SwitzerlandDémocratie et fédéralisme 29 · Democracy and federalism
What is a consultation procedure?
In the exam (French)
Qu'est-ce qu'une procédure de consultation ?
- aThe Federal Supreme Court checks every new law before it can come into force.Le Tribunal fédéral contrôle chaque nouvelle loi avant qu'elle puisse entrer en vigueur.
- bCantons, parties and associations give their opinion on a draft before Parliament debates it.Cantons, partis et associations donnent leur avis sur un projet avant le débat au Parlement.Correct answer
- cThe people vote on a draft law even before the Federal Council has prepared it.Le peuple vote sur un projet de loi avant même que le Conseil fédéral l'ait préparé.
- dThe Federal Assembly publicly questions the members of the Federal Council about their work.L'Assemblée fédérale interroge publiquement les membres du Conseil fédéral sur leur travail.
Why?
In the consultation procedure (procédure de consultation), the Confederation invites the cantons, the parties and the groups concerned to give their views on important drafts (Art. 147 of the Federal Constitution). This way, many opinions are taken into account early in the making of a law.
Translated with AI. In the exam the question is in French, as shown above.
Check yourself
Would you know these too?
The same number of questions and the same pass mark as the real test, marked at once. Your first mock is free and needs no account.
Take a free mock examDémocratie et fédéralisme 30
In a federal vote, what determines the "majority of the cantons" (majorité des cantons)?Correct answer:The result of the popular vote in each canton
Lors d'une votation fédérale, qu'est-ce qui détermine la « majorité des cantons » ? — Le résultat du vote populaire dans chaque canton
Démocratie et fédéralisme 31
In a vote on an amendment to the Federal Constitution, 52% of voters say yes, but the majority of the cantons says no. What is the result?Correct answer:The proposal is rejected.
Lors d'une votation sur une modification de la Constitution fédérale, 52 % des votants disent oui, mais la majorité des cantons dit non. Quel est le résultat ? — L'objet est refusé.
Démocratie et fédéralisme 32
How many valid signatures are needed for a federal popular initiative, and within what time limit?Correct answer:100,000 signatures in 18 months
Combien de signatures valables faut-il pour une initiative populaire fédérale, et dans quel délai ? — 100 000 signatures en 18 mois
Démocratie et fédéralisme 33
What can be demanded with a federal popular initiative?Correct answer:An amendment to the Federal Constitution
Que peut-on demander par une initiative populaire fédérale ? — Une modification de la Constitution fédérale
Source
Our own practice questions, written in French on the facts of the Federal Constitution and official information from the Confederation and the cantons of Vaud and Geneva. They are not the questions of the cantonal tests, and no text from the official cantonal or communal lists is reused. Each question was written, answered blind and fact-checked in separate rounds. The English translation and the explanations are ours, made with AI help; in the test the questions are asked in French. We are not affiliated with the Confederation, the cantons or the communes.
Official informationTry it under exam conditions.
The same number of questions and the same pass mark as the real test, marked at once. Your first mock is free and needs no account.
The pass CHF 14.90 · 180 days of access for one payment — it never renews