Examination of validity

1 If the text of a popular initiative fails to comply with the principles of cohesion of subject matter (Art. 139 para. 3 and Art. 194 para. 2 Federal Constitution) or consistency of form (Art. 139 para. 3 and Art. 194 para. 3 Federal Constitution), or if the popular initiative violates mandatory provisions of international law (Art. 139 para. 3, Art. 193 para. 4 and Art. 194 para. 2 Federal Constitution), the Federal Assembly shall declare the initiative to be invalid as a whole or in part, to the extent that this is required.

2 There is cohesion of subject matter in a popular initiative when there is an intrinsic connection between the individual parts of the initiative.

3 There is consistency of form in a popular initiative when the initiative is couched exclusively in the form of a general proposal or of a specific draft provision.