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.

The people often have the last word. A referendum can be called against a new law. This requires 50 000 signatures. Then the people vote on the law. That is why people say: the National Council, the Council of States and the people decide on laws. Elections and popular votes, on the other hand, are organised by the Federal Council, the Federal Chancellery and the cantons.

Parliament has other tasks too. It adopts the federal budget, which the Federal Council prepares. It approves international treaties and supervises the government. As the United Federal Assembly, that is in a joint session, the National Council and the Council of States elect the seven members of the Federal Council, the Federal Chancellor and the judges of the Federal Supreme Court.

Memory aid: Parliament makes laws. Together it elects the Federal Council and the Federal Supreme Court.