Who decides on new laws at federal level?
Wer beschliesst auf Bundesebene neue Gesetze?
Correct answer: C
- A the Federal Supreme Courtdas Bundesgericht
- B the party presidentsdie Präsidentinnen und Präsidenten der Parteien
- C the National Council, the Council of States and the people (referendum)der Nationalrat und der Ständerat und das Volk (Referendum)
- D the Federal Chancellerydie Bundeskanzlei
Why
The National Council and the Council of States pass new laws. With a referendum, the people can then still vote on them and so have the last word.
Common mistakes
- A: the Federal Supreme Court
- The Federal Supreme Court applies laws. It does not pass new laws.
- D: the Federal Chancellery
- The Federal Chancellery supports the Federal Council and organises popular votes. It does not pass laws.
Topic
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.
200
Nationalrat
National Council: the large chamber with 200 members. It represents the people.
46
Ständerat
Council of States: the small chamber with 46 members. It represents the cantons.
- Cantons: 2 seats each
- Former half-cantons: 1 seat each
200 + 46 = 246
Vereinigte Bundesversammlung
United Federal Assembly: the National Council and the Council of States in a joint session. Parliament makes laws. Together it elects the Federal Council and the Federal Supreme Court.
How the state works
The Federal Parliament
Sources
Last checked: September 2026
Question 26 of the official question list of the Canton of Zurich (Gemeindeamt, May 2025). Translation and explanation: Swiss Passport.