Federal Constitution of the Swiss Confederation
English is not an official language of the Swiss Confederation. This translation is provided for information purposes only and has no legal force.
Art. 1 The Swiss Confederation
The People and the Cantons of Zurich, Bern, Lucerne, Uri, Schwyz, Obwalden and Nidwalden, Glarus, Zug, Fribourg, Solothurn, Basel Stadt and Basel Landschaft, Schaffhausen, Appenzell Ausserrhoden and Appenzell Innerrhoden, St Gallen, Graubünden, Aargau, Thurgau, Ticino, Vaud, Valais, Neuchâtel, Geneva, and Jura form the Swiss Confederation.
Art. 2 Aims
1 The Swiss Confederation shall protect the liberty and rights of the people and safeguard the independence and security of the country. 2 It shall promote the common welfare, sustainable development, internal cohesion and cultural diversity of the country. 3 It shall ensure the greatest possible equality of opportunity among its citizens. 4 It is committed to the long term preservation of natural resources and to a just and peaceful international order.
Art. 3 Cantons
The Cantons are sovereign except to the extent that their sovereignty is limited by the Federal Constitution. They exercise all rights that are not vested in the Confederation.
Art. 4 National languages
The National Languages are German, French, Italian, and Romansh.
Art. 5 Rule of law
1 All activities of the state are based on and limited by law. 2 State activities must be conducted in the public interest and be proportionate to the ends sought. 3 State institutions and private persons shall act in good faith. 4 The Confederation and the Cantons shall respect international law.
Art. 5a Subsidiarity
The principle of subsidiarity must be observed in the allocation and performance of state tasks.
Art. 5a — Adopted by the popular vote on 28 Nov. 2004, in force since 1 Jan. 2008 (FCD of 3 Oct. 2003, FCD of 26 Jan. 2005, FCD of 7 Nov. 2007; AS 2007 5765; BBl 2002 2291, 2003 6591, 2005 951).
Art. 6 Individual and collective responsibility
All individuals shall take responsibility for themselves and shall, according to their abilities, contribute to achieving the tasks of the state and society.