Parliament Act (ParlA)
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 General Procedural Provisions
Art. 71 Business for consideration
Business in the Federal Assembly includes in particular: a. drafts made by its committees or by the Federal Council of legislative enactments of the Federal Assembly; b. parliamentary initiatives and motions of its members, parliamentary groups and committees as well as cantonal initiatives; c. reports from its committees or from the Federal Council; d. nominations for elections and proposals relating to the confirmation of election nominations; e. proposals relating to procedure made by its members, parliamentary groups, committees or by the Federal Council; f. declarations of the councils or of the Federal Council; g. petitions and submissions; h. appeals, applications and objections.
Art. 72 Submission of business
1 Business originating from members or organs of the councils shall become pending in the councils on its submission to the Parliamentary Secretariat. 2 Popular initiatives and requests made by a canton for the guarantee of its constitution shall become pending in the Assembly on their submission to the Federal Chancellery. 3 Other business shall become pending in both councils of the Federal Assembly on its submission to the Assembly.
Art. 73 Withdrawal of business
1 Business may be withdrawn by its originator at any time before either council has taken a decision thereon for the first time. 2 A parliamentary initiative or a cantonal initiative may no longer be withdrawn after it has been endorsed by a committee entrusted with its preliminary examination. 3 The Federal Council may not withdraw business that it has introduced.
Art. 74 Procedure for legislative bills
1 Each council shall consider and decide first of all whether it wishes to approve the introduction of a bill (introductory debate). 2 If it approves the introduction of a bill, it must thereafter examine the enactment article by article (detailed consideration). 3 Introduction shall be mandatory in the case of popular initiatives, budgets, annual reports, accounts, objections to treaties between cantons or between cantons and foreign states, the guarantee of cantonal constitutions, and in relation to the legislature plan and the financial plan. 4 After the conclusion of the first detailed consideration, a vote is taken in each council on the text in its entirety. If approval of introduction is mandatory, no vote is taken on the text in its entirety other than in the case of budgets and accounts. 5 If a bill is rejected by a council in the vote on the entire text, this is equivalent to non-approval of introduction. The rejection of a budget or of accounts in the vote on the entire text
Para. 3 — Amended by Annex No 1 of the FA of 26 Sept. 2014 (New Management Model for the Federal Administration), in force since 1 Jan. 2016 (AS 2015 1583; BBl 2014 767). Para. 6 — Inserted by No I of the FA of 21 June 2013 (Improvements in the Organisation and Procedures of Parliament), in force since 25 Nov. 2013 (AS 2013 3687; BBl 2011 6793, 6829).
Art. 75 Referral for review
1 Either council may refer a bill that it has approved for introduction, or any other item of business, back to the Federal Council or the committee entrusted with its examination for review or amendment. 2 It may also refer individual sections or provisions for review at a later stage in the deliberations. 3 The proposal for referral must indicate what should be reviewed, amended or added.
Art. 76 Proposals
1 Any assembly member may submit proposals on a pending matter for consideration in the council and in the committee responsible for the preliminary examination. He or she may apply to the relevant committee for the submission of a parliamentary initiative or of a committee motion. 1bis A bill may only be submitted with a proposal if thereby: a. a pending bill is to be divided up; b. a counter-proposal is to be made to a popular initiative on the same constitutional issue (Art. 101). 2 Proposals that relate to procedure (points of order) must normally be dealt with immediately. 3 A reconsideration of any decision made may be requested by means of a point of order until a council has concluded its deliberations on an item of business. 3bis A point of order requesting the reconsideration of a decision on introduction is not permitted. 3ter A point of order requesting the repeat of a vote concluding the Council’s deliberations on an item of business may only be made immediately after the
Para. 1bis let. b — Inserted by No I of the FA of 21 June 2013 (Improvements in the Organisation and Procedures of Parliament), in force since 25 Nov. 2013 (AS 2013 3687; BBl 2011 6793, 6829). Para. 3 — Amended by No I of the FA of 15 June 2018, in force since 26 Nov. 2018 (AS 2018 3461; BBl 2017 6797, 6865). Para. 3bis — Inserted by No I of the FA of 15 June 2018, in force since 26 Nov. 2018 (AS 2018 3461; BBl 2017 6797, 6865). Para. 3ter — Inserted by No I of the FA of 15 June 2018, in force s
Art. 77 Urgency clause
1 Where it is intended that a draft Federal Act be declared urgent, the urgency clause shall be exempted from the vote on the enactment in its entirety. 2 A decision on the urgency clause may be made only after a successful resolution of differences. 3 If the urgency clause is rejected, the Drafting Committee shall correct the wording of the provisions on the referendum and its entry into force after consulting the presidents of the committees entrusted with the preliminary examination.
Para. 3 — Amended by No I of the FA of 15 June 2018, in force since 26 Nov. 2018 (AS 2018 3461; BBl 2017 6797, 6865).
