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Direct Democracy

Switzerland Switzerland

DD002

Direct Democracy Provisions (National Level)
Question:Are there any Legal Provisions for Direct Democracy Procedures at the national level?
Answer: a. Yes
Comments:
Source: Constitution Art. 138-141: Available online: https://www.admin.ch/opc/en/classified-compilation/19995395/201506140000/101.pdf (2015); Electoral Law of 17 December 1976 regulating political rights, Art. 10 - 15, 59 - 76: http://www.admin.ch/opc/en/classified-compilation/19760323/index.html (2014)
Verified: 2025/03/28
DD003

Mandatory referendums (national level)
Question:Are there any Legal Provisions for Mandatory Referendums at the national level?
Answer: a. Yes
Comments:
Source: Constitution, Art. 140: https://www.admin.ch/opc/en/classified-compilation/19995395/201506140000/101.pdf (2015); Electoral Law of 17 December 1976 regulating political rights, Art. 10 - 15, 58, 76: http://www.admin.ch/opc/en/classified-compilation/19760323/index.html (2014).
Verified: 2025/03/28
DD004

Optional referendums (national level)
Question:Are there any Legal Provisions for Optional Referendums at the national level?
Answer: a. Yes
Comments:
Source: Constitution, Art. 141: https://www.admin.ch/opc/en/classified-compilation/19995395/201506140000/101.pdf (2014) Electoral Law of 17 December 1976 regulating political rights, Art. 10 - 15, 59, 76: http://www.admin.ch/opc/en/classified-compilation/19760323/index.html (2014).
Verified: 2025/03/28
DD005

Citizens' Initiatives (national level)
Question:Are there any Legal Provisions for Citizen’s Initiatives at national level?
Answer: a. Yes
Comments:
Source: Constitution, Art. 138, 139: https://www.admin.ch/opc/en/classified-compilation/19995395/201506140000/101.pdf (2015) Electoral Law of 17 December 1976 regulating political rights, Art. 10 - 15, 59, 68-76: http://www.admin.ch/opc/en/classified-compilation/19760323/index.html (2014).
Verified: 2025/03/28
DD006

Agenda Initiatives (national level)
Question:Are there any Legal Provisions for Agenda Initiatives at national level?
Answer: b. No
Comments:
Source: Constitution, Art. 138 - 141: https://www.admin.ch/opc/en/classified-compilation/19995395/201506140000/101.pdf (2015)
Verified: 2025/03/28
DD007


Question:Are there any Legal Provisions for Recalls at national level?
Answer: b. No
Comments:
Source: Constitution, Art. 138 - 141: https://www.admin.ch/opc/en/classified-compilation/19995395/201506140000/101.pdf (2015)
Verified: 2025/03/28
DD129


Question:Are the results of referenda always binding, never binding or sometimes binding?
Answer: a. Always binding
Comments:
Source: Constitution, Art. 140, 141, 142, 195: https://www.admin.ch/opc/en/classified-compilation/19995395/201506140000/101.pdf (2015)
Verified: 2025/03/28
DD130


Question:Are the types of issues to vote upon in a referendum constitutional changes only, other issues only or both constitutional and other issues?
Answer: c. Both constitutional and other issues
Comments:
Source: Constitution, Art. 140, 141, 142: https://www.admin.ch/opc/en/classified-compilation/19995395/201506140000/101.pdf (2015)
Verified: 2025/03/28
DD131


Question:Are there any Legal Provisions for Direct Democracy at sub-national levels (regional or local)?
Answer: a. Yes
Comments:
Source: Electoral Law of 17 December 1976 Regulating political rights, Art. 67, 67a, 67b: http://www.admin.ch/opc/en/classified-compilation/19760323/index.html (2014)
Verified: 2025/03/28
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