Summary

The Swiss Federal Council opened a consultation on 12 June 2026 regarding amendments to the Language Act. The background involves efforts in individual cantons to abolish the teaching of a second national language in primary school – a step that contradicts the cantons' language strategy from 2004. The Federal Council proposes two variants: codification of the current HarmoS solution (two foreign languages: one national language and English) or a minimum requirement with greater cantonal discretion. The consultation runs until 5 October 2026.

Persons

  • Federal Council (collective; institution)

Topics

  • Language policy
  • Educational harmonization
  • Federalism and national cohesion

Clarus Lead

The language question becomes a constitutional question: The Federal Government signals willingness to act if the cantons abandon their harmonization solution agreed upon in 2004. This marks an escalation of the federal conflict between school autonomy and national cohesion. With two variants, the Federal Council gives the cantons a final chance for self-regulation – those who do not cooperate must expect federal requirements.

Detailed Summary

The Federal Council justifies its action with the constitutional mandate to secure the cohesion of the Swiss nation of will. The population must be able to communicate across language boundaries in national languages – an imperative for national cohesion. The Federal Constitution obliges the Federal Government to ensure respect for linguistic diversity and protect national minorities. The cantons, in turn, have the task of harmonizing the school system and ensuring the quality of the Swiss education area.

The language strategy adopted by the cantons in 2004 was incorporated into the HarmoS Concordat in 2009 and stipulated that students learn two foreign languages: one national language and English. Currently, individual cantons are deviating from this line and planning to abolish foreign language instruction in a national language at the primary school level. The Federal Council considers this development unconstitutional.

Variant 1 directly codifies the current HarmoS solution in the Language Act: two foreign languages in the course of primary school. Variant 2 sets a minimum requirement: instruction in a second national language must begin in primary school and continue through the end of lower secondary school – with greater cantonal discretion. A legislative amendment is avoided if the cantons continue their existing strategy and refrain from deviating decisions. The Federal Council bases its action on Article 62, Paragraph 4 of the Federal Constitution, which obliges the Federal Government to issue requirements if the cantons cannot agree on a constitutionally compliant approach.

Key Statements

  • The Federal Council wants to anchor the teaching of national languages in law if cantons abandon their harmonization solution.
  • Two variants are under discussion: strict HarmoS codification or flexible minimum requirement.
  • The consultation until 5 October 2026 gives the cantons a final opportunity for self-regulation.

Critical Questions

  1. Evidence: How many cantons specifically plan to abolish foreign language instruction in national languages, and on what empirical basis (student numbers, performance data) is the Federal Council's concern founded?

  2. Conflicts of Interest: Which actors (cantonal governments, language associations, business) are driving the debate, and what incentives do they have to deviate from the HarmoS standard?

  3. Causality: Is it proven that the elimination of a national language in primary instruction actually endangers national cohesion, or are there alternative explanations for communication problems between language regions?

  4. Feasibility: How will compliance with a federal legal requirement be monitored, and what sanctions threaten non-compliant cantons?

  5. Alternatives: Why is a third variant not being discussed that replaces English with a second national language instead of prescribing both?

  6. Federalism: Does a federal requirement for primary school curricula violate the subsidiarity principle if education is traditionally a cantonal responsibility?

Bibliography

Primary Source: Federal Council Opens Consultation on Language Act Amendment – news.admin.ch, 12.06.2026

Supplementary Sources:

  1. Federal Act on National Languages and Understanding between Language Communities – Variant 1 (PDF)
  2. Federal Act on National Languages and Understanding between Language Communities – Variant 2 (PDF)
  3. Explanatory Report on Opening of the Consultation Procedure (PDF)
  4. Ongoing Consultations | Fedlex

Verification Status: ✓ 12.06.2026

This text was created with the support of an AI model. Editorial Responsibility: clarus.news | Fact-Check: 12.06.2026