The Swiss

Confederation
a brief guide

2021

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Preface

“Democratic proce-
Dear Reader

dures take longer, but Political developments in recent years show that not every
country has to remain democratic just because it once was.

provide more stability In fact, democratic processes are increasingly being called
into question because they allegedly produce ‘the wrong

and engender greater outcome’. Reference is made to lower COVID-19 case num-
bers in authoritarian states or to higher economic growth

acceptance in the long rates. Some peevishly ask whether the urgent problems of
today can ever be resolved through lengthy democratic

term.” procedures and compromises.

Federal Chancellor Walter Thurnherr Those who argue in this way have not understood the es-
sence of democracy. There are countries where the govern-
ment controls the people. And there are countries where the
people control the government. Democracies fall under the
second category.

It is true that even authoritarian regimes sometimes make

decisions that are supported by the majority. But there are
no rules defining how the majority can overturn decisions if
they no longer agree with them. Democratic procedures take
longer, but over the years, they provide more stability and
engender greater acceptance.

Those who want to preserve democracy respect the institu-

tions, the independence of the courts, the competences of
the different powers and the fundamental values of the con-
stitution.

If you would like to gain a better understanding of Switzer-

land’s style of democracy, you will gain an initial overview by
browsing through this copy of ‘The Swiss Confederation – a
brief guide’. And if you want to defend it, exercise your right
to vote and stand for election!

Federal Chancellor Walter Thurnherr

3
 Table of Contents

Facts Foundation
Switzerland Direct democracy
6 16

The history of Switzerland

• 10 S eparation of powers
• 20

Federalism
• 12 Votes
• 22

I•nternational agreements E lections

• 24
and memberships 14
• olitical parties in the Federal
P
Council and in Parliament 26

Complementary resources to accompany the brochure:

• CH info app for smartphones and tablets
• Teaching material
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4
The Legislature The Executive The Judiciary

Switzerland
Parliament The Government The Courts
28 46 72

•The roles of Parliament 32 The Federal Council

• 50 The Federal Supreme Court
• 76

Democracy
•Organisation of Parliament 34 The Federal Council’s tasks
• 52 The Federal Criminal Court
• 78

•Particularities of Parliament 40 Federal Administration

• 54 • he Swiss Federal
T
Administrative Court 79
•How new laws come about 42 Federal Chancellery FCh
• 56
Federal Patent Court
• 80

Parliament
•The Parliamentary Services 45 • ederal Department
F
of Foreign Affairs FDFA 58 •udgments delivered
J
by the federal courts 81
• ederal Department
F
of Home Affairs FDHA 60

• ederal Department
F

Government
of Justice and Police FDJP 62

Federal Department
•
of Defence, Civil Protection
and Sport DDPS 64

• ederal Department
F
of Finance FDF 66
Courts

• ederal Department of
F
Economic Affairs, Education
and Research EAER 68

• ederal Department of the

F
Environment, Transport,
Energy and Communications
DETEC 70

5
Switzerland The people of Switzerland get the day off thanks
On 1 August, Switzerland celebrates its National to a popular initiative from 1993 ‘for a national
Day. Beacon fires are lit around the country that holiday on 1 August’, adopted after 84 % of voters
can be seen for miles around. came out in favour.
 Switzerland
Switzerland is a small country with a population of 8.6 million people.
It has 4 language regions and 26 cantons, which are largely inde-
pendent and consist of numerous local authorities or communes.
Multilingualism and federalism have their roots in the past, yet still
shape Switzerland today. Its neutrality is recognised by all states of
the world.
Switzerland

26 cantons
SH

BS Thurgau

BL Aargau Zurich
Jura AR
SO AI

St Gallen
Zug
Lucerne
Schwyz
Neuchâtel Glarus
NW
Bern
OW
Uri
Graubünden
Fribourg
Vaud

Ticino

Geneva Valais

AI Appenzell Innerrhoden NW Nidwalden

AR Appenzell Ausserrhoden OW Obwalden
BL Basel-Landschaft SH Schaffhausen
www.statistik.ch BS Basel-Stadt SO Solothurn

8
8.6 million people 4 national languages
There are 8.6 million people living in Switzerland, a quar- Switzerland is a multilingual country. The four national
ter of them without a Swiss passport. More than half of languages are German, French, Italian and Romansh.
these foreign nationals were either born in Switzerland or 62 per cent of the population primarily speak (Swiss-)
have been living here for at least ten years. The majority German, 23 per cent French, 8 per cent Italian and
of the foreign population comes from an EU country. 0.5 per cent Romansh. For 25 per cent of the population,
The largest foreign national groups are from Italy (15 %), their mother tongue is not one of Switzerland’s national
Germany (14 %) and Portugal (12 %). languages. Many people state that they have two main
languages, i.e. they are bilingual.

