Swiss Passport

Question 44 of 350 · The Federal Parliament

What is the task of the Council of States?

Was ist die Aufgabe des Ständerates?

Correct answer: C

  1. AIt only has a representative function.Er hat nur eine repräsentative Funktion.
  2. BIt is the highest judicial authority.Er ist die höchste juristische Instanz.
  3. CIt mainly represents the interests of the cantons.Er vertritt vor allem die Interessen der Kantone.
  4. DIt coordinates the planning of the municipalities.Er koordiniert die Planung der Gemeinden.

Why

In the Council of States, each canton has two seats (the six former half-cantons have one each), no matter how many people live there. So the Council of States mainly represents the interests of the cantons.

Common mistakes

A: It only has a representative function.
The Council of States is just as powerful as the National Council. It helps pass laws and does not only have a representative role.
B: It is the highest judicial authority.
The highest judicial authority is the Federal Supreme Court, not the Council of States.
D: It coordinates the planning of the municipalities.
The Council of States does not plan the municipalities. That is a matter for the cantons and municipalities.

Topic

National Council and Council of States

The Swiss Parliament is called the Federal Assembly. It has two chambers: the National Council and the Council of States. The National Council has 200 members. It represents the people. Large cantons have more seats than small ones. The Council of States has 46 members. It mainly represents the cantons. Each canton has two seats, the six former half-cantons one each. Together there are 246 members.

How the state works · The Federal Parliament

Sources

Official question of the Canton of Zurich (Gemeindeamt, May 2025). Translation and explanation: Swiss Passport.