The Federal Council

26 January 2023

This article highlights the composition of the Federal Council. Subsequent contributions will address its functioning, legislative and decision-making processes, and working methods. The Council The Council (Bundesrat, Conseil fédéral, Consiglio federale, Cussegl federal) consists of seven members. The Federal Chancellery and  Chancellor (Bundeskanzlei, Chancellerie fédérale, Cancelleria federale, Chanzlia federala) supports the Council. The Council and … Read more » “The Federal Council”

The Referendum

16 January 2023

There is another player besides Switzerland’s parliament and government: the citizens. Referendums can always present decision-makers (federal, cantonal, and municipal) with alternative perspectives. The Constitution covers three types of federal referendums. The cantons and municipalities also have referendums. Mandatory referendum A mandatory referendum (das obligatorische Referendum) must take place if the Constitution stipulates it, for … Read more » “The Referendum”

The National Council

10 January 2023

Definition The National Council, also known as the Nationalrat (Volkskammer, Erste Kammer, Grosse Kammer), represents the people in the parliamentary system. It has powers identical to those of the Council of States (discussed in the previous contribution). The 200 seats are distributed in proportion to the votes obtained in elections held every four years. Seats The twenty-six cantons … Read more » “The National Council”

The Council of States

8 January 2023

The parliamentary system consists of two chambers. This article focuses on the Council of States, also known as the Ständerat (Kantonskammer, Zweite Kammer, Kleine Kammer, Senate, Chambre de réflexion). The other chamber, the National Council (Nationalrat, or Volkskammer, Erste Kammer, Grosse Kammer), will be discussed in the following article. This contribution provides a brief review of the history, role, and position … Read more » “The Council of States”

The Electoral System

29 December 2022

Introduction Direct democracy, federalism, and a unique political system featuring directly elected members of the executive (government) at the canton and municipal levels are the foundations of the country’s political stability.  Collegiality applies at three levels: the municipality, the canton, and the federal government (Bund/Fédération). The government speaks with one voice. Parliament can never dismiss the … Read more » “The Electoral System”

The Swiss Constitution

21 December 2022

The Founders There are two founders of the Swiss Confederation (Confoederatio Helvetica): the people and the cantons, as stated in the Preamble and Article 1 of the Federal Constitution (FC) (Bundesverfassung, Constituziun federala, Constitution fédérale, Costituzione federale). The Swiss people and the cantons (Das Schweizervolk und die Kantone, Il peuple svizzero et les cantons suisses, … Read more » “The Swiss Constitution”

The Sonderbund War that brought Peace

19 December 2022

Switzerland has a reputation for slow decision-making in politics. However, the country introduced Europe’s first democracy (for men and with many exemptions) and first trilingual confederal republic in 1848. The cantons are the experimental gardens of new political concepts; ultimately, the citizens always have the last say, as all citizens are, in a sense, politicians. … Read more » “The Sonderbund War that brought Peace”

Swiss Democracy at Work

16 December 2022

Switzerland’s political system is unique and functions relatively well. The country is the world champion of direct citizen control over municipal, cantonal, and national policy. The people directly elect the governments of municipalities and cantons through the absolute majority system per candidate. Moreover, the number of municipal council members or cantonal government members is limited … Read more » “Swiss Democracy at Work”

The Swiss Police

22 November 2022

Available in German, French and Dutch, see also: www.admin.ch;  www.polizei.ch)

The National Conferences on Federalism

8 November 2022

The National Conferences on Federalism (Die Nationalen Föderalismuskonferenzen) were created by the government (Bundesrat), the Council of States (Ständerat) and the 26 cantons. Since then, six conferences have taken place: 2005 in Fribourg, 2008 in Baden (Canton of Aargau), 2011 in Mendrisio (Canton of Ticino), 2014 in Solothurn, 2017 in Montreux (Canton of Vaud) and … Read more » “The National Conferences on Federalism”