What is the central task of the Federal Assembly (Federal Parliament)?
Was ist die zentrale Aufgabe der Bundesversammlung (Bundesparlament)?
Correct answer: B
- A It organises elections and popular votes.Sie organisiert Wahlen und Abstimmungen.
- B It debates and passes laws.Sie berät und beschliesst Gesetze.
- C It runs the government business of Switzerland.Sie führt die Regierungsgeschäfte in der Schweiz.
- D It delivers court judgments at last instance.Sie fällt Gerichtsurteile in letzter Instanz.
Why
Parliament is the legislative power (legislature). Its main task is to debate and pass laws.
Common mistakes
- C: It runs the government business of Switzerland.
- Government business is run by the Federal Council, not by Parliament.
- D: It delivers court judgments at last instance.
- Judgments at last instance are delivered by the Federal Supreme Court.
- A: It organises elections and popular votes.
- Elections and popular votes are organised by the Federal Chancellery, the cantons and the municipalities, not by Parliament.
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 37 of the official question list of the Canton of Zurich (Gemeindeamt, May 2025). Translation and explanation: Swiss Passport.