SwitzerlandDemokratie und Föderalismus 35 · Democracy and federalism
On what must the people and the cantons always vote (mandatory referendum, obligatorisches Referendum)?
In the exam (German)
Worüber müssen Volk und Stände immer abstimmen (obligatorisches Referendum)?
- aOn every new federal lawÜber jedes neue Bundesgesetz
- bOn the Confederation's annual budgetÜber das jährliche Budget des Bundes
- cOn every amendment to the Federal ConstitutionÜber jede Änderung der BundesverfassungCorrect answer
- dOn the election of the federal judgesÜber die Wahl der Bundesrichter
Why?
Every amendment to the Federal Constitution automatically goes to the people and the cantons, without collecting signatures (Art. 140 of the Federal Constitution). The same applies to joining an organisation for collective security or a supranational community, and to certain urgent federal laws that have no basis in the Constitution. Against an ordinary federal law, on the other hand, 50,000 signatures are needed (optional referendum).
Translated with AI. In the exam the question is in German, as shown above.
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Take a free mock examDemokratie und Föderalismus 36
How can the cantons themselves demand a popular vote on a new federal law?Correct answer:If at least eight cantons call for a referendum
Wie können die Kantone selbst eine Volksabstimmung über ein neues Bundesgesetz verlangen? — Wenn mindestens acht Kantone das Referendum ergreifen
Demokratie und Föderalismus 37
Parliament puts a direct counter-proposal (direkter Gegenvorschlag) against a popular initiative (Volksinitiative). How can the voters vote?Correct answer:They may approve both proposals and say in a tie-break question which one they prefer.
Das Parlament stellt einer Volksinitiative einen direkten Gegenvorschlag gegenüber. Wie können die Stimmberechtigten abstimmen? — Sie dürfen beiden Vorlagen zustimmen und in einer Stichfrage sagen, welche sie vorziehen.
Demokratie und Föderalismus 38
What is the minimum number of voters who must take part in a federal vote (eidgenössische Abstimmung) for the result to be valid?Correct answer:There is no minimum turnout.
Wie viele Stimmberechtigte müssen mindestens an einer eidgenössischen Abstimmung teilnehmen, damit das Ergebnis gilt? — Es gibt keine Mindestbeteiligung.
Demokratie und Föderalismus 39
Who may take part in federal votes and elections?Correct answer:Swiss citizens aged 18 and over
Wer darf bei eidgenössischen Abstimmungen und Wahlen mitmachen? — Schweizerinnen und Schweizer ab 18 Jahren
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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