Art. 78 Voting procedure
1 Where a question may be divided into more than one part, each part may, on request, be voted on separately. 2 If two proposals in respect of the same subject matter have been submitted and they either relate to the same part of the text or mutually exclude each other, a vote is held on which of the two is to be accepted. 3 If it is not possible to vote on which proposal to accept, then the proposals shall be voted on individually. 4 No vote is held on unopposed proposals. 5 The number of votes is always counted in the case of: a. votes on entire bills; b. votes on a compromise motion; c. votes on provisions requiring the agreement of a majority of the members of each of the two parliamentary councils (Art. 159 para. 3 Cst.); d. final votes.
Para. 5 let. d — Inserted by No I of the FA of 15 June 2018, in force since 26 Nov. 2018 (AS 2018 3461; BBl 2017 6797, 6865).
Art. 79 Elimination vote
1 If more than two proposals have been made on the same subject matter, then an elimination vote must be held until a vote can be held on which of two proposals is to be accepted. 2 The order of voting on the proposals must be structured in such a way that a vote is held first on the proposals that differ the least from each other in content, working through the proposals until those that differ the most are reached. 3 If it is not possible to decide on the order of voting according to the criteria laid down in paragraph 2, an elimination vote is held dealing firstly with the proposals of the assembly members, then the proposals of the committee minorities and finally the proposal of the Federal Council. A vote is then held to decide between the proposal that wins the elimination vote and the proposal of the committee majority. 4 The order of voting on the proposals may not be altered by a contingent proposal.
Para. 4 — Inserted by No I of the FA of 21 June 2013 (Improvements in the Organisation and Procedures of Parliament), in force since 25 Nov. 2013 (AS 2013 3687; BBl 2011 6793, 6829).
Art. 80 Voting by the Council President
1 The Council President shall not participate in the vote. In the event of a tie, the President shall have the casting vote. 2 If the agreement of the majority of the members of each council is required, the Council President shall participate in the vote.
Art. 81 Final vote
1 A final vote shall be held on: a. a federal act; b. an ordinance of the Federal Assembly; c. a federal decree that is subject to a mandatory or an optional referendum. 1bis The final vote shall be held as soon as the councils have reached unanimous decisions on the bill and have approved the wording revised by the Drafting Committee. The two councils shall hold the final vote on the same day. 2 If both councils approve the bill then the enactment has been passed by the Federal Assembly. 3 If one or both councils reject the bill then the enactment is not passed.
Para. 1 let. c — Amended by No I of the FA of 15 June 2018, in force since 26 Nov. 2018 (AS 2018 3461; BBl 2017 6797, 6865). Para. 1bis — Inserted by No I of the FA of 15 June 2018, in force since 26 Nov. 2018 (AS 2018 3461; BBl 2017 6797, 6865).
Art. 82 Publication of the voting results
The standing orders of the councils shall determine the cases in which the result of the vote is published in the form of a list of members’ names with the votes they cast.
Chapter 2 Procedure between the councils
Section 1 Cooperation between the councils
Art. 83 Joint decrees of the councils
1 Federal Assembly decrees require the agreement of both councils. 2 A joint decree is not required in respect of petitions and reports that are submitted for information purposes.
Art. 84 Designation of the first council
1 Business that must be dealt with separately by the two councils shall be allocated to one of the councils for prior consideration (the first council). 2 The presidents of the councils shall decide on the allocation of business. If they are unable to reach an agreement, the matter shall be decided by drawing lots.
Art. 85 Schedule for dealing with business in the councils
1 Draft amendments to the Constitution and non-urgent federal acts are not normally considered for the first time by both councils in the same session. 2 The Conference for Coordination may in response to an application by the Federal Council or a committee decide that an item of business in accordance with paragraph 1 will by way of exception be considered by both councils for the first time in the same session.
Art. 86 Passing business on to the other council
1 Business that must be considered by both councils and which has been voted on by one council must then be passed on to the other council for consideration. 2 The first council may consider the matter again only after the other council has voted on it. 3 Where the drafts of more than one bill are submitted to the Federal Assembly accompanied by the same Federal Council dispatch or a report, these bills may be passed on individually to the other council after the first council has voted on them all. 4 A federal decree on the counter proposal to a popular initiative must be passed on to the other council with the federal decree on the related popular initiative.
Para. 4 — Inserted by No I of the FA of 3 Oct. 2008, in force since 2 March 2009 (AS 2009 725; BBl 2008 1869, 3177).
Art. 87 Referral to the Federal Council and adjournment of the procedure
1 If one council refers an item of business in its entirety back to the Federal Council, it must give notice of its decision to the other council. 2 If the other council does not agree with the decision to refer the matter back, the referral will still take effect provided the first council confirms its initial decision. 3 The same procedure also applies to the decision of a council to adjourn the discussion of an item of business for a period that is expected to exceed one year (suspension of business).
Art. 88 Sharing the discussion of a bill
1 By way of exception, a large bill may be divided up by joint decision of both councils and may be passed on to the other council in parts before the bill has been voted on in its entirety. 2 Prior to a vote being taken on the bill in its entirety, the members of either council may move that any provision of the entire bill be reconsidered. 3 Where either of the two councils rejects the proposal to divide the bill and if the council that has rejected the division confirms its decision, the bill is passed on to the other council only after a vote has been taken on the bill in its entirety.
