Federal guarantee
Swiss federal assurance that cantonal constitutions and certain cantonal public-law arrangements comply with federal law and constitutional principles.
In Switzerland, the federal guarantee reflects the Confederation’s role in ensuring that cantonal constitutional order remains compatible with federal law. Cantonal constitutions and amendments require federal approval before they take full effect in this sense. The review focuses on conformity with federal constitutional requirements, democratic rights, the rule of law and federal distribution of powers. The guarantee does not make cantons subordinate in all policy matters; it preserves cantonal autonomy within the federal framework. Historically, it is a key mechanism of Swiss federalism.