Summary

The Federal Council and the Conference of Cantonal Governments (KdK) published an interim report on the "Disentanglement 27" project on April 24, 2026. The joint reform initiative, launched in June 2024, aims at a clearer division of tasks and financing responsibility between the federal government and the cantons. Working groups have developed options for reorganizing 21 task areas. In the second project phase, 14 task areas will be examined in depth, including security, social affairs, transport, and education. The final report is planned for the end of 2027.

Persons

  • Federal Council (collectively)
  • Conference of Cantonal Governments (KdK)

Topics

  • Swiss federalism
  • Division of tasks between federal government and cantons
  • Financing responsibility
  • State policy reform

Clarus Lead

Disentanglement 27 responds to structural pressure in Swiss federalism: Since the last fundamental reform (NFA 2008), the federal government and cantons have become increasingly intertwined in more and more areas, leading to unclear responsibilities and mutual dependencies. The project follows the principle of budget neutrality – it is not about cost-cutting measures, but rather about a clearer federal order that should increase the capacity for action of both levels of government. The consultation runs until early July 2026; a decision on further proceedings will be made in the second half of 2026.

Detailed Summary

The "Disentanglement 27" project is a joint mandate of the Federal Council and the KdK, which was launched in June 2024. The interim report now published documents the work of federal-cantonal working groups that have developed reorganization options in 21 task areas. The report is deliberately designed to remain open to results and serves as a stocktaking for the second project phase.

The second phase focuses on 14 task areas or 17 sub-areas in which concrete disentanglement potential has been identified. These include policy areas such as security, social affairs, transport, and education. The central reform principle is budget neutrality: when tasks are shifted between levels, the corresponding financial resources follow. This distinguishes the reform from cost-cutting debates and emphasizes the structural clarification of responsibilities.

The historical context is crucial: The redesign of financial equalization and task division (NFA) in 2008 was the last fundamental federal reform. It disentangled 17 task areas and anchored the principles of subsidiarity and fiscal equivalence in the Federal Constitution. However, new entanglements have increasingly emerged since then, leading to unclear responsibilities, structural dependencies, and cost-shifting between levels of government. A clearer division of tasks is intended to solve these problems and strengthen the sovereignty and decision-making capacity of the federal government and cantons – particularly in times of scarce financial resources.

Key Statements

  • The interim report identifies disentanglement potential in 21 task areas; 14 of these will be examined in depth.
  • The project follows the principle of budget neutrality – task transfers are linked to corresponding financial transfers.
  • The reform is intended to strengthen the sovereignty and capacity for action of the federal government and cantons and to clarify the federal order.

Critical Questions

  1. Evidence: What quantitative data support the claim that current entanglements actually lead to inefficiencies or decision-making blockades? The report mentions structural problems but provides no case examples or cost analyses.

  2. Conflicts of Interest: Which cantons benefit from disentanglement, which may lose funding subsidies? Are the negotiating positions between large and small cantons symmetrical?

  3. Causality: Will a clearer division of tasks actually lead to faster political decisions, or will new conflicts emerge at the interfaces? Are there international comparisons with similar reforms?

  4. Feasibility: How are transition phases designed when tasks shift between levels? What sanctions or incentives ensure compliance with budget neutrality?

  5. Consultation Process: Which stakeholders (municipalities, social partners, associations) are represented in the consultations? How is it ensured that not only government interests are reflected?

  6. Timeline: The final report is planned for the end of 2027 – is this timeline realistic given the complexity of 14 task areas?

Sources

Primary Source: Disentanglement 27: Interim Report – Reorganization of Task Division and Financing Responsibility between Federal Government and Cantons – news.admin.ch

Verification Status: ✓ 24.04.2026

This text was created with the support of an AI model. Editorial Responsibility: clarus.news | Fact-Check: 24.04.2026