Basel-Stadt Naturalization Test flashcards

32 cards. Read the term and the definition here. The deck at the top of this page is optional.

Federal Constitution 1999

The supreme legal order of Switzerland, adopted on 18 April 1999 as a total revision. All cantonal law and federal statutes must conform to it.

Double majority

The requirement that a constitutional amendment or popular initiative be approved by a majority of the people and a majority of the cantons.

Federal popular initiative

An instrument allowing 100,000 voters to sign in 18 months to propose a constitutional amendment, which is then put to a vote of the people and cantons.

Optional referendum

A federal instrument requiring 50,000 signatures within 100 days to force a popular vote on a federal statute already passed by Parliament.

Grand Council

The unicameral parliament of Canton Basel-Stadt with 100 members elected every four years by proportional representation; it enacts cantonal laws and approves the budget.

Regierungsrat

The seven-member executive of Canton Basel-Stadt, elected by the people for four years under the majority system; one member serves as president for one year.

Mittlere Brücke

The oldest Rhine bridge in Basel, completed in 1226, connecting Grossbasel and Kleinbasel and serving as a symbol of the city.

Basler Fasnacht

Basel's three-day carnival beginning at 4 a.m. on the Monday after Ash Wednesday with the Morgestraich; it is listed as UNESCO intangible cultural heritage.

Baseldeutsch

The Alemannic dialect spoken in Basel; German is the official language of the canton and the language of school instruction.

Vereinsleben

The Swiss tradition of joining local clubs and associations for sport, music, or culture; it is a central channel of social integration for newcomers.

Presumption of innocence

The principle that every accused person is considered innocent until a final conviction establishes guilt; the burden of proof lies with the prosecution.

Unentgeltliche Rechtspflege

Legal aid granted to persons of insufficient means, covering court costs and legal representation; applications are handled by the cantonal legal aid office.

AHV

The Swiss old-age and survivors' insurance, the first pillar of the pension system, financed by contributions shared between employer and employee.

Quellensteuer

Withholding tax deducted by the employer from the salary of foreign employees without a C permit; it is paid directly to the tax authority.

Compulsory schooling in Basel-Stadt

Eleven years of education starting at age 4 with two years of kindergarten, followed by primary school and secondary I.

KESB

The Kindes- und Erwachsenenschutzbehörde, the cantonal authority that orders protective measures for minors and adults, including guardianship.

Swiss neutrality

A principle of foreign policy recognised under international law, prohibiting participation in armed conflicts and military alliances; it does not prevent UN membership.

Bilaterals I and II

Two packages of agreements between Switzerland and the EU (1999 and 2004) covering free movement, trade, research, and Schengen association.

Federal Assembly

The Swiss parliament, composed of the National Council with 200 seats and the Council of States with 46 seats; both chambers must agree on legislation.

Subsidiarity

The principle that the Confederation assumes only tasks cantons cannot perform effectively; cantons implement most federal law and retain residual powers.

Postal voting

The most common method of voting in Switzerland, allowing voters to cast ballots by mail before election or referendum day.

Ius sanguinis

The principle that Swiss citizenship is acquired by descent from a Swiss parent rather than by birth on Swiss soil.

Appellationsgericht

The highest court of Canton Basel-Stadt, hearing appeals in civil and criminal matters and acting as constitutional court for cantonal law.

Gemeindeversammlung

The assembly of voters in the communes of Riehen and Bettingen, which decides communal matters directly.

Rathaus Basel

The town hall on the Marktplatz, built between 1504 and 1514, serving as the seat of the Grand Council and the Regierungsrat.

Dreiländereck

The tri-border point near the Rhine where Switzerland, France, and Germany meet, marked by a monument and a popular viewpoint.

Sonntagsruhe

The legally protected rest day on Sundays, when most shops are closed and noise is restricted in residential areas.

Ökihof

A cantonal recycling centre where residents deliver separated waste such as glass, metal, and bulky items for proper disposal.

Staatsanwaltschaft

The public prosecutor's office in Basel-Stadt, responsible for investigating crimes and bringing charges before the criminal courts.

Schlichtungsverfahren

A mandatory conciliation procedure before most civil claims, conducted by a cantonal conciliation authority to encourage settlement without trial.

BVG

The occupational pension scheme, the second pillar of the Swiss pension system, requiring employer and employee contributions from age 25 for savings.

Prämienverbilligung

A cantonal subsidy reducing mandatory health insurance premiums for low-income households, granted upon application.