Swiss Passport

Question 26 of 350 · The Federal Parliament

Who decides on new laws at federal level?

Wer beschliesst auf Bundesebene neue Gesetze?

Correct answer: C

  1. Athe Federal Supreme Courtdas Bundesgericht
  2. Bthe party presidentsdie Präsidentinnen und Präsidenten der Parteien
  3. Cthe National Council, the Council of States and the people (referendum)der Nationalrat und der Ständerat und das Volk (Referendum)
  4. Dthe Federal Chancellerydie Bundeskanzlei

Why

The National Council and the Council of States pass new laws. With a referendum, the people can then still vote on them and so have the last word.

Common mistakes

A: the Federal Supreme Court
The Federal Supreme Court applies laws. It does not pass new laws.
D: the Federal Chancellery
The Federal Chancellery supports the Federal Council and organises popular votes. It does not pass laws.

Topic

What Parliament does

The most important task of the Federal Assembly is legislation. The National Council and the Council of States debate and pass the federal laws. Both chambers must approve a law. In this way Parliament decides on most new laws. The Federal Council proposes laws, but it does not pass them. The Federal Supreme Court applies laws, but it does not make them.

How the state works · The Federal Parliament

Sources

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