Swiss Passport

Question 61 of 350 · Federalism: Confederation, cantons, municipalities

What is the Confederation responsible for?

Für was ist der Bund zuständig?

Correct answer: B

  1. Afor organising state schoolsfür die Organisation der Volksschule
  2. Bfor foreign policyfür die Aussenpolitik
  3. Cfor issuing building regulationsfür den Erlass von Bauordnungen
  4. Dfor electing cantonal judgesfür die Wahl der Kantonsrichterinnen und Kantonsrichter

Why

Switzerland acts as one country towards other states. That is why the Confederation is responsible for foreign policy.

Common mistakes

A: for organising state schools
State schools are a matter for the cantons and municipalities.
C: for issuing building regulations
Building regulations are issued by the cantons and municipalities.
D: for electing cantonal judges
Cantonal judges are elected by the canton, usually by the cantonal parliament or by the people.

Topic

Tasks of the Confederation

In federalism each level has its own tasks. The Confederation only does what the Federal Constitution expressly allows it to do. These are mainly tasks that must be the same for the whole country. All other tasks belong to the cantons. The cantons pass some tasks on to the municipalities.

How the state works · Federalism: Confederation, cantons, municipalities

Sources

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