Section 2 Resolution of Differences between the co
Art. 89 Procedure in the event of differences
1 Where, following consideration of a bill, there are differences between the councils, the divergent decisions of each council shall be referred to the other council for consideration, until agreement is reached between the two councils. 2 Following the initial consideration in each council, any further consideration shall be limited exclusively to the issues on which no agreement has been reached. 3 A council may reconsider any other issue only if this becomes necessary as a result of decisions taken in the intervening period or if the preliminary consultation committees of both councils move jointly for the issue to be reconsidered.
Art. 90 Abandonment of a bill
The councils may in response to a joint motion from their respective preliminary consultation committees abandon a bill during or on completion of the procedure for the resolution of differences.
Art. 90 — Amended by No I of the FA of 21 June 2013 (Improvements in the Organisation and Procedures of Parliament), in force since 25 Nov. 2013 (AS 2013 3687; BBl 2011 6793, 6829).
Art. 91 Appointment of a conciliation committee
1 If there are still differences following three detailed discussions in each council, a conciliation committee shall be appointed. This committee is responsible for seeking a compromise solution. 2 The preliminary consultation committees shall each contribute 13 members to the conciliation committee. If the preliminary consultation committee of a council comprises fewer than 13 members, additional members must be added to reach this number. The composition of the delegations from each committee is governed by Article 43 paragraph 3. 3 The committee president of the first council shall chair the conciliation committee. The president's deputy and the members of the conciliation committee are appointed in accordance with the relevant provisions of the standing orders.
Para. 3 — Second sentence inserted by No I of the FA of 21 June 2013 (Improvements in the Organisation and Procedures of Parliament), in force since 25 Nov. 2013 (AS 2013 3687; BBl 2011 6793, 6829).
Art. 92 Decisions of the conciliation committee
1 The conciliation committee is quorate when a majority of the members of each of the two delegations is present. The quorum must be expressly confirmed. 2 The conciliation committee reaches its decisions on the basis of the majority of the votes cast by its members. The committee president may participate in the vote. In the event of a tie, the president has the casting vote. 3 The conciliation committee shall propose a compromise motion that eliminates the remaining differences in their entirety.
Art. 93 Procedure for dealing with the compromise motion in the councils
1 The compromise motion shall be submitted first of all to the first council and, provided it votes in favour of the motion in its entirety, it shall then be submitted to the other council. 2 If the compromise motion is rejected by either of the councils, the bill must be abandoned.
Art. 94 Settlement of differences on the budget and on supplementary credits
Where a compromise motion on a Federal Decree on the Federal Budget or a supplementary credit is rejected, the decree based on the third round of deliberations that provides for a lower amount shall be accepted.
Art. 94a Settlement of differences relating to the legislature plan, the financial plan, and the financial framework in the budget
1 If the federal decree on the legislature plan is the subject of differences between the councils following the first reading of the bill, the conciliation committee shall be appointed. 2 In the case of the federal decrees on the legislature plan, the financial plan and the financial framework in the budget, the conciliation committee shall propose a compromise motion in respect of each difference. A separate vote is held on each motion. 3 If any motion is rejected, the related provision shall be deleted.
Art. 94a — Inserted by No I of the FA of 22 June 2007 (Legislature Plan), in force since 1 Dec. 2007 (AS 2007 5231; BBl 2006 1837, 1857). Art. 94a — Amended by No I of the FA of 15 March 2024 (Budget Debate), in force since 9 Sept. 2024 (AS 2024 450; BBl 2023 2157, 2159). Para. 2 — Amended by No I of the FA of 15 March 2024 (Budget Debate), in force since 9 Sept. 2024 (AS 2024 450; BBl 2023 2157, 2159). Para. 2 — Amended by Annex No 1 of the FA of 26 Sept. 2014 (New Management Model for the Fede
Art. 95 Settlement of differences in special cases
If the divergent decisions of the two councils relate to an entire item of business, the second rejection by either council is final. The foregoing applies in particular to: a. the introduction of bill; b. the acceptance of a bill in the vote on the bill in its entirety; c. the approval of a treaty under international law; d. the guarantee of a cantonal constitution; e. an opinion on a popular initiative in the form of a general proposal; f. the urgency clause; g. the decision on whether a cantonal initiative should be endorsed; h. the approval of Federal Council ordinances; i. ... j. the continuation of an item of business in respect of which a motion for abandonment has been made.
let. g — Amended by No I of the FA of 3 Oct. 2008, in force since 2 March 2009 (AS 2009 725; BBl 2008 1869, 3177). let. i — Repealed by No I of the FA of 17 June 2011 (Requests to lift Immunity), with effect from 5 Dec. 2011 (AS 2011 4627; BBl 2010 7345, 7385).
Chapter 3 Procedure for Popular Initiatives
Section 1 Popular Initiative for the Complete Revi
Art. 96
Where a popular initiative for the complete revision of the Federal Constitution is declared successful, the Federal Assembly shall submit the initiative to the vote of the people.
