Commentaries: Art. 159

The Councils are quorate if a majority of their members is present.
Decisions are taken in both Chambers and in the United Federal Assembly by the majority of those who vote.
However, the consent of an absolute majority of the members of each of the two Councils is required for:
1. a declaration that a federal act is urgent;
2. provisions on subsidies, guarantee credits or spending ceilings that involve new non-recurrent expenditure of more than 20 million francs or new recurrent expenditure of more than 2 million francs;
3. ¹ an increase in overall expenditure in the case of extraordinary financial requirements in terms of Article 126 paragraph 3.
The Federal Assembly may, by ordinance, adjust subsidies made in terms of paragraph 3 letter b in line with inflation.²

Adopted by the popular vote on 2 Dec. 2001, in force since 2 Dec. 2001 (FedD of 22 June 2001, FCD of 4 Feb. 2002;AS 2002 241;BBl 2000 4653, 2001 23872878, 2002 1209). ↩
Adopted by the popular vote on 2 Dec. 2001, in force since 2 Dec. 2001 (FedD of 22 June 2001, FCD of 4 Feb. 2002;AS 2002 241;BBl 2000 4653, 2001 23872878, 2002 1209). ↩

Art. 159