Popular initiative

In Switzerland, the popular initiative is a key instrument of direct democracy. At federal level, citizens may propose a constitutional amendment if the required signatures are collected within the prescribed time and the initiative meets validity requirements. The proposal is then submitted to the people and the cantons, often with a recommendation and sometimes a counter-proposal from Parliament. Cantons and municipalities may also provide initiative rights under their own law. The device allows agenda-setting from outside government while remaining bound by constitutional limits.