Further powers

Basis

Art. 173 Further duties and powers

1 The Federal Assembly has the following additional duties and powers:

a. Taking measures to safeguard external security and the independence and neutrality of Switzerland.

b. Taking measures to safeguard internal security.

c. If extraordinary circumstances require, issuing ordinances or simple federal decrees in order to fulfil its duties under letters (a) and (b).

d. Regulating active service and mobilising the armed forces or sections thereof for this purpose.

e. Taking measures to enforce federal law.

f. Ruling on the validity of popular initiatives that meet the formal requirements.

g. Participating in the general planning of state activities.

h. Deciding on individual acts where a federal act expressly so provides.

i. Deciding on conflicts of jurisdiction between the highest federal authorities.

k. Issuing pardons and deciding on amnesties.

2 The Federal Assembly also deals with matters that fall within the remit of the Confederation and are not the responsibility of any other authority.

3 Other duties and powers may be delegated by law to the Federal Assembly.

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 ↗