I&R citizens' initiative and referendum
CONFOEDERATIO HELVETICA
The Federal Authorities of the Swiss ConfederationHere we describe part of Switzerland's main governance web site.
Extract
The front page (index) illustrates the Swiss system of governance, linking to
Federal Council (Executive)
Federal Administration (Sitemap)
Parliament (Legislative)
Federal Supreme Court (Judiciary)
You can see the separation of powers of state.
Link http://www.admin.ch/ch/index.en.htmlThe "Swiss Way" differs greatly from the way in which other democracies work. This is because the role of the people is "right up front", it's even on the front "index" page of the main governance web site! How does it work? With "elements" of direct democracy running partly alongside, partly integrated with the indirect, "representative" democracy of parliament and government etc..
Because the ultimate decision on all important matters of state lies with the people, the swiss people are known in political terms as "The Sovereign".
Web pages in the original language (french, german, italian, maybe raeto-roman) contain much more, and more up to date information than the pages translated into english. For instance, on the governance web site's front page you find:
Hot issues
* New Year's greeting by federal president Joseph Deiss
* National Referendum of 8th Feb. 2004
* Conferenza+: Live transmission of the Federal Council's press conferencePolitical Rights in the Swiss Confederation
Overview
National Council Election 2003: Results
Citizens' Initiatives
Referendums (current)
Ballot dates
Election dates until 2020from http://www.admin.ch/ch/index.de.html
I&R www theme - look out for updates
THE SWISS WAY: NOTES ON SWISS DEMOCRACY AND GOVERNANCE
SITE MAP