Who decides on a large part of new laws at federal level?
Wer beschliesst ein Grossteil der neuen Gesetze auf Bundesebene?
Correct answer: C
- A the Federal Supreme Courtdas Bundesgericht
- B the cantonsdie Kantone
- C the National Council and the Council of Statesder Nationalrat und der Ständerat
- D the Federal Councilder Bundesrat
Why
Most laws are passed by Parliament and are not put to the people. The people only vote if a referendum is called.
The official German text says «ein Grossteil»; correct German is «einen Grossteil». We show the text as the canton published it.
Common mistakes
- D: the Federal Council
- The Federal Council proposes laws and implements them. But Parliament must pass them.
- B: the cantons
- The cantons make cantonal laws. Federal laws are passed by the Federal 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 47 of the official question list of the Canton of Zurich (Gemeindeamt, May 2025). Translation and explanation: Swiss Passport.