The creation of a uniform Swiss citizenship, which applied equally for citizens of the old towns and their tenants and servants, led to conflict.

The compromise solution, which was written into the municipal laws of the Helvetic Republic, is still valid today.

The first, the so-called municipality, was a political community formed by election and its voting body consists of all resident citizens.

In the Regeneration era (1830–1848), the liberal revolutions of the common people helped to restore some rights again in a few cantons.

It was not until the political municipality acquired rights over property that served the public (such as schools, fire stations, etc.)

This revised constitution finally removed all the political voting and electoral body rights from the Bürgergemeinde.

The federal constitution protects the autonomy of municipalities within the framework set out by cantonal law.

In some cantons, foreigners who have lived for a certain time in Switzerland are also allowed to participate in municipal politics.

As at the cantonal and federal level, citizens enjoy political rights, including direct democratic ones, in their municipality.

These designations result from tradition or local preference – for example, several small municipalities designated as cities held city rights in medieval times – and normally do not impact the legal or political rights or obligations of the municipalities under cantonal or federal law.