What is an important task of the Confederation?
Was ist eine wichtige Aufgabe des Bundes?
Correct answer: B
- A It finances the manufacture of cars.Er finanziert die Herstellung von Autos.
- B It ensures the protection of the environment.Er sorgt für den Schutz der Umwelt.
- C It sets the key interest rates of the National Bank.Er bestimmt die Leitzinsen der Nationalbank.
- D It runs its own power stations.Er unterhält eigene Elektrizitätswerke.
Why
Environmental problems such as air pollution do not stop at the cantonal border. That is why the Confederation makes laws to protect the environment.
Common mistakes
- C: It sets the key interest rates of the National Bank.
- The National Bank sets the key interest rates itself. It is independent of the Federal Council and Parliament.
- D: It runs its own power stations.
- Power stations mostly belong to cantons, municipalities or companies, not to the Confederation.
Topic
In federalism each level has its own tasks. The Confederation only does what the Federal Constitution expressly allows it to do. These are mainly tasks that must be the same for the whole country. All other tasks belong to the cantons. The cantons pass some tasks on to the municipalities.
Confederation
1
Foreign policy · Monetary policy · Customs · Social security
Canton
26 = 20 + 6
Halbkanton: former name for the 6 cantons with only half a cantonal vote, for example Basel-Stadt.
Municipality
≈ 2,200 (2021)
What happens at the border or applies to the whole country (army, customs, foreign policy, franc) is done by the Confederation. What happens on your doorstep (school, police, water, fire service) is done by the canton and the municipality.
How the state works
Federalism: Confederation, cantons, municipalities
Sources
Last checked: September 2026
Question 54 of the official question list of the Canton of Zurich (Gemeindeamt, May 2025). Translation and explanation: Swiss Passport.