SwitzerlandDemokratie und Föderalismus 44 · Democracy and federalism
What was called the "magic formula" (Zauberformel) from 1959 onwards?
In the exam (German)
Was bezeichnete man ab 1959 als «Zauberformel»?
- aA calculation rule used to divide the National Council seats among the cantonsEine Rechenregel, mit der die Nationalratssitze auf die Kantone verteilt werden
- bA fixed division of the seven Federal Council seats among the four largest partiesEine feste Verteilung der sieben Bundesratssitze auf die vier grössten ParteienCorrect answer
- cAn international treaty that guarantees Switzerland's neutralityEinen internationalen Vertrag, der die Neutralität der Schweiz garantiert
- dA rule that the Federal Council may only take decisions unanimouslyEine Regel, nach der der Bundesrat nur einstimmig entscheiden darf
Why?
From 1959 to 2003, the FDP, CVP and SP each had two seats in the Federal Council (Bundesrat) and the SVP had one (some of these parties had different names at the time). This "magic formula" was an expression of concordance (Konkordanz).
Translated with AI. In the exam the question is in German, as shown above.
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What does concordance (Konkordanz) mean in Swiss politics?Correct answer:The large parties govern together and look for compromises.
Was bedeutet Konkordanz in der Schweizer Politik? — Die grossen Parteien regieren gemeinsam und suchen Kompromisse.
Demokratie und Föderalismus 46
Who holds judicial power (Judikative) at the federal level?Correct answer:The Federal Supreme Court (Bundesgericht)
Wer übt auf Bundesebene die richterliche Gewalt (Judikative) aus? — Das Bundesgericht
Demokratie und Föderalismus 47
What does Switzerland's neutrality (Neutralität) mean?Correct answer:Switzerland does not take part in wars between other countries.
Was bedeutet die Neutralität der Schweiz? — Die Schweiz beteiligt sich nicht an Kriegen zwischen anderen Staaten.
Demokratie und Föderalismus 48
Which organisation is Switzerland not a member of because of its neutrality?Correct answer:NATO
Bei welcher Organisation ist die Schweiz wegen ihrer Neutralität nicht Mitglied? — NATO
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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