Public service

The term in Switzerland refers to the basic provision of standard infrastructure from the confederation, cantons and the communes for everyone in society and all the country’s regions.

The assignment of responsibilities is shared. At the federal level, public service includes the federal administration, post, telecommunications, electronic media (radio and television), public transport and to some extent road construction. The cantons and communes are responsible for health care, education, waste disposal, water and electricity.

Public service is a long-standing issue in Switzerland. Politicians on the right want to leave as little as possible to the public authorities. The unions and left-wing parties on the other hand call for a strong public service.