abstract:The 26 cantons of Switzerland are the member states of the federal state of Switzerland. Each canton was a fully sovereign state with its own border controls, army and currency from the Treaty of Westphalia (1648) until the establishment of the Swiss federal state in 1848.
Federalism and direct democracy, as well as respect and consideration for the interests of minorities and small cantons, are valuable concepts developed by Switzerland and used to the benefit of its people.
Preliminary results from Sunday's vote indicate that the initiative received unanimous support from all of Switzerland's 26 cantons, the government said.