62 % German

23 % French

Switzerland
0.5 % Romansh

Non-Swiss citizens 2 175 000 8 % Italian

Christian majority High life expectancy

66 per cent of people living in Switzerland claim affiliation People in Switzerland are getting older and older and
to the Christian faith. 26 % state that they have no reli- have fewer children than before. Average life expectancy
gious affiliation; this number has been on the rise for is one of the highest in the world: it is 82 years for men
several years. The religious landscape is changing: the and 86 years for women. Women have 1.5 children on
two main Christian denominations, Protestants and average. The proportion of people over 64 years of age in
Catholics, are declining. In 1970, 96 % of the population the population has increased, while that of people under
was affiliated to Christian denominations (49 % Protes- 20 years of age and 20 to 64 years of age has declined.
tant, 47 % Catholic).

Men Age Women

100

90
36 % Roman Catholic
80

26 % No religious affiliation 70

60
24 % Protestant Reformed 50

40
6 % Other Christian denominations
30

5 % Islamic denominations 20

10

3 % Other / Not specified 0

2019 1950

9
 The History of Switzerland
Switzerland developed over the centuries from a collection of
The History of Switzerland

different alliances to a confederation of states and finally to the

federal state we know today. Its national borders and neutrality were
established and recognised internationally in 1815. Its political
system dates back to the Federal Constitution of 1848. Since then
the powers of the federal government, political rights and political
diversity have increased significantly.
Switzerland

1847 – 1848 1848 1874, 1891 1914 – 1918

Sonderbund War Federal Constitution Expanded democracy First World War,
Liberals against Democratic federal Initiative, referendum General strike
conservatives state Socialist ideas
The revised Federal Constitu-
Diverging views on how the The Federal Constitution tion transferred more tasks to Poverty and unemployment
Confederation would be provided most citizens (men) the federal government and during the First World War
organised led to a civil war with various rights and free- broadened democratic rights and socialist ideas from the
between liberal and Catholic doms, including the right to at federal level. The referen- Russian Revolution culminat-
conservative cantons. It was a vote and be elected. The dum was introduced in 1874 ed in a general strike in 1918.
war from which liberal forces bicameral system was intro- and the popular initiative in
emerged victorious. duced at federal level with the 1891. ( p. 22)
National Council and Council
of States electing the Federal
Council. Some powers were
centralised. Switzerland
developed into a unitary
judicial and economic area.

10
 The History of Switzerland
Switzerland
1291 1798 – 1802 1803 – 1814 1815
Old Confederation Helvetic Republic Mediation Federal Treaty
Alliances Unitary state under Loose foreign control Neutrality and
foreign control alliance of states
Shifting alliances between After civil wars broke out
cities and outlying areas Following the French invasion between federalists and With the defeat of Napoleon,
served to maintain internal in 1798, the Confederation supporters of the Helvetic the great European powers
political order and external was transformed into the Republic, Napoleon ordered a recognised Swiss neutrality
independence. In 1291 the Helvetic Republic: a unitary constitution based on the Act and set Switzerland’s borders
original forest cantons of Uri, state ruled from Paris. of Mediation, which restored as they are today. The Federal
Schwyz and Unterwalden some autonomy to the can- Treaty of 1815 brought to-
entered into the first docu- tons and set most of the gether the various federal
mented alliance. In the follow- cantonal borders. alliances into a single confed-
ing centuries, the Confedera- eration of states.
tion continued to grow
through alliances and
territorial conquests.

1919, 1929 1939 – 1945 1971 2000

Proportional Second World War Equal opportunities Third Federal
representation Inclusion of the left Women’s franchise Constitution
Towards consensus Continuity and
Against the backdrop of the In February 1971, 66% of the
democracy Second World War, the politi- electorate, then exclusively
openness
cal forces from left to right male, voted in favour of the
In 1919, the National Council The totally revised Federal
moved closer together. In women’s franchise at federal
was elected on a proportional Constitution regulated the
1943 Parliament elected a level. Most cantons and
basis and a second Catholic division of tasks between the
Social Democrat into govern- communes also gave women
Conservative (CVP/Die Mitte Confederation and the can-
ment, and in 1951 the left- the vote following this deci-
today) entered the Federal tons. In 2000, Swiss voters
wing party gained a second sion.
Council. A member of the approved the bilateral agree-
seat on the Federal Council.
Farmers’, Trades’ and Citi- ments between Switzerland
Since 1959, the Federal
zens’ Party (SVP today) and the European Union. Two
Council has comprised mem-
entered the Federal Council in years later they voted in
bers from four political parties
1929. favour of joining the United
(‘magic formula’ p. 51).
Nations. ( p. 14/15)

11
 Federalism
Switzerland is a federal state: state power is shared between the
federal government, the cantons and the communes. The cantons
and communes have broad scope in carrying out their responsibili-
ties. Federalism makes it possible for Switzerland to exist as one
Federalism

entity – in spite of four linguistic cultures and varying regional

characteristics.
Switzerland

1 26
Switzerland, which is also referred to as the The Confederation is made up of 26 cantons.
Swiss Confederation, has been a federal state Each canton has its own parliament, government,
since 1848. courts and constitution.

