Swiss Direct Democracy
A form of Direct Democracy is alive and well, right now, in Europe. Direct Democracy was introduced at federal level in Switzerland in 1848, although in some Swiss cantons (states in the Swiss confederacy model) forms of Direct Democracy have been used since the thirteenth century.
A form of Direct Democracy is alive and well, right now, in Europe. Direct Democracy was introduced at federal level in Switzerland in 1848, although in some Swiss cantons (states in the Swiss confederacy model) forms of Direct Democracy have been used since the thirteenth century.
In Out of the Wreckage, George Monbiot writes:
In Out of the Wreckage, George Monbiot writes:
In a survey of the forty rich nations, the Organisation for Economic Cooperation and Development found that, on average, 42% of people express 'confidence in government'. But in Switzerland, which came first, the rate was 75%. In the seven years since the previous survey, confidence levels had risen there by 12 points, while they had fallen by an average of 3% elsewhere.
What possible reason might Swiss citizens have to vest so much confidence in their public institutions? It is simple: to a greater extent than the people of any other nation, they exercise control over them. The great constitutional question - where should sovereignty reside, in parliament or the people? has been decisively resolved in favour of the people.
The overall effect, as the Swiss diplomat Simon Geissbühler reports, is to encourage public engagement with politics, high levels of political information, and reasoned debate. Still more important is the sense of political ownership the system fosters: people perceive that government belongs to them. This is how trust in politics is earned.
The origins of Switzerland's modern system of Direct Democracy with formalised polls and regular referendums lie in an experimental phase of democracy in the 19th century when Switzerland was surrounded by monarchies on the European continent that showed little enthusiasm for democracy.
The origins of Switzerland's modern system of Direct Democracy with formalised polls and regular referendums lie in an experimental phase of democracy in the 19th century when Switzerland was surrounded by monarchies on the European continent that showed little enthusiasm for democracy.
Several Direct Democracy mechanisms can be used at federal level in Switzerland. The mechanisms fall into two broad categories: referendums and initiatives. Each mechanism can be used to achieve different results and has different design features.
Several Direct Democracy mechanisms can be used at federal level in Switzerland. The mechanisms fall into two broad categories: referendums and initiatives. Each mechanism can be used to achieve different results and has different design features.
Popular initiative
Popular initiative
The popular initiative gives citizens the right to propose an amendment or addition to the Constitution. It acts to drive or launch a political debate on a specific issue. For such an initiative to come about, the signatures of 100,000 voters who support the proposal must be collected within 18 months. The authorities sometimes respond to an initiative with a direct counter-proposal in the hope that a majority of the people and the cantons support that instead. The Federal Council and Parliament will recommend whether the proposal should be accepted or rejected. For the proposal to be accepted a double majority is needed. If it is accepted, new legislation or an amendment to existing legislation is normally required to implement the new constitutional provision.
The popular initiative gives citizens the right to propose an amendment or addition to the Constitution. It acts to drive or launch a political debate on a specific issue. For such an initiative to come about, the signatures of 100,000 voters who support the proposal must be collected within 18 months. The authorities sometimes respond to an initiative with a direct counter-proposal in the hope that a majority of the people and the cantons support that instead. The Federal Council and Parliament will recommend whether the proposal should be accepted or rejected. For the proposal to be accepted a double majority is needed. If it is accepted, new legislation or an amendment to existing legislation is normally required to implement the new constitutional provision.
Optional referendum
Optional referendum
The optional referendum allows the people to demand that any bill approved by the Federal Assembly is put to a nationwide vote. In order to bring about a national referendum, 50,000 valid signatures must be collected within 100 days of publication of the new legislation. If the majority vote no - against a change to a law - the current law continues to apply. This type of referendum was introduced in 1874. Since then, 180 optional referendums have been held.
The optional referendum allows the people to demand that any bill approved by the Federal Assembly is put to a nationwide vote. In order to bring about a national referendum, 50,000 valid signatures must be collected within 100 days of publication of the new legislation. If the majority vote no - against a change to a law - the current law continues to apply. This type of referendum was introduced in 1874. Since then, 180 optional referendums have been held.
Mandatory referendum
Mandatory referendum
All constitutional amendments approved by parliament are subject to a mandatory referendum, i.e. they must be put to a nationwide popular vote. The electorate are also required to approve Swiss membership of specific international organisations. A double majority, meaning the consent of a majority of the people and of the cantons is required to amend the country's constitution.
All constitutional amendments approved by parliament are subject to a mandatory referendum, i.e. they must be put to a nationwide popular vote. The electorate are also required to approve Swiss membership of specific international organisations. A double majority, meaning the consent of a majority of the people and of the cantons is required to amend the country's constitution.
