It has wholly escaped the attention of foreign countries. Still, on March 12, 2025, the United Chambers (Vereinigte Bundesversammlung, l’Assemblée fédérale, chambre réunies) of the Swiss parliament (the Nationalrat/Conseil national and the Ständerat/Conseil d’États) elected a new member of the national government (Bundesrat/Conseil fédéral) based on the Zauberformul/formule magique. Martin Pfister from Die Mitte/Le Centre party is the successor of a party colleague who resigned early due to personal reasons.
Previous publications discuss the functioning of the government and the election procedures of government members in detail. What makes this election unique, however, is that it was made against the preference of the Die Mitte/Le Centre party leadership candidate.
The meeting room of the government (photo: www.admin.ch)
The appointment of members of the national government
Based on the Zauberformul/formule magique, the government has been composed since the 1950s of seven representatives from the four largest parties: currently, two seats are allocated to a conservative party, two to a liberal party, two to a left-wing party, and one to a centrist party (Die Mitte/Le Centre). This corresponds to the country’s voting: approximately 60-65% are conservative-liberal-centrist, and approximately 35-40% are left-green.
Due to the Zauberformul/formule magique, the recruitment of government members is one of the most important tasks of a governing party. This concept only works if the ministers from right to left are qualified and can also work together, not based on a government program, but on the necessary policy and topical issues.
Therefore, the members of parliament are free to choose. Candidates other than those officially nominated by the party have previously achieved the majority of the 246 votes. Multiple rounds of voting are often needed.
The first Federal Council was elected on 16 November 1848. (Photo: www.admin.ch)
The government is based on the principles of cooperation, finding compromises (Konkordanz/concordance), and speaking with one voice (Kollegialität/principe collégiale). These seven ministers are, so to speak, locked in an imaginary space of collegiality without a boss and without the possibility of announcing divergent policies to the public and media (in principle).
The election of a minister is also not a matter of one person, such as a prime minister, because Switzerland does not have a prime minister. The government is without hierarchy, and all members are entirely equal. Every year, the parliament elects one of its members as the head of state or president, who primarily has a ceremonial function. Reappointment is possible, but not for consecutive two-year terms.
In addition, candidates are extensively screened at the party level in the cantons (the breeding grounds of Swiss democracy). Apart from character traits and qualities, the focus is primarily on a candidate’s political track record, societal engagement, and involvement in public administration.
Candidates can’t be flown in to lead a party or become ministers after a long absence from the country. Government membership is a serious matter, and it is one of the highest offices in the country. The Swiss system has no place for opportunism or ‘the strong man or woman’.
Moreover, this procedure and the composition of the government deserve a place in the Guinness Book of World Records. Since 1848, the Swiss government has had seven members and seven departments, no more and no less. The proof of the pudding is in the eating, and this unique system in this multicultural, multilingual, and multireligious country with its 26 sovereign cantons has proven its value and usefulness.
The vote on a new government or a new member in the united session of Parliament. Photo: www.admin.ch
Reforms
That does not mean there is no need or desire for reform in some areas, such as the rise of new parties (the Greens and Green Liberals) and their presence in government at the expense of another party.
Due to increased government tasks and (international) complexity, expanding the government to two members is also under discussion.
Moreover, the number of optional referendums and popular initiatives is subject to inflation. When introduced in 1874 and 1891, it was not easy to collect the necessary signatures. Nowadays, with the help of modern social media, gathering the required 50,000 and 100,000 signatures is relatively easy.
Geneva, 25 September 2022, the national optional referendum.
Direct Democracy
This system dates back to 1848 and has been functioning for over 175 years. Direct democracy also results in the willingness and necessity to compromise from right to left. If a law or European/international policy is at stake, the people often have the last say in a (mandatory or optional) referendum.
This system works satisfactorily, although not perfectly. In general, society and citizens accept the (new) policy through extensive consultation of organisations and stakeholders and fundamental public discussions, and there is no place for hasty and opportunistic ‘one-man/woman shows’ of politicians.
Yet polarisation, personal and even rude attacks by some media and politicians on government members, and decreasing collegiality within the government are also increasing in Switzerland. This undermines the foundation of the system: Konkordanz and collegiality.
Bern, the seat of the national government and parliament
Conclusion
Swiss society and politics are also primarily based on the Militia principle (Milizprinzip/principe de milice). If polarisation and aggressiveness increase, fewer good candidates will want to give up their other careers for public office, partly due to the role of social media.
Therefore, the unique and good Swiss system is not self-evident. Not only ministers, but also citizens, the media, and society make a difference. In Switzerland, citizens are sovereign, which creates an obligation. The citizen is the political pearl of the country, noblesse oblige, and the ministers are only the executive power.
In other words:
“Democracy can be exhausting and tedious, and decisions often take longer than in other forms of government. Nevertheless, direct democracy is also the appropriate form of government from an ethical perspective.
The connection is indirect: the people affected by a decision make it together. And the people who made a decision also bear the consequences together.
The liberal demand for more freedom and personal responsibility is most comprehensively implemented in direct democracy. It is also clear that a state with well-developed participation rights has a much better relationship of trust between citizens and the state.
If citizens do not see the state as an enemy but as a community in which they are involved and can participate, they are more likely to accept decisions and be willing to engage.
It explains why the Swiss people do not want to join the European Union. After all, Switzerland left behind its European Union of sovereign cantons, the Eidgenössische Union, in 1848 and replaced it with a modern and more sustainable Confederation.
Or should the European Union join the Confoederatio Helvetica? (Th. Lötscher, Demokratie mit Zukunft. Die Erschaffung der modernen Schweiz, Thun, 2022). Or maybe Alsace, Baden in Baden-Württemberg, or Vorarlberg? Would the European Union be admitted because of its democratic functioning?
(Source: A. Vatter, Der Bundesrat, Zürich 2020; Swiss Parliament; Swiss Government)
The new government, 12 March 2025. The chancellor (Kanzler/chancelier) on the right (Photo: www.admin.ch)
