The Swiss Confederation, a brief guide
The brochure from the Federal Chancellery explains the Swiss political system and presents its most important authorities.
Voting rights for the Swiss abroad
How and on what conditions can Swiss expatriates participate in votes and elections?
Federal Council
The members of the federal government, their election, their duties .
Popular vote on 13 June 2021
Information on the next popular vote.
Who is entitled to vote in Switzerland? And who can take part in elections?
Our new video explains all.
How do you make a law?
Every country has its own laws, which are set by the legislature (parliament).
Federalism
The Confederation, cantons, communes: each have their own powers.
Petition
Who can start a petition and on what terms?
Voting rights for foreign nationals in Switzerland
Do you need to be a Swiss citizen to have political rights here?
Swiss cantons
What is the role of the 26 cantons and what are their powers in relation to the Confederation?
eVoting
Who can vote online? What conditions apply?
International laws
International law governs the relations between the countries of the world. When and under what conditions does international law apply in Switzerland
Political parties
Why do we need political parties? How are they established? How can you become a member?
What is a direct counter-proposal?
When a committee launches a popular initiative, Parliament can submit a counter-proposal.
Separation of powers
Executive, legislative and judiciary: three branches of state, each in different hands.
How do you launch a federal initiative?
When and how to launch an initiative at federal level.
How do you vote?
How to fill out a ballot paper for federal elections, step by step .
Swiss courts
Information about the judiciary at federal and cantonal levels.
Voting for the first time
If you have just reached the age of majority or have just obtained Swiss citizenship, here’s how to exercise your political rights.
Laws in Switzerland
What is a law? Who makes them, and who has to respect them? Information about federal and cantonal legislation.
How do you request a referendum?
When and how to request an optional referendum at federal level.
Referendum
The difference between a mandatory referendum and an optional referendum
Popular initiative
What is a popular initiative and how does it work?
Cantonal and communal initiative
The People can launch initiatives at cantonal and communal level.
Vote: majority
Popular majority and majority of the cantons
Terminology
ABC of political rights.
Cantonal councils
Role and composition of the cantonal executives.
Political rights
Taking part in elections and votes in Switzerland.
Cantonal courts
The judiciary in the different cantons.
Cantonal votes and elections
When will the next cantonal votes be held? When do we elect the members of the parliaments and councils of the 26 cantons ?
Parliament
The two chambers of the Federal Assembly, their composition and functions.
Voting materials for a federal vote
Did you not receive your voting materials? Did you make a mistake in completing the ballot paper? Do you need the materials in another language? This is what you need to do.
Federal and cantonal votes
Voting materials, proposals submitted to the vote, voting results: all the information you need at federal and cantonal levels.