○ The legal framework enables all Swiss citizens over the age of 18 to vote on how the country is run.
○ The legal framework enables all Swiss citizens over the age of 18 to vote on how the country is run.
○ Switzerland has a population of 8.6 million people, of which 25% are foreign nationals, spread across 26 cantons.
○ Switzerland has a population of 8.6 million people, of which 25% are foreign nationals, spread across 26 cantons.
○ The Swiss electorate are called on approximately four times a year to exercise their democratic right and vote on an average of 15 federal proposals.
○ The Swiss electorate are called on approximately four times a year to exercise their democratic right and vote on an average of 15 federal proposals.
○ The fundamental principle of Direct Democracy is that all citizens take part in decision-making and there's a strong respect for minorities.
○ The fundamental principle of Direct Democracy is that all citizens take part in decision-making and there's a strong respect for minorities.
○ There are three ways to cast a vote: by postal voting (the most popular option), at the ballot box, and, in some cantons, electronically (e-voting).
○ There are three ways to cast a vote: by postal voting (the most popular option), at the ballot box, and, in some cantons, electronically (e-voting).
○ In the canton of Appenzell Innerrhoden, the People's Assembly (Landsgemeinde) still chooses its representative in the Council of States by a show of hands.
○ In the canton of Appenzell Innerrhoden, the People's Assembly (Landsgemeinde) still chooses its representative in the Council of States by a show of hands.
© Adrian Sulc
○ The government, also called Federal Council, is the executive power. It is composed of seven Federal Councillors from several Swiss political parties, which are elected by the Federal Assembly every four years and share the duties of a head of state.
○ The government, also called Federal Council, is the executive power. It is composed of seven Federal Councillors from several Swiss political parties, which are elected by the Federal Assembly every four years and share the duties of a head of state.
○ Federal Councillors rotate and every year one takes on the role of president.
○ Federal Councillors rotate and every year one takes on the role of president.
○ The Swiss political scene is dominated by four main parties: the Swiss People's Party, the Social Democrats, the Liberals and the Christian Democratic Party. In recent years, the Green Party has emerged, as well as a small number of minority parties.
○ The Swiss political scene is dominated by four main parties: the Swiss People's Party, the Social Democrats, the Liberals and the Christian Democratic Party. In recent years, the Green Party has emerged, as well as a small number of minority parties.
○ In 2016, a popular initiative to give everyone in the country a basic income made it to the referendum stage, but was rejected by 76.9% of voters. A popular initiative proposing six weeks of holiday a year for workers was also rejected at the polls.
○ In 2016, a popular initiative to give everyone in the country a basic income made it to the referendum stage, but was rejected by 76.9% of voters. A popular initiative proposing six weeks of holiday a year for workers was also rejected at the polls.
○ In 2017, Swiss voters were called to vote in referendums on three occasions. The average overall turnout out was around 45%.
○ In 2017, Swiss voters were called to vote in referendums on three occasions. The average overall turnout out was around 45%.
○ Individual issues can attract greater turnout, however. Nearly 55 percent of voters took part in a referendum calling for compulsory television licenses to be scrapped, with the majority rejecting the move that would have cut funds to the national broadcaster.
○ Individual issues can attract greater turnout, however. Nearly 55 percent of voters took part in a referendum calling for compulsory television licenses to be scrapped, with the majority rejecting the move that would have cut funds to the national broadcaster.
○ Popular votes can be held up to four times a year. The Federal Council decides a couple of months in advance which proposals will be voted on and releases the dates of the votes even earlier. Currently all the dates have been fixed from now until 2034.
○ Popular votes can be held up to four times a year. The Federal Council decides a couple of months in advance which proposals will be voted on and releases the dates of the votes even earlier. Currently all the dates have been fixed from now until 2034.
Given the numerous opportunities for using Direct Democracy in Switzerland, it is perhaps not surprising that the variety of issues on which referendums are held is extremely wide. Since 1990, referendums have been held on such diverse issues as:
Given the numerous opportunities for using Direct Democracy in Switzerland, it is perhaps not surprising that the variety of issues on which referendums are held is extremely wide. Since 1990, referendums have been held on such diverse issues as:
○ Banning the building of nuclear power stations
○ Banning the building of nuclear power stations
○ Building new Alpine railways
○ Building new Alpine railways
○ A new federal constitution
○ A new federal constitution
○ Controlling immigration
○ Controlling immigration
○ Abolishing the army
○ Abolishing the army
○ Joining the United Nations
○ Joining the United Nations
○ Shortening working hours
○ Shortening working hours
○ Opening up electricity markets
○ Opening up electricity markets
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