SwitzerlandDémocratie et fédéralisme 44 · Democracy and federalism
What was called the “magic formula” (formule magique) from 1959 onwards?
In the exam (French)
Qu'appelait-on, à partir de 1959, la « formule magique » ?
- aA fixed sharing of the seven seats of the Federal Council among the four largest partiesUne répartition fixe des sept sièges du Conseil fédéral entre les quatre plus grands partisCorrect answer
- bA calculation rule for sharing the seats of the National Council among the cantonsUne règle de calcul pour répartir les sièges du Conseil national entre les cantons
- cA rule that the Federal Council can decide only unanimouslyUne règle selon laquelle le Conseil fédéral ne peut décider qu'à l'unanimité
- dAn international treaty that guarantees Switzerland's neutralityUn traité international qui garantit la neutralité de la Suisse
Why?
From 1959 to 2003, the Free Democrats (PRD), the Christian Democrats (PDC) and the Social Democrats (PS) each had two seats on the Federal Council (Conseil fédéral), and the Swiss People's Party (UDC) had one seat (some of these parties had a different name at the time). This “magic formula” was an expression of concordance.
Translated with AI. In the exam the question is in French, as shown above.
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What does concordance mean in Swiss politics?Correct answer:The major parties govern together and look for compromises.
Que signifie la concordance dans la politique suisse ? — Les grands partis gouvernent ensemble et cherchent des compromis.
Démocratie et fédéralisme 46
Who holds judicial power at federal level?Correct answer:The Federal Supreme Court (Tribunal fédéral)
Qui exerce le pouvoir judiciaire au niveau fédéral ? — Le Tribunal fédéral
Démocratie et fédéralisme 47
What does Switzerland's neutrality mean?Correct answer:Switzerland does not take part in wars between other states.
Que signifie la neutralité de la Suisse ? — La Suisse ne prend pas part aux guerres entre d'autres États.
Démocratie et fédéralisme 48
Which organisation is Switzerland not a member of because of its neutrality?Correct answer:NATO
De quelle organisation la Suisse n'est-elle pas membre en raison de sa neutralité ? — L'OTAN
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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