What is the Confederation responsible for?
Für was ist der Bund zuständig?
Correct answer: B
- A for organising state schoolsfür die Organisation der Volksschule
- B for foreign policyfür die Aussenpolitik
- C for issuing building regulationsfür den Erlass von Bauordnungen
- D for electing cantonal judgesfür die Wahl der Kantonsrichterinnen und Kantonsrichter
Why
Switzerland acts as one country towards other states. That is why the Confederation is responsible for foreign policy.
Common mistakes
- A: for organising state schools
- State schools are a matter for the cantons and municipalities.
- C: for issuing building regulations
- Building regulations are issued by the cantons and municipalities.
- D: for electing cantonal judges
- Cantonal judges are elected by the canton, usually by the cantonal parliament or by the people.
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 61 of the official question list of the Canton of Zurich (Gemeindeamt, May 2025). Translation and explanation: Swiss Passport.