Die kantonalen Parlamente der Schweiz: Ein kleiner Kosmos an historischem und modernem Parlamentarismus

Abstract

The cantonal parliaments were an important organ of the liberal revolution in the 19th century to democratize Switzerland . There was even a parliamentary supremacy in the cen- tury before last . But what has become of this powerful position? For historical and political reasons, the cantonal parliaments play more a secondary role today, although they still have a strong position under constitutional law . At the same time, this contrasts with the diver- sity of parliamentary life and parliamentary instruments, which have a long tradition . The chances of the cantonal parliaments regaining an important central position today are to be found in the mediating role between government and direct democratic popular rights, i .e . in the idea of parliament as a place to discuss and to make public responsibility transparent, to integrate minorities and to order and satisfy the political dispute . Only, this would require political will .