Federal popular initiative "for the election of the Federal Council by the people and increasing the number of members"
| Eligible voters | |
|---|---|
| Total eligible voters | 1,278,688 |
| Voting participation | |
| Ballot papers received | 792,424 |
| Voting participation | 61.92% |
| Disregarded ballot papers | |
| Blank ballot papers | 13,381 |
| Invalid ballot | 3,311 |
| Eligible Ballots | |
| Valid ballot papers | 775,732 |
| Yes votes | 251,605 (32.4%) |
| Vote no | 524,127 (67.6%) |
| Accepting stands | 0 |
| Discarding stands | 19 6/2 |
The federal popular initiative "for the election of the Federal Council by the people and increasing the number of members" was a popular initiative that was voted on on January 25, 1942. It was launched by the Social Democratic Party and was submitted with 157,081 valid signatures from Swiss voters on July 29, 1939. She called for increasing the number of members of the Federal Council from seven to nine, and the proportional representation of the Federal Council by the people.
The election of the Federal Council by the people was also rejected in popular elections in 1900 with 65.0% and in 2013 with 76.3% no votes.
Initiative text
The federal constitution is amended as follows:
Art. 95
The highest executive and managing authority of the Confederation is a Federal Council, which consists of nine members.
The members of the Federal Council are elected by Swiss citizens who are entitled to vote on the day of the National Council elections for a period of four years, starting on January 1st.
Any Swiss citizen who is eligible for election to the National Council is eligible for election if at least 30,000 voters have signed a proposal for election. However, no more than one Federal Councilor may be elected from any canton. The election takes place in an electoral district that encompasses all of Switzerland.
Art. 96
When electing the Federal Council, the political directions and language areas of Switzerland must be given due consideration. At least three members must belong to the French, Italian and Romansh-speaking parts of Switzerland and at least five to the German-speaking parts of Switzerland.
Replacement elections are to be held immediately if the overall renewal is not due within six months.
Art. 96 bis
Federal legislation sets out the more detailed provisions on the implementation of the principles set out in Articles 95 and 96.
Individual evidence
- ↑ admin.ch: Chronology of popular initiatives
- ↑ BBl 1939 II 366