Question 59 of 350 · Federalism: Confederation, cantons, municipalities
Switzerland is a federal state with three levels of government. What is the lowest level?
Die Schweiz ist ein föderalistischer Staat mit drei Staatsebenen. Was ist die unterste Ebene?
Correct answer: B
Why
The municipality is the level closest to the people. That is why it is the lowest of the three levels of government.
Common mistakes
- C: the district
- Districts exist only in some cantons. They are administrative areas of the canton, not a separate level of government.
- A: the canton
- The canton is the middle level, between the Confederation and the municipality.
Topic
Three levels of government and 26 cantons
Switzerland is a federal state. Federalism means: power is distributed across several levels. Switzerland has three levels of government. The highest level is the Confederation, that is the whole of Switzerland. The middle level is the cantons. The lowest level is the municipalities. Each level has its own tasks, its own authorities and levies its own taxes.
How the state works · Federalism: Confederation, cantons, municipalities
Sources
Official question of the Canton of Zurich (Gemeindeamt, May 2025). Translation and explanation: Swiss Passport.