility of launching an initiative, either federal or cantonal, on the right to self-determination for the seven Jurassian districts. A major obstacle arose, however: the case of the Laufen District, which had a German-speaking majority. The RJ then considered a special status for this district within a future Jurassian canton.
On 3 August 1957, the RJ announced the launch of a cantonal initiative "with a view to organizing in the Jura a popular consultation on the problem of autonomy". The initiative was officially launched on 1 September and collected 23,336 signatures before being deposited with the Bernese Chancellery. It was submitted to a popular vote in the canton of Bern on 5 July 1959.
The RJ then suffered an electoral setback: in the Jura itself, the initiative was rejected by 16,354 no votes against 15,163 yes votes, or 51.9% against 48.1%. At the level of the canton of Bern, the majority also opposed it, although three of the seven Jurassian districts voted in favor of the text. The RJ attributed this failure to the massive immigration of German-speakers during the 19th century, which it accused of having altered the demographic balance and influenced the vote. It also claimed that the vote had been conducted according to Bernese law, deemed unfavorable to the interests of the Jurassian people. Despite the failure, the movement reaffirmed its determination to continue the struggle.
Despite the failure of the 1959 initiative, the RJ did not give up. Under the impetus of its leaders, particularly Roland Béguelin, the movement underwent a profound restructuring. It intensified demonstrations and field actions, and resolutely focused on youth to renew its commitment.
In 1960, the RJ planned to launch four new cantonal initiatives aimed at improving living conditions in the Jura: the creation of a road traffic office in Tavannes, the establishment of a pilot farm in the Franches-Montagnes District, tax relief for families, as well as the abolition of the proxy voting system. These four initiatives were submitted to the people on 27 May 1962 and all rejected.
At the same time, the RJ founded several activist groups designed to mobilize different segments of the Jura population: young people joined the Béliers, university students engaged in the Mouvement universitaire jurassien (MUJ), women in the Association féminine pour la défense du Jura (AFDJ), and expatriates in the Association des Jurassiens de l’extérieur (AJE).
Since the early 1960s, the Jurassian delegation in the Bernese Grand Council has been advocating for a referendum on Jura autonomy. However, in September 1964, the Rassemblement jurassien came out against this move, arguing that such a plebiscite should not be organized by the canton of Bern, which the separatists were fighting against, but by the Swiss Confederation. Moreover, the RJ demanded voting rights for all Jura residents living outside the canton. It emphasized that organizing a plebiscite by the Canton of Bern would merely repeat the popular vote of 5 July 1959 and, consequently, announced that it would call on Jurassians to boycott this ballot and ignore its result.
From 1962, the period of the "years of embers" began, marked by an intensification of tensions between Jurassian separatists and supporters of integration into the Canton of Bern, reaching their peak. This era was characterized by scuffles, threats against political officials, boycotts of businesses and restaurants belonging to opponents, acts of vandalism, damage to flags, as well as protests and attacks targeting infrastructure.
On 17 March 1967, the Bernese Executive Council presented a plan aimed at resolving the Jura question. This plan provided that if negotiations on an autonomy status failed, a plebiscite could be organized to allow the Jurassian people to decide on their future: remain in the Canton of Bern or form a new canton. Separatist circles, however, believed that such a plebiscite could not resolve the Jurassian problem and insisted on the need for federal mediation. Faced with this possibility, the inhabitants of the German-speaking district of Laufen decided to seize the opportunity. Thus, a separatist movement, Laufen zu Basel, was created, advocating the attachment of this district to the neighboring canton of Basel-Landschaft. The Rassemblement jurassien, for its part, readjusted its objectives and accepted the idea of a Jura canton composed only of the six French-speaking districts, thereby abandoning the integration of the Laufen district. It recognized the right of self-determination of the inhabitants of Laufen and supported their right to decide on their future.