Section 2 Popular Initiative for the Partial Revis
a. General Provisions
Art. 97 Federal Council dispatch and draft decree
1 The Federal Council shall submit to the Federal Assembly: a. at the latest one year after submission of a successful popular initiative, a dispatch and the draft of a federal decree for the consideration of the Federal Assembly; b. at the latest one year after the approval of the people or of the Federal Assembly of an initiative submitted in the form of a general proposal, a dispatch and the draft of a federal decree for a partial revision of the Federal Constitution. 2 If the Federal Council decides to draw up a draft federal decree on a counter-proposal or a bill that is closely related to the popular initiative, the foregoing period shall be extended to 18 months. 3 If the Federal Council does not submit its dispatch and the draft of a federal decree to the Federal Assembly in due time, a relevant committee may draw up the necessary bill.
Para. 2 — Amended by No I of the FA of 15 June 2018, in force since 26 Nov. 2018 (AS 2018 3461; BBl 2017 6797, 6865). Para. 3 — Amended by No I of the FA of 15 June 2018, in force since 26 Nov. 2018 (AS 2018 3461; BBl 2017 6797, 6865).
Art. 98 Validity of popular initiatives
1 The Federal Assembly shall declare a popular initiative wholly or partly invalid if it holds that the requirements of Article 139 paragraph 3 of the Federal Constitution have not been fulfilled. 2 If the decisions of the two councils in relation to the validity of the popular initiative or of parts thereof diverge from each other and the council that has approved the validity of the initiative confirms its decision, the popular initiative or, depending on the case, its disputed part, shall be held to be valid. 3 If the compromise motion on the voting recommendation is rejected, in derogation from Article 93 para. 2 only the provision concerned shall be deleted.
Para. 3 — Inserted by No I of the FA of 15 June 2018, in force since 26 Nov. 2018 (AS 2018 3461; BBl 2017 6797, 6865).
Art. 99 Prohibition of the amendment of popular initiatives
1 Popular initiatives, or all the valid parts thereof, must be submitted to the vote of the people as they stand. 2 The Drafting Committee reserves the right to correct obvious translation errors and to make any formal adjustments necessary to incorporate the proposed constitutional amendment into the Constitution. The Committee shall give the initiative committee the opportunity to express its opinion.
Para. 2 — Inserted by No I of the FA of 15 June 2018, in force since 26 Nov. 2018 (AS 2018 3461; BBl 2017 6797, 6865).
b. Popular Initiative in the Form of a Draft Propo
Art. 100 Voting recommendation
The Federal Assembly shall decide within 30 months of the submission of a popular initiative in the form of a draft proposal whether it recommends that the people and the Cantons accept or reject the initiative.
Art. 101 Counter-proposal
1 The Federal Assembly may submit its own counter-proposal on the same constitutional issue to the vote of the people and the Cantons at the same time as the popular initiative. 2 The federal decree on the counter-proposal of the Federal Assembly shall be debated in each council prior to the Assembly deciding on the voting recommendation in the federal decree on the popular initiative. 3 The final vote on the federal decree on the counter-proposal shall take place no more than eight days before the end of the session which precedes the expiry of the deadline for dealing with the popular initiative. If the federal decree is rejected by either council in the final vote, the conciliation committee shall submit a proposal on the voting recommendation in the federal decree on the popular initiative. A counter-proposal may no longer be put forward.
Art. 101 — Amended by No I of the FA of 3 Oct. 2008, in force since 2 March 2009 (AS 2009 725; BBl 2008 1869, 3177).
Art. 102 Decisions on voting recommendations and counter-proposals
1 Where the Federal Assembly submits a counter proposal in addition to the popular initiative to the vote of the people and the Cantons, it may: a. recommend that the popular initiative be rejected and the counter-proposal accepted; or b. recommend that both bills be accepted. 2 If the Assembly recommends the acceptance of both bills, it shall recommend that voters accept the counter-proposal in the third question.
Art. 102 — Amended by No I of the FA of 3 Oct. 2008, in force since 2 March 2009 (AS 2009 725; BBl 2008 1869, 3177).
c. Popular Initiative in the Form of a General Pro
Art. 103 Approval or rejection and popular vote
1 The Federal Assembly shall decide within two years of submission of a popular initiative in the form of a general proposal whether it approves or rejects the initiative. 2 If the Federal Assembly rejects the popular initiative, it shall submit the initiative to the vote of the people.
Art. 104 Drafting of an amendment to the Constitution by the Federal Assembly
1 If the Federal Assembly approves a popular initiative, or if the people vote in favour of an initiative, the Federal Assembly shall within two years draft a partial revision to the Federal Constitution. 2 The draft prepared by the Federal Assembly shall correspond strictly to the content and objectives of the popular initiative. 3 Where the councils are unable to agree on the draft of the partial revision or if the draft is rejected by one or both councils, the decisions of the councils from the most recent discussion shall be submitted to the vote of the people as alternatives.
d. Extension and Expiry of Deadlines
Art. 105 Extension of deadline
1 If one council reaches a decision on a counter-proposal or on a bill closely related to a popular initiative, the Federal Assembly may extend the deadline for dealing with the matter by one year. 1bis ... 2 If the councils are unable to agree on an extension of deadline, no extension shall be granted.
