SwitzerlandDémocratie et fédéralisme 37 · Democracy and federalism
Parliament puts forward a direct counter-proposal (contre-projet direct) to a popular initiative (initiative populaire). How can voters vote?
In the exam (French)
Le Parlement oppose un contre-projet direct à une initiative populaire. Comment les électeurs peuvent-ils voter ?
- aThey can accept only one of the two texts; otherwise their ballot is invalid.Ils ne peuvent accepter qu'un des deux textes, sinon leur bulletin est nul.
- bThey vote only on the counter-proposal, because the initiative is then withdrawn.Ils votent seulement sur le contre-projet, car l'initiative est alors retirée.
- cThey can accept both and say, in a tie-break question, which one they prefer.Ils peuvent accepter les deux et dire, par une question subsidiaire, lequel ils préfèrent.Correct answer
- dThey do not vote, because the Federal Council chooses one of the two texts.Ils ne votent pas, car le Conseil fédéral choisit l'un des deux textes.
Why?
Since 1987, a “double yes” has been allowed. The tie-break question (question subsidiaire) lets voters say which text should come into force if both are accepted (Art. 139b of the Federal Constitution).
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 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.
Démocratie et fédéralisme 41
What about the right of foreign nationals to vote in Switzerland?Correct answer:Not at federal level; some cantons and municipalities grant it to them at their own level.
Qu'en est-il du droit de vote des personnes étrangères en Suisse ? — Pas au niveau fédéral ; certains cantons et communes le leur accordent pour leur niveau.
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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