Swiss Passport

Question 124 of 350 · Municipalities and the city of Zurich

Who runs the administration and plans the goals of public action in the city of Zurich?

Wer leitet die Verwaltung und plant die Ziele öffentlichen Handelns der Stadt Zürich?

Correct answer: B

  1. Athe City Chancellerydie Stadtkanzlei
  2. Bthe City Councilder Stadtrat
  3. Cthe residents' registration officedie Einwohnerkontrolle
  4. Dthe residents of the citydie Einwohnerinnen und Einwohner der Stadt

Why

The City Council (Stadtrat) is the government of the city of Zurich. It runs the administration and plans the political goals.

Common mistakes

A: the City Chancellery
The City Chancellery supports the City Council as a staff office, but it does not run the city.
D: the residents of the city
The residents elect the City Council, but they do not run the administration themselves.

Topic

Municipal assembly, municipal council, City Council

In the canton of Zurich there are 160 political municipalities (as of 2026). The learning brochures say «over 150». In the past there were more. Some municipalities have merged; this is called a municipal merger. The largest municipality is the city of Zurich; many others are small villages. In all municipalities, citizens have a say by taking part in elections and popular votes. The ballot papers are counted by the electoral office.

Canton and municipality of Zurich · Municipalities and the city of Zurich

Sources

Official question of the Canton of Zurich (Gemeindeamt, May 2025). Translation and explanation: Swiss Passport.