Para. 1bis — Inserted by No II of the FA of 25 Sept. 2009 (Conditional Withdrawal of a Popular Initiative) (AS 2010 271; BBl 2009 3591, 3609). Repealed by No I of the FA of 21 June 2013 (Improvements in the Organisation and Procedures of Parliament), with effect from 25 Nov. 2013 (AS 2013 3687; BBl 2011 6793, 6829).
Art. 106 Expiry of deadline
If the councils are unable to reach a unanimous decision by the statutory deadline, the Federal Council shall order that a popular vote be held.
Chapter 4 Procedure for Parliamentary Initiatives
Art. 107 Subject matter and form
1 A parliamentary initiative may be used to propose that committee prepare a draft Federal Assembly bill. 2 The reasons for the parliamentary initiative must be stated. The statement of reasons must in particular include the aims of the bill. 3 A committee may submit a bill to its Council by means of a parliamentary initiative.
Art. 107 — Amended by No I of the FA of 21 June 2013 (Improvements in the Organisation and Procedures of Parliament), in force since 25 Nov. 2013 (AS 2013 3687; BBl 2011 6793, 6829).
Art. 108 Inadmissibility
The parliamentary initiative of a council member or of a parliamentary group shall be inadmissible if it relates to matters that may be submitted as a proposal relating to a bill pending before the Federal Assembly. The Office of the Council may decide on exceptions to the foregoing.
Art. 109 Procedure for the preliminary examination
1 Parliamentary initiatives brought by a council member or a parliamentary group, together with proposals submitted to a committee for the preparation of an initiative by that committee shall be subject to a preliminary examination. 2 The relevant committee of the council to which the initiative has been submitted shall decide within one year of being assigned the initiative whether to endorse the initiative or whether to instruct its council not to endorse the initiative. If the council follows the instructions of the committee, the initiative is regarded as having been dealt with. 3 The decision to endorse an initiative or to have the committee prepare its own initiative requires the consent of the relevant committee of the other council. This committee shall invite the committee responsible for the initial consideration to appoint a delegation to present its decision. If the latter committee does not consent, the initiative is only endorsed if both councils agree. If the second coun
Para. 2 — Amended by No I of the FA of 21 June 2013 (Improvements in the Organisation and Procedures of Parliament), in force since 25 Nov. 2013 (AS 2013 3687; BBl 2011 6793, 6829). See also the transitional provision for this amendment at the end of this text. Para. 3 — Fourth sentence inserted by No I of the FA of 3 Oct. 2008, in force since 2 March 2009 (AS 2009 725; BBl 2008 1869, 3177). Para. 3bis — Inserted by No I of the FA of 21 June 2013 (Improvements in the Organisation and Procedures
Art. 110 Subject matter of the preliminary examination
1 An initiative shall be endorsed or a proposal for the preparation of an initiative shall be approved if the need in principle for legislation is confirmed and a parliamentary initiative is judged to be the appropriate course of action. 2 A parliamentary initiative shall in particular be judged appropriate if: a. the initiative proposes a bill relating to the organisation or procedures of the Federal Assembly; b. the Federal Council has not prepared a bill in time, despite a motion being passed to this effect; or c. the preparation of a bill by this means will probably be achieved more quickly than by a motion. 3 The committee shall examine how it can prepare the bill in the time required, taking account of the methods at its disposal.
Para. 2 let. c — The correction made by the Federal Assembly Drafting Committee dated 17 Feb. 2016, published 1 March 2016, relates to the Italian text only (AS 2016 657).
Art. 111 Preparation of a bill
1 If an initiative is endorsed, the relevant committee of the council to which the initiative was submitted shall prepare a bill within two years. 2 If the author of an initiative or the request for the preparation of an initiative is not a member of the committee, he or she may participate in the preliminary examination in an advisory capacity at the meetings of the committee of his or her council. 3 The report explaining the committee bill to the Federal Assembly shall fulfil the requirements for a Federal Council Dispatch (Art. 141). 4 The obligations to conduct an assessment under Article 4 and the obligation to estimate regulatory costs under Article 5 of the Business Cost Relief Act of 29 September 2023 apply by analogy.
Para. 2 — Amended by No I of the FA of 21 June 2013 (Improvements in the Organisation and Procedures of Parliament), in force since 25 Nov. 2013 (AS 2013 3687; BBl 2011 6793, 6829). Para. 4 — SR 930.31 Para. 4 — Inserted by Art. 21 of the Business Cost Relief Act of 29 Sept. 2023, in force since 1 Oct. 2024 (AS 2024 118; BBl 2023 166).
