LOCAL AND REGIONAL STRUCTURES IN SWITZERLAND
Switzerland is a federal state composed of municipalities, cantons and half cantons
Local level: around 2750 municipalities
There is no single communal system in Switzerland, each canton can define its own local system, and some cantons have up to five different types of local government. The degree of self-governance can vary greatly from one canton to another.
The political commune, sometimes referred to as "commune of the inhabitants", can be found in each canton. This type of communes has broad competences whereas the other types usually have more specialised competences.
Communal authorities
In most cantons, municipalities have a communal assembly made of all their inhabitants, only larger cities have an elected parliament. However, in the cantons of Geneva, Neuchatel and Vaud, the deliberative body is a communal parliament (compulsory for all communes in the cantons of Geneva and Neuchatel, and only for municipalities with over 800 inhabitants in Vaud). The members of the communal parliament are elected by direct universal suffrage, generally for four years.
The executive arm of Swiss municipalities is a collegial body whose 5 to 7 members are directly elected by the inhabitants. It is chaired by a magistrate. In most cases, the mandates are four year long.
Competences
- Structuring their own internal organisation
- Managing their own budget including setting local taxes
- Making their own political policy and decisions
- Primary and secondary education
- Social services
- Land planning
- Public infrastructure (roads, water, sewage, civil protection)
- The environment
- Sports and culture
Regional level: 26 cantons and semi-cantons
Cantonal authorities
The great council (grand conseil / Grosser Rat) is the legislative body. Its members are elected by direct universal suffrage, and the duration of their mandate varies from one canton to another. The council elects its president, usually for a one-year term, and votes the laws and decrees. However, five cantons have an assembly (Landsgemeinde) rather than a council. The members of the assembly are elected by the registered voters.
The state council (conseil d'état or conseil exécutif / Regierungsrat) is the executive body of the canton. Its members are elected by the inhabitants, usually for four years. The council is organised in various departments, and is headed by a president. Her/his mandate is generally one year long.
The cantonal court (tribunal cantonal or tribunal suprême / Obergericht) is made of judges and substitutes elected by the great council. It is the supreme judiciary authority of the canton.
Main cantonal competences
- Public health
- Education
- Social policy
- Law and order
- Roads and sewerage
- Spatial planning
- The environment
Note: the main difference between cantons and semi-cantons is that cantons have their own Constitution and legislative powers.
