16 January 2023
There is another player besides Switzerland’s parliament and government: the citizens. Referendums can always confront the (federal, cantonal and municipal) decision-makers with other points of view. The Constitution covers three types of federal referendums. (The cantons and municipalities have their referendums). Mandatory referendum A mandatory referendum (das obligatorische Referendum) has to take place if the … Read more » “The Referendum”
10 January 2023
Definition The National Council or Nationalrat (Volkskammer, Erste Kammer, Grosse Kammer) represents the people in the parliamentary system. It has powers identical to those of the Council of States (discussed in the previous contribution). The two hundred seats are distributed based on the proportionality of the votes obtained in the elections every four years. Seats The twenty-six … Read more » “The National Council”
8 January 2023
The parliamentary system consists of two chambers. This article focuses on the Council of States or Ständerat (Kantonskammer, Zweite Kammer, Kleine Kammer, Senate, Chambre de réflexion). The other chamber, the National Council, Nationalrat (or Volkskammer, Erste Kammer, Grosse Kammer), will be discussed in the next article. This contribution briefly reviews the history, role, and place in the constitutional system and the … Read more » “The Council of States”
