Swiss Passport

What is the parliament of the canton of Zurich called?

Wie heisst das Parlament im Kanton Zürich?

Correct answer: C

  1. A LandtagLandtag
  2. B Grand CouncilGrosser Rat
  3. C Cantonal Council (Kantonsrat)Kantonsrat
  4. D Cantonal Government (Regierungsrat)Regierungsrat

Why

The parliament of the canton of Zurich is called the Cantonal Council (Kantonsrat) and has 180 members.

Common mistakes

B: Grand Council
«Grand Council» (Grosser Rat) is the name of the parliament in other cantons, for example in Bern or Aargau.
D: Cantonal Government (Regierungsrat)
The Cantonal Government (Regierungsrat) is the government, not the parliament.
A: Landtag
Landtag is the name of the parliament in Germany and Liechtenstein.

Topic

Cantonal Council and Council of States

The parliament of the canton of Zurich is called the Cantonal Council (Kantonsrat). It is the legislature, that is the legislative power. The Cantonal Council has 180 members. It makes the cantonal laws and every year decides on the canton's budget. It also supervises the government and the administration. Some judges are also elected by the Cantonal Council.

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

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