The referendum: stopping a law

Parliament makes the laws. The National Council and the Council of States pass them together. But the people can stop a new law. The tool for this is called a referendum. In a referendum the people say yes or no to a decision that Parliament has already made.

There are two types. The optional referendum is voluntary. Anyone who is against a new federal law collects 50'000 signatures within 100 days. Then there is a popular vote, and a majority of the people is enough. Eight cantons together can also demand a referendum. If there are no signatures, the law simply comes into force.

The mandatory referendum happens automatically, without signatures. This applies to every amendment of the Federal Constitution and to joining certain international organisations, for example the EU or NATO. Here a double majority is needed. There is no referendum against decisions of the Federal Council, the administration or the courts.

Memory aid: Referendum = react: you fight back against something Parliament has already decided. 50'000 signatures in 100 days.