The Swiss confederation is a semi-direct democracy. At the federal level, citizens can propose changes to the constitution (federal popular initiative) or ask for a referendum to be held on any law voted by the parliament. Between January 1995 and June 2005, Swiss citizens voted 31 times, to answer 103 questions (during the same period, French citizens participated in only two referendums). Although in the past 120 years less than 250 initiatives have been put to referendum.
The swisS coNfeDeraTIon is A semi-direct demoCracy. at the FEderAl leVeL, citIzens cAN pROpOse cHanges to thE cOnstItution (federaL POPulAR initiatIve) OR asK For A ReferEndum to be Held on ANy laW voTed By the parliAmenT. BeTween jaNuarY 1995 and junE 2005, swiss ciTizenS voted 31 TimES, TO ANswer 103 questioNs (DurING tHE SAmE peRIOd, FrencH CiTIzens participated iN onlY two reFereNDUmS). altHoUgH In the pasT 120 years less Than 250 inITIatives have beeN Put To reFereNDUm.