Confederation and cantons

Cantonal initiatives and the guarantee of the cantonal constitutions.

Basis

Art. 172 Relations between the Confederation and the Cantons
1 The Federal Assembly shall ensure the maintenance of good relations between the Confederation and the Cantons.
2 It shall guarantee the cantonal constitutions.
3 It shall decide whether to approve intercantonal agreements and treaties between Cantons and foreign countries where the Federal Council or a Canton raises an objection to any such treaty.

Federal Constitution (SR 101), version of 03.03.2024, from Fedlex – English is not an official language of Switzerland; the translation is for information only ↗

How it works

Cantonal initiativeA canton submits a proposal to the Confederation. The committees of both chambers decide whether to give it effect.
GuaranteeWhen a canton amends its constitution, the Federal Assembly guarantees it if it does not conflict with federal law.

In Parliament

All 61 items of business for this task →

Not an official publication. Names, figures and the texts of the votes appear unchanged, exactly as the Parliamentary Services publish them.