The number of communes is falling: many of the smaller ones are no longer viable and have found themselves obliged to merge with their neighbours.

Many people today believe the system needs a thorough overhaul, but proposals to merge smaller communes often run into stiff opposition. Some of this comes from communes with low tax rates. Paradoxically these are the richest areas, because they attract high earners; not surprisingly they do not want to be burdened by the liabilities of poorer neighbours, or to lose the incentive which attracts their wealthy residents.

However, in other cases mergers are welcomed. In a surprise vote in 2006, for example, voters in Glarus decided decided to reduce the number of communes in the canton from 25 to three. The cantonal government had called for ten.