The Federal Constitution of the Swiss Confederation

In the name of Almighty God! The Swiss People and the Cantons, mindful of their responsibility towards creation, resolved to renew their alliance so as to strengthen liberty, democracy, independence and peace in a spirit of solidarity and openness towards the world, determined to live together with mutual consideration and respect for their diversity, conscious of their common achievements and their responsibility towards future generations, and in the knowledge that only those who use their freedom remain free, and that the strength of a people is measured by the well-being of its weakest members, adopt the following Constitution : Adopted by the popular vote on 18 April 1999 (FedD of 18 Dec. 1998, FCD of 11 Aug. 1999; AS 1999 2556 ; BBl 1997 I 1 , 1999 162 5986 ) .