SwitzerlandDemokratie und Föderalismus 29 · Democracy and federalism
What is a «Vernehmlassung»?
In the exam (German)
Was ist eine Vernehmlassung?
- aThe Federal Assembly questions the members of the Federal Council publicly about their work.Die Bundesversammlung befragt die Bundesratsmitglieder öffentlich zu ihrer Arbeit.
- bThe Federal Supreme Court examines every new law before it may come into force.Das Bundesgericht prüft jedes neue Gesetz, bevor es in Kraft treten darf.
- cThe people vote on a draft law before the Federal Council has even drawn it up.Das Volk stimmt über einen Gesetzesentwurf ab, bevor der Bundesrat ihn überhaupt ausarbeitet.
- dCantons, parties and associations give their views on a draft before parliament discusses it.Kantone, Parteien und Verbände nehmen zu einem Entwurf Stellung, bevor das Parlament ihn berät.Correct answer
Why?
In the consultation procedure (Vernehmlassung), the Confederation invites the cantons, the parties and interested groups to give their views on important proposals (Art. 147 of the Federal Constitution). This way, many opinions feed into a law at an early stage.
Translated with AI. In the exam the question is in German, as shown above.
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What does «Ständemehr» mean in a popular vote?Correct answer:The majority of the cantons approved the proposal.
Was bedeutet «Ständemehr» bei einer Volksabstimmung? — Die Mehrheit der Kantone hat der Vorlage zugestimmt.
Demokratie und Föderalismus 31
In a vote on an amendment to the Constitution, 52 per cent of voters say yes, but the majority of the cantons say no. What is the result?Correct answer:The proposal is rejected.
Bei einer Abstimmung über eine Verfassungsänderung sagen 52 Prozent der Stimmenden Ja, aber die Mehrheit der Kantone sagt Nein. Was ist das Resultat? — Die Vorlage ist abgelehnt.
Demokratie und Föderalismus 32
How many valid signatures does a federal popular initiative (Volksinitiative) need, and within what period?Correct answer:100,000 signatures within 18 months
Wie viele gültige Unterschriften braucht eine eidgenössische Volksinitiative, und innert welcher Frist? — 100 000 Unterschriften innert 18 Monaten
Demokratie und Föderalismus 33
What can you demand with a federal popular initiative (Volksinitiative)?Correct answer:An amendment to the Federal Constitution
Was kann man mit einer eidgenössischen Volksinitiative verlangen? — Eine Änderung der Bundesverfassung
Source
Our own practice questions on the facts of the Federal Constitution and the official information of the Confederation and the cantons of Zurich, Aargau and Bern. They are not the questions of the cantonal tests, and no wording from the cantonal question catalogues has been reused. Each question was written, answered blind and fact-checked in separate rounds. The English translation and the explanations are ours, made with AI; in the test the questions are in German. We are not affiliated with the Confederation, the cantons or the communes.
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