Swiss Passport

What is the executive called in the canton of Zurich?

Wie heisst die Exekutive im Kanton Zürich?

Correct answer: B

  1. A LandammannLandammann
  2. B Cantonal GovernmentRegierungsrat
  3. C Council of StatesStänderat
  4. D There is no executive.Es gibt keine Exekutive.

Why

The executive is the government. In the canton of Zurich it is called the Cantonal Government (Regierungsrat).

Common mistakes

C: Council of States
The Council of States is a chamber of the Federal Parliament, so it is legislative and not cantonal.
A: Landammann
In some other cantons, the person who chairs the government is called the Landammann.

Topic

Cantonal Government and directorates

The government of the canton of Zurich is called the Cantonal Government (Regierungsrat). It is the executive, that is the executive power. The Cantonal Government has 7 members. They work full-time. Each member heads a directorate. A directorate is a large part of the cantonal administration, similar to a ministry.

Separation of powers

The three powers control each other.

Legislature

Legislative

makes the laws

Confederation

Federal Assembly

Bundesversammlung

National Council 200 + Council of States 46

Canton of Zurich

Cantonal Council

Kantonsrat

180 members

Executive

Exekutive

carries out the laws

Confederation

Federal Council

Bundesrat

7 members

Canton of Zurich

Cantonal Government

Regierungsrat

7 members

Judiciary

Judikative

judges according to the law

Confederation

Federal Supreme Court

Bundesgericht

Lausanne

Canton of Zurich

Courts

Fourth power the media, which observe politics and the authorities critically.

Canton and municipality of Zurich
Zurich: politics

Sources

Last checked: September 2026

Question 109 of the official question list of the Canton of Zurich (Gemeindeamt, May 2025). Translation and explanation: Swiss Passport.

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