Art. 112 Cooperation with the Federal Council and the Federal Administration
1 The committee may involve the Federal Department responsible in order to obtain all the legal and material information required for the preparation of a bill. 2 It shall submit the preliminary draft and its explanatory report for consultation in accordance with the provisions of the Consultation Procedure Act of 18 March 2005. 3 It shall submit the report and bill that it submits to its Council to the Federal Council at the same time in order that the Federal Council may state its opinion thereon within an appropriate period; excepted from the foregoing are provisions on the organisation or the procedures of the Federal Assembly that are not laid down by statute and which do not directly affect Federal Council. 3bis In the case of a draft bill under Article 165 or Article 173 paragraph 1 letter c of the Federal Constitution, the deadline for the Federal Council's opinion may be set in such a way that it can be dealt with in the next ordinary or extraordinary session. 4 If the Federal
Para. 2 — SR 172.061 Para. 2 — Amended by Art. 12 No 1 of the Consultation Procedure Act of 18 March 2005, in force since 1 Sept. 2005 (AS 2005 4099; BBl 2004 533). Para. 3 — Amended by No I of the FA of 21 June 2013 (Improvements in the Organisation and Procedures of Parliament), in force since 25 Nov. 2013 (AS 2013 3687; BBl 2011 6793, 6829). Para. 3bis — Inserted by No I of the FA of 17 March 2023 (Improvements in the Organisation and Procedures of Parliament, Especially in Crisis Situations)
Art. 113 Extension of deadline and abandonment
1 If the committee does not submit its bill within two years, the council shall decide at the request of the committee or of its office whether the deadline should be extended or the initiative abandoned. 2 The committee may request the council to abandon the initiative if: a. its purpose has been fulfilled by another bill; or b. the mandate conferred on the committee can no longer be carried out.
Art. 114 Debate on the bill in the Assembly
1 If the council approves its committee's bill in the vote on the bill in its entirety, the initiative is submitted to the other council and is further considered in accordance with the ordinary procedure for bills. 1bis If the council does not approve the introduction of its committee's bill or rejects it in the vote on the bill in its entirety, the initiative is regarded as having been dealt with. 2 In the committee of the second council, the draft from the first council is presented by a member of the committee that prepared it.
Para. 1 — Amended by No I of the FA of 21 June 2013 (Improvements in the Organisation and Procedures of Parliament), in force since 25 Nov. 2013 (AS 2013 3687; BBl 2011 6793, 6829). Para. 1bis — Inserted by No I of the FA of 21 June 2013 (Improvements in the Organisation and Procedures of Parliament), in force since 25 Nov. 2013 (AS 2013 3687; BBl 2011 6793, 6829).
Chapter 5 Procedure for Cantonal Initiatives
Art. 115 Subject matter and form
1 Any canton may by means of a cantonal initiative propose that a committee prepare a draft Federal Assembly bill. 2 The reasons for the cantonal initiative must be stated. The statement of reasons must in particular include the aims of the bill.
Art. 115 — Amended by No I of the FA of 21 June 2013 (Improvements in the Organisation and Procedures of Parliament), in force since 25 Nov. 2013 (AS 2013 3687; BBl 2011 6793, 6829).
Art. 116 Procedure for preliminary examination
1 Cantonal initiatives are subject to a preliminary examination. 2 For the preliminary examination, Article 110 applies by analogy. 3 The decision to endorse an initiative requires the agreement of the committees responsible in both councils. If one committee does not agree, the council shall decide. If the council does not agree, the initiative shall go to the other council. The second rejection by a council is final. 3bis The committees are subject to the time limits in Article 109 paragraphs 2 and 3bis. 4 The committee of the first council shall hear a representative of the Canton at the preliminary examination.
Para. 3bis — Inserted by No I of the FA of 21 June 2013 (Improvements in the Organisation and Procedures of Parliament), in force since 25 Nov. 2013 (AS 2013 3687; BBl 2011 6793, 6829). See also the transitional provision for this amendment at the end of this text.
Art. 117 Preparation of a bill
1 If an initiative is endorsed, it shall be reallocated to one of the councils for initial consideration in accordance with the procedure laid down in Article 84. 2 For the further procedure, Articles 111–114 apply by analogy. The abandonment of an initiative requires the agreement of the other council. If the first council decides not to approve the draft of the committee, or if the draft is rejected when voted on in its entirety, this shall be regarded as equivalent to abandonment.
