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Direct Democracy of Switzerland

The document summarizes key aspects of direct democracy in Switzerland. It outlines that the Swiss constitution can only be changed through majority approval in a referendum of both voters and a majority of cantons. It also describes the process that proposed laws go through, including opportunities for public comment, debate in parliament, and the ability of citizens to demand a referendum through petition. Finally, it notes that referendums on new laws and constitutional changes are frequent in Switzerland and that citizens can also propose constitutional changes through popular initiatives.

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Hardik Anand
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748 views5 pages

Direct Democracy of Switzerland

The document summarizes key aspects of direct democracy in Switzerland. It outlines that the Swiss constitution can only be changed through majority approval in a referendum of both voters and a majority of cantons. It also describes the process that proposed laws go through, including opportunities for public comment, debate in parliament, and the ability of citizens to demand a referendum through petition. Finally, it notes that referendums on new laws and constitutional changes are frequent in Switzerland and that citizens can also propose constitutional changes through popular initiatives.

Uploaded by

Hardik Anand
Copyright
© © All Rights Reserved
We take content rights seriously. If you suspect this is your content, claim it here.
Available Formats
Download as PPTX, PDF, TXT or read online on Scribd
  • Direct democracy of Switzerland: Title page for the document, introducing the topic of Switzerland's direct democracy.
  • Brief facts: Explains the foundation of the Swiss constitution regarding federal legislation and its impact on direct democracy.
  • Steps to make laws: Describes the procedure for drafting and passing laws in Switzerland, including the role of the electorate.
  • Frequent referendums: Detailing how referendums can instigate changes to constitutions and laws, emphasizing citizen participation.
  • Popular Initiative: Explains how citizens can initiate constitutional changes by gathering a set number of signatures.

Direct democracy of Switzerland

Brief facts
• The Swiss constitution defines in some detail all areas subject to federal
legislation. Anything not explicitly mentioned is left to the legislation of the
cantons (federal states).
Therefore it is necessary to update the constitution from time to time to take
account of changes in society and technology that demand for standardised
solutions throughout the country.
The Swiss constitution may be changed only if an overall majority of the
electorate agrees in a referendum and if the electorate of a majority of the
cantons agrees, too. The latter is sometimes just a little more difficult because
it means that the rather conservative electorate of smaller rural cantons must
be convinced as well.
Nevertheless, minor changes to the Swiss constitution are quite frequent
without affecting the basic ideas nor the stability of 
Switzerland's Political System. To the contrary: Direct Democracy is the key to
Switzerland's famous political stability.
Steps to make laws
•  A first draft is prepared by experts in the federal administration.
2) This draft is presented to a large number of people in a formalized kind of
opinion poll: Cantonal governments, political parties as well as many non-
governmental organisations and associations of the civil society may comment
on the draft and propose changes.
3) The result is presented to dedicated parliamentary commissions of both
chambers of the federal parliament, discussed in detail behind closed doors
and finally debated in public sessions of both chambers of parliament.
Members of parliament do take into account the results of step 2, because if
the fail to do so, step 4 will be inevitable.
4) The electorate has a veto-right on laws: If anybody is able to find 50,000
citizens signing a form demanding for a referendum within 3 months, a
referendum must be held. Laws do only need to find a majority of the national
electorate to pass a referendum, not a majority of cantons. Referendums on
more than a dozen laws per year are not unusual in Switzerland.
Frequent referendums
• Frequent referendums on minor changes to
the federal or cantonal constitutions, new or
changed laws, budgets etc,
- referendums on constitutional changes are
mandatory
- referendums on laws are "facultative" (only if
50,000 citizens, i.e. roughly 1.2% of the
electorate, demand for it)
Popular Initiative:
• 100,000 citizens (roughly 2.5% of the electorate)
may demand for a change of the constitution by
signing a form. The federal parliament is obliged
to discuss the initiative, it may decide to
recommend or to reject the initiative or it may
propose an alternative. Whatever they choose
to do, all citizens will finally decide in a
referendum whether to accept the initiative, the
alternate proposal or stay without change.

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