Who holds legislative power (the legislature) at federal level?

Laws are debated and passed by the National Council and the Council of States. That is why the Federal Parliament holds legislative power.

Common mistakes

A: the Federal Council

The Federal Council is the government, that is, the executive power. It proposes laws, but it does not pass them.

D: the Federal Supreme Court

The Federal Supreme Court is the judicial power. It applies laws, but it does not make them.

Legislature, executive, judiciary (and the media)

In Switzerland the power of the state is divided among three branches. This is called the separation of powers. In German the word «Gewalt» here does not mean violence but power. No person and no authority should have all the power. The branches control each other. This prevents abuse of power. The separation of powers exists at all three levels of government: in the Confederation, in the cantons and in the municipalities.

How the state works
Separation of powers

Sources

• stadt-zuerich.ch
• ch.ch

Last checked: September 2026

Question 69 of the official question list of the Canton of Zurich (Gemeindeamt, May 2025). Translation and explanation: Swiss Passport.

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