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.
Chapter 1 Revision
Art. 192 Principle
1 The Federal Constitution may be totally or partially revised at any time. 2 Unless the Federal Constitution and the legislation based on it provides otherwise, any revision of the Federal Constitution is made by the legislative process.
Art. 193 Total revision
1 A total revision of the Federal Constitution may be proposed by the People or by either of the two Councils or be decreed by the Federal Assembly. 2 If the initiative emanates from the People or if the two Chambers are unable to agree, the People decide on whether a total revision should be carried out. 3 If the People vote for a total revision, new elections shall be held to both Chambers. 4 The mandatory provisions of international law must not be violated.
Art. 194 Partial revision
1 A partial revision of the Federal Constitution may be requested by the People or decreed by the Federal Assembly. 2 The partial revision must respect the principle of cohesion of subject matter and must not violate mandatory provisions of international law. 3 The popular initiative for partial revision must also respect the principle of consistency of form.
Art. 195 Commencement
The totally or partly revised Federal Constitution comes into force when it is approved by the People and the Cantons.
Chapter 2 Transitional Provisions
Art. 196 Transitional provisions in terms of the Federal Decree of 18 December 1998 on a new Federal Constitution
Transitional provision to Art. 84 (Transalpine transit traffic) The transfer of freight transit traffic from road to rail must be completed ten years after the adoption of the popular initiative for the protection of the alpine regions from transit traffic. Transitional provision to Art. 85 (Flat-rate heavy vehicle charge) 1 The Confederation shall levy an annual charge for the use of roads that are open to general traffic on domestic and foreign motor vehicles and trailers that have a maximum permissible weight of over 3.5 tonnes. 2 This charge amounts to: Fr. a. for trucks and articulated motor vehicles of – over 3.5 to 12 t 650 – over 12 to 18 t 2000 – over 18 to 26 t 3000 – over 26 t 4000 b. for trailers of – over 3.5 to 8 t 650 – over 8 to 10 t 1500 – over 10 t 2000 c. for coaches 650 3 The rates of the charge may be adjusted by federal act insofar as this is justified by the cost of road transport. 4 In addition, the Federal Council may adjust by ordinance the tariff category
Art. 196 — Adopted by the popular vote on 3 March 2002, in force since 3 March 2002 (FedD of 5 Oct. 2001, FCD of 26 April 2002; AS 2002 885; BBl 2000 2453, 2001 1183 5731, 2002 3690). Para. 4 — SR 741.01 Para. 8 — SR 641.81 Adopted by the popular vote on 12 Feb. 2017, in force since 1 Jan. 2018 (FedD of 30 Sept. 2016, FCD of 10 Nov. 2016 – AS 2017 6731; BBl 2015 2065, 2016 7587, 2017 3387). Para. 2 — Adopted by the popular vote on 12 Feb. 2017, in force since 1 Jan. 2018 (FedD of 30 Sept. 2016,
Art. 197 Transitional provisions following the adoption of the Federal Constitution of 18 April 1999
Accession of Switzerland to the United Nations 1 Switzerland shall accede to the United Nations. 2 The Federal Council shall be authorised to submit an application to the Secretary General of the United Nations (UN) requesting Switzerland’s accession to the organisation, together with a declaration on the acceptance of the obligations contained in the UN Charter. 2. Transitional provision to Art. 62 (School education) From the date on which the Federal Decree of 3 October 2003 on the New System of Financial Equalisation and the Allocation of Tasks between the Confederation and Cantons comes into force, the Cantons shall, until they have their own approved special-needs school strategies, but for a minimum of three years, assume responsibility for the current payments made by the Invalidity Insurance for special needs education (including the special needs pre-school education in accordance with Art. 19 of the Federal Act of 19 June 1959 on Invalidity Insurance). 3. Transitional provisi
Art. 197 — Adopted by the popular vote on 3 March 2002, in force since 3 March 2002 (FedD of 5 Oct. 2001, FCD of 26 April 2002; AS 2002 885; BBl 2000 2453, 2001 1183 5731, 2002 3690). Para. 2 — SR 0.120 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). AS 2007 5765 SR 831.20 Article 83 has now been revised. Adopted by the popular vote on 28 Nov. 2004, in force sin