Chapter 6 Procedure for Procedural Requests
Section 1 General
Art. 118 Forms of procedural request
1 Parliamentary procedural requests are: a. motions; b. postulates; c. interpellations; d. questions. 2 They shall normally be addressed to the Federal Council. 3 If they relate to the organisation or procedures of the Federal Assembly, they shall normally be addressed to the office of the council to which they are submitted. 4 They shall be addressed to the federal courts if they relate to the conduct of business or financial budget of the federal courts; motions are excluded. 4bis They shall be addressed to the Supervisory Authority for the Office of the Attorney General of Switzerland if they relate to the management or budget of the Office of the Attorney General of Switzerland or its Supervisory Authority; motions are excluded. 4ter They shall be addressed to the Federal Data Protection and Information Commissioner (FDPIC) if they relate to the FDPIC’s management or budget; motions are excluded. 5 In the case of procedural requests made to the offices of the councils and to the fe
Para. 4bis — Inserted by No I of the FA of 21 June 2013 (Improvements in the Organisation and Procedures of Parliament), in force since 25 Nov. 2013 (AS 2013 3687; BBl 2011 6793, 6829). Para. 4ter — Inserted by No I of the FA of 21 March 2025 (f Procedural Requests and Parliamentary Initiatives), in force since 8 Sept. 2025 (AS 2025 530; BBl 2024 1799, 2462). Para. 5 — The correction by the Federal Assembly Drafting Committee of 15 Feb. 2018, published 27 Feb. 2018, relates to the French text on
Art. 119 General procedural provisions for procedural requests
1 Procedural requests may be submitted by the majority of the members of a committee, as well as by a parliamentary group or an assembly member during a parliamentary session. 2 If a procedural request relates to more than one material or formal point, a separate discussion and vote may be held on each point. 3 The wording of a procedural request may not be altered after its submission; Article 121 paragraph 4 letter b is reserved. 4 ... 5 A procedural request made by a council member or a parliamentary group shall be abandoned without a council decision if: a. the council has not finished dealing with the procedural request within two years of its submission; or b. the author leaves the council and no other assembly member takes up the procedural request during the first week of the following session. 6 ...
Para. 2 — Amended by No I of the FA of 21 March 2025 (Submission of Procedural Requests and Parliamentary Initiatives), in force since 8 Sept. 2025 (AS 2025 530; BBl 2024 1799, 2462). Para. 3 — Amended by No I of the FA of 3 Oct. 2008, in force since 2 March 2009 (AS 2009 725; BBl 2008 1869, 3177). Para. 4 — Repealed by No I of the FA of 3 Oct. 2008, with effect from 2 March 2009 (AS 2009 725; BBl 2008 1869, 3177). Para. 5 let. b — Amended by No I of the FA of 3 Oct. 2008, in force since 2 March
Section 2 Motions
Art. 120 Subject matter
1 A motion mandates the Federal Council to submit a bill to the Federal Assembly or to take certain action. 2 If the Federal Council is responsible for taking action, it shall do so or submit to the Federal Assembly the draft bill by means of which the motion may be implemented. 3 A motion shall be inadmissible if it seeks to influence an administrative ruling or an appeal decision that must be taken as part of a procedure regulated by the law.
Art. 121 Procedure in the Assembly
1 The Federal Council shall normally propose the acceptance or rejection of a motion by the start of the next ordinary session following its submission. It shall submit its proposal in relation to a committee motion that is submitted less than a month before the start of the next ordinary session by the start of the session following the next session. 1bis If identical motions have been submitted by committees of both councils no later than one week before the next ordinary or extraordinary session, the Federal Council shall submit its proposal by the time the motion is discussed in that session. 1ter Committee motions that request the Federal Council to enact or amend an ordinance based on Article 184 paragraph 3 or Article 185 paragraph 3 of the Federal Constitution or on a statutory authorisation to deal with a crisis in accordance with Annex 2 shall be placed on the agenda of the next or current ordinary or extraordinary session. The Federal Council shall submit its proposal in wri
Art. 121 — Amended by No I of the FA of 3 Oct. 2008, in force since 2 March 2009 (AS 2009 725; BBl 2008 1869, 3177). Para. 1bis — Inserted by No I of the FA of 17 March 2023 (Improvements in the Organisation and Procedures of Parliament, Especially in Crisis Situations), in force since 4 Dec. 2023 (AS 2023 483; BBl 2022 301, 433). Para. 1ter — Inserted by No I of the FA of 17 March 2023 (Improvements in the Organisation and Procedures of Parliament, Especially in Crisis Situations), in force sin
Art. 122 Procedure for approved motions
1 If a motion is still pending after two years, the Federal Council shall report to the Federal Assembly each year on what it has done in relation thereto and on how it intends to fulfil the mandate. 1bis The Federal Council shall report immediately if: a. a committee motion requesting the amendment of a Federal Council ordinance that has been in force for less than one year or of a draft Federal Council ordinance is still pending after six months; or b. a committee motion requesting the enactment or amendment of an ordinance based on Article 184 paragraph 3 or Article 185 paragraph 3 of the Federal Constitution or on a statutory authorisation to manage a crisis in accordance with Annex 2 is still pending after the deadline for reporting provided for in the motion text has expired. 1ter The Federal Council's report shall be forwarded to the relevant committees. 2 A committee or the Federal Council shall request that a motion be closed if its mandate has been fulfilled. The request shal
Art. 122 — Amended by No I of the FA of 5 Oct. 2007 (Binding effect of the motion), in force since 26 May 2008 (AS 2008 2113; BBl 2007 1457, 2149). See also the transitional provision for this amendment at the end of this text. Para. 1 — Amended by No I of the FA of 17 March 2023 (Improvements in the Organisation and Procedures of Parliament, Especially in Crisis Situations), in force since 4 Dec. 2023 (AS 2023 483; BBl 2022 301, 433). Para. 1bis let. b — Inserted by No I of the FA of 17 March 2
Section 3 Postulates
Art. 123 Subject matter
A postulate mandates the Federal Council to examine and report on whether to submit a bill to the Federal Assembly or to take a measure. It may also request a report on a different matter.
