Federal Constitution

The Federal Constitution is the foundational law of the Swiss Confederation. It defines the federal state, democratic procedures, fundamental rights, social goals, federal authorities and the division of powers between Confederation and cantons. It guides legislation, administration and judicial review, while leaving significant autonomy to cantonal constitutional and statutory law. Amendments require democratic approval through the constitutional procedure. In comparative terms, it combines liberal rights protection, direct democracy, federalism and collegial government, making it central to Swiss public law and political legitimacy.