Confederation Cantons
The Federal Constitution defines the Confederation’s The cantonal constitution may not contradict the Federal
tasks and responsibilities. These include Switzerland’s Constitution. The cantons implement the requirements of
relations with the outside world, defence, the national the Confederation, but structure their activities in accor­
road network, and nuclear energy. Switzerland’s Parlia­ dance with their particular needs. They have broad scope
ment, the Federal Assembly, is made up of the National in deciding how to meet their responsibilities, for example
Council and the Council of States; the government com­ in the areas of education and healthcare, cultural affairs
prises seven federal councillors, and the Federal Supreme and police matters. Each canton levies its own cantonal
Court is responsible for national jurisprudence. The Con­ taxes.
federation is financed among other means through direct
federal tax.
85 per cent of the population Proceeds from direct federal In the national fiscal equalisa- People’s assemblies (Lands-
lives in urban areas. tax account for 31 per cent of tion plan, the Confederation gemeinde) are still held in the
the Confederation’s total and 7 cantons are net contrib- cantons of Appenzell Inner-
revenues. utors and 19 cantons are net rhoden and Glarus.
beneficiaries.

12
 Communes
An average of approximately
30 communes merge every
year, thereby reducing the
total number of communes.

Federalism
Confederation
11 per cent of all Swiss citi-
zens live outside Switzerland
(the ‘Swiss Abroad’).

Switzerland
2172
The 26 cantons are divided into 2172 communes.
Each canton determines how it allocates respon-
sibilities between itself and the communes.

Cantons
Gross domestic product per
capita in the canton of Basel-­
Stadt is approximately three
times higher than in the
canton of Uri.

Canton of Uri

Communes
The responsibilities of the communes include local
planning, running schools, social welfare and the fire
service. Larger communes and cities have their own
parliaments, and organise their own referendums. In
smaller communes, decisions are made by the citizens
at communal assemblies. Each commune levies a com­ Canton of Basel-Stadt
munal tax.

The smallest commune In four out of five communes,

(Kammersrohr, SO) has a eligible voters decide on polit-
population of 28, the largest ical issues at communal
approximately 415,000 (City assemblies.
Video Federalism
of Zurich).
(in German)

13
International agreements and memberships

International agreements
and memberships

Europe
Switzerland

Agreements with the Memberships

European Union EU EFTA
The European Free Trade Association promotes free trade
Switzerland is not a member of the EU, but has close rela-
between its members Switzerland, Liechtenstein, Iceland
tions with it. These are governed by around 20 major bilat-
and Norway. Together with the EU countries, the EFTA
eral agreements primarily concluded in two packages:
countries – excluding Switzerland – form the European
Economic Area (EEA). Swiss voters rejected membership
The first series of bilateral agreements largely governs
of the EEA in 1992.
economic matters. The main aim is to facilitate market
access for both sides (goods, services, labour). In 2000, • member states
4
the package was approved by 67 % of Swiss voters. They •H eadquarters in Geneva
consist of 7 agreements. If one of these agreements is •Founded in 1960, Switzerland a founding member
terminated by Switzerland or the EU, the other 6 agree-
ments automatically cease to apply (‘guillotine clause’). Council of Europe
The Council of Europe is dedicated to protecting human
The second series of bilateral agreements governs rights, the rule of law and democracy. Its most important
further economic aspects, as well as cooperation in the agreement is the European Convention on Human Rights.
fields of asylum, security, the environment and culture. Human rights violations can be brought before the Euro-
There are 9 agreements, including the Schengen-Dublin pean Court of Human Rights in Strasbourg.
agreement, which was approved by 55 % of voters in
2005. Schengen facilitates transnational mobility and co- • 7 member states
4
•H eadquarters in Strasbourg
operation on justice and police. Dublin facilitates coordina-
•Founded in 1949, Switzerland a member since 1963
tion on asylum proceedings.

• 7 member states
2
•Headquarters in Brussels
•Since 1951 (formerly ECSC, EEC)

International Geneva
Many international organisa-
tions and non-governmental Neutrality
organisations (NGOs) are Switzerland is a neutral state: it may not take part
based in Geneva. Around in armed conflicts or enter into military alliances.
32,000 international officials
Switzerland’s neutrality is recognised worldwide.
work there. International
conferences and gatherings That is why it is often asked to mediate in conflicts
are held there all the time. or exercise protective power mandates.