Art. 124 Procedure
1 The Federal Council shall normally propose the acceptance or rejection of postulates before the start of the next session. When a committee postulate is submitted less than a month before the start of the next ordinary session, it shall submit its proposal by the start of the session following the next session. 2 The postulate shall be accepted if either council approves it. 3 The Federal Council fulfils the terms of a postulate by stating its views thereon in a separate report, or in the annual report or in a dispatch to a bill of the Federal Assembly. 4 If a postulate is still pending after two years, the Federal Council shall report to the Federal Assembly each year on what it has done in relation thereto and on how it intends to fulfil its mandate. This report is submitted to the committees responsible. 5 A committee or the Federal Council may request that a postulate be closed if it has been fulfilled or if continuing with the postulate cannot be justified. The council that has
Para. 1 — Amended by No I of the FA of 3 Oct. 2008, in force since 2 March 2009 (AS 2009 725; BBl 2008 1869, 3177).
Section 4 Interpellations and Questions
Art. 125
1 An interpellation or a question is a request to the Federal Council to provide information on matters relating to the Confederation. 2 The Federal Council shall normally reply by the next session. 3 An interpellation or a question may be declared urgent. 4 An interpellation is dealt with if the discussion requested by its author has taken place in the council or when the council has rejected the request for the discussion. 5 A question is not discussed in the council; it is dealt with by the reply from the Federal Council.
Chapter 7 Procedure for Petitions and Submissions
Section 1 Petitions
Inserted by No I of the FA of 3 Oct. 2008 (Parliamentary Law. Miscellaneous Amendments), in force since 2 March 2009 (AS 2009 725; BBl 2008 1869, 3177).
Art. 126 General Provisions
1 The responsible committee in each council shall decide whether to endorse a petition or whether it shall request its council not to endorse the petition. 2 If the subject of the petition can be presented in the form of a proposal relating to a matter pending for consideration, the committee shall report on the petition to the council when it is dealing with that business. The committee shall decide either to submit a proposal on the matter or dispense with a proposal. The petition shall be abandoned without a council decision as soon as the matter has been dealt with. 3 Following the conclusion of the consideration of a petition, the Parliamentary Services shall notify the petitioners as to whether their concerns have been taken into account. 4 The presidents of the committees responsible for the preliminary examination in each council may respond directly to a petition if: a. its aim cannot be achieved by a parliamentary initiative, a procedural request or a proposal; b. its content
Art. 126 — Amended by No I of the FA of 3 Oct. 2008 (Parliamentary Law. Miscellaneous Amendments), in force since 2 March 2009 (AS 2009 725; BBl 2008 1869, 3177).
Art. 127 Committee decision to endorse a petition
If the committee endorses a petition, it shall take up the matter to which the petition relates by preparing a parliamentary initiative or a procedural request.
Art. 127 — Amended by No I of the FA of 3 Oct. 2008 (Parliamentary Law. Miscellaneous Amendments), in force since 2 March 2009 (AS 2009 725; BBl 2008 1869, 3177).
Art. 128 Committee decision to not to endorse a petition
1 The committee shall request its council not to endorse the petition if it: a. rejects the matter to which the petition relates; b. establishes that the matter to which the petition relates has already been dealt with by another competent authority; c. regards the matter to which the petition relates as having been dealt with. 2 If the council disregards the proposal of the committee and endorses the petition, it shall refer the petition and mandate back to the committee and instruct the committee to take up the matter in a parliamentary initiative or a procedural request.
Art. 128 — Amended by No I of the FA of 3 Oct. 2008 (Parliamentary Law. Miscellaneous Amendments), in force since 2 March 2009 (AS 2009 725; BBl 2008 1869, 3177).
Section 2 Submissions
Inserted by No I of the FA of 3 Oct. 2008 (Parliamentary Law. Miscellaneous Amendments), in force since 2 March 2009 (AS 2009 725; BBl 2008 1869, 3177).
Art. 129
A submission on the conduct of business and on the financial policy of the Federal Council, the Federal Administration, the federal courts or of other persons entrusted with tasks by the Confederation shall be allocated to the Control or Finance Committees for a direct response.
Chapter 8 Procedure for Objections to Treaties bet
Inserted by No II of the FA of 7 Oct. 2005, in force since 1 June 2006 (AS 2006 1265; BBl 2004 7103).
Art. 129a
1 If the Federal Council files an objection to a treaty between Cantons or between a Canton and a foreign state, it shall submit to the Federal Assembly the draft of a simple federal decree on the approval of the treaty. 2 If a Canton files an objection, the responsible committee of the first council shall submit to its council the draft of a simple federal decree on the approval of the treaty.