SwitzerlandDémocratie et fédéralisme 36 · Democracy and federalism
How can the cantons themselves call for a popular vote on a new federal law?
In the exam (French)
Comment les cantons eux-mêmes peuvent-ils demander une votation populaire sur une nouvelle loi fédérale ?
- aNever, this right belongs only to votersJamais, ce droit appartient aux seuls électeurs
- bIf at least eight cantons request the referendumSi au moins huit cantons demandent le référendumCorrect answer
- cIf a single canton requests a voteSi un seul canton demande une votation
- dIf half of the cantons bring the matter to the Federal Supreme CourtSi la moitié des cantons saisit le Tribunal fédéral
Why?
Besides 50,000 people with the right to vote, eight cantons can also request a referendum against a federal law (the cantonal referendum, référendum des cantons, Art. 141 of the Federal Constitution). This right is used only rarely.
Translated with AI. In the exam the question is in French, as shown above.
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Take a free mock examDémocratie et fédéralisme 37
Parliament puts forward a direct counter-proposal (contre-projet direct) to a popular initiative (initiative populaire). How can voters vote?Correct answer:They can accept both and say, in a tie-break question, which one they prefer.
Le Parlement oppose un contre-projet direct à une initiative populaire. Comment les électeurs peuvent-ils voter ? — Ils peuvent accepter les deux et dire, par une question subsidiaire, lequel ils préfèrent.
Démocratie et fédéralisme 38
What is the minimum number of voters who must take part in a federal vote for the result to be valid?Correct answer:There is no minimum turnout.
Combien d'électeurs doivent au moins participer à une votation fédérale pour que le résultat soit valable ? — Il n'y a pas de participation minimale.
Démocratie et fédéralisme 39
Who can take part in federal votes and elections?Correct answer:Swiss women and men aged 18 and over
Qui peut participer aux votations et aux élections fédérales ? — Les Suissesses et les Suisses dès 18 ans
Démocratie et fédéralisme 40
A Swiss woman has lived in Canada for years. Can she take part in federal votes?Correct answer:Yes, if she is registered with a Swiss representation abroad and on the electoral register.
Une Suissesse vit au Canada depuis des années. Peut-elle participer aux votations fédérales ? — Oui, si elle est immatriculée auprès d'une représentation suisse et inscrite au registre électoral.
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.
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