Swiss Federal Council proposes law to enforce second national language in primary schools

Cantons push to drop early French

Several German-speaking cantons have recently voted to move French instruction from primary to secondary school level. Zurich made its decision last September, St. Gallen followed in autumn 2025, Appenzell Ausserrhoden a year ago and Thurgau in April 2026. The trend has also surfaced in Basel-Landschaft, Schaffhausen and even bilingual Bern, where a motion was tabled and later withdrawn. Cantonal arguments cite pupil workload and poor learning outcomes, claiming the curriculum is overloaded and a later start would bring relief.

Two variants for the law

The government proposes two options. The first writes into the Language Act the existing HarmoS requirement of two foreign languages at primary level, a national language plus English, followed by 15 of 26 cantons. The second offers cantons more leeway, mandating only a second national language from primary school through to the end of lower secondary without specifying English.

“The status of the national languages in compulsory education is a matter of national importance.”

Government warns of threat to cohesion

Interior Minister Elisabeth Baume-Schneider told media in Bern that linguistic plurality is a pillar of Swiss cohesion and essential for communication, including economic reasons. The Constitution gives the Confederation a broad mandate to safeguard national languages.

“If the cantons cannot manage to settle the language question, the federal government will have to act.”

A preventive measure with a deadline

The move has a primarily preventive dimension, Baume-Schneider stressed. If cantons stick to the existing language strategy, the government will shelve the bill. The consultation runs until 5 October 2026, and any law would need parliamentary approval. The Council said it would follow local debates closely before deciding whether to proceed.