14
Switzerland is a neutral country with worldwide connections: it has

International agreements and memberships

ties with the European Union through a network of bilateral agree-
ments, and it is a member of the United Nations and other interna-
tional organisations. Experts and politicians from around the world
meet in Geneva to work together internationally.

World

Switzerland
Memberships
United Nations UN WTO
All 193 states of the world belong to the UN. It is commit- The World Trade Organization promotes and regulates
ted to promoting peace and worldwide cooperation in global trade in goods and services. The aim of the WTO
solving global problems. The principles of the UN are laid agreements is to ensure that trade is as free, unhindered
down in the Charter of the United Nations. Switzerland and non-discriminatory as possible. WTO members un-
has been a member of the UN since 2002: In a referen- dertake to comply with certain basic rules in shaping their
dum, accession was accepted by 55 % of Swiss voters. trade relations.

• 93 member states
1 • 64 member states
1
•M ain headquarters in New York, European headquaters in Geneva •H eadquarters in Geneva
and Vienna •F ounded in 1995, Switzerland a founding member
•F ounded in 1945, Switzerland a member since 2002

OECD
OSCE The Organisation for Economic Cooperation and Devel-
The Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe, opment is a forum for exchanging knowledge in a wide
with its participating states in North America, Europe and variety of fields. Its goal is to promote prosperity, quality
Asia, is the world’s largest regional security organisation. of life and equal opportunities. The OECD develops inter-
It takes measures to promote peace and resolve conflicts. national standards and regularly publishes international
It mediates between parties involved in conflict and sup- statistics and studies, including the PISA studies.
ports the reconstruction of political structures.
• 7 member states
3
• 7 participating states
5 •H eadquarters in Paris
•H eadquarters in Vienna •F ounded in 1961, Switzerland a founding member
•F ounded in 1975, Switzerland a founding member

UNESCO
The United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural
Organisation, also active in the field of communication, is Partnerships
a forum for international cooperation and the develop-
ment of global standards. Its aim is to promote solidarity NATO Partnership for Peace
among people and thereby contribute to peace, security Switzerland is not a member of NATO, but cooperates
and sustainable development. with it within the framework of the Partnership for Peace
and the Euro-Atlantic Partnership Council. NATO is a
• 93 member states
1 political and military defence alliance of 30 European and
•H eadquarters in Paris
North American countries. Together with partner coun-
•F ounded in 1945, Switzerland a member since 1949
tries, it works for security and peace.

• 0 members
3
•H eadquarters in Brussels
•Founded in 1949

15
 Direct democracy
2021 marks the 50 th anniversary of Swiss women At the women’s strike in 2019, hundreds of
obtaining the right to vote and be elected at thousands took to the streets to demand equal
federal level. And it is 40 years since gender equal- pay, better work-life balance and an end to
ity was enshrined in the Federal Constitution. sexism.

16
17
 Direct democracy

Is there any other country where people have as many democratic

rights as in Switzerland? People vote on specific issues three to four
times a year. Every four years there are parliamentary elections. The
separation of powers ensures that power is not concentrated in the
hands of any single person or political party: this is a fundamental
principle of Swiss democracy.
Democracy

Turnout for votes and elections

Usually around 45 % of those eligible to vote cast their
ballots in federal votes. Voter turnout may be higher or
lower depending on the issue that is being voted on.
Turnout is similar in elections: just under 50 % of Swiss
women and men normally vote in federal elections.

Casting your ballot

Voters have various ways of casting their ballots:

• By post: voters send their ballot paper by post in the

official envelope or pop it in the mail box at their local
council offices.
• At the ballot box: voters can put their ballot paper
in the ballot box at the local polling station.

E-voting People’s assemblies

The Confederation and the (Landsgemeinden)
cantons now have more than In the cantons of Glarus and
15 years of experience with Appenzell Innerrhoden, several
e-voting. Currently, however, thousand voters gather out-
e-voting has been suspended. doors once a year to vote in
The rules on e-voting are a people’s assembly (Lands-
being revised for the next trial gemeinde). They vote to elect
phase in order to increase their representatives and to
system stability using fully decide on proposals that affect
verifiable systems. their canton. The people’s
assembly is an ancient form of
Swiss democracy.
www.ch.ch/democracy

18
Separation of powers Right to vote and to be elected
Power is divided among the three branches of the State, Swiss citizens aged 18 and over have the right to vote
the legislature (Parliament), the executive (Federal Coun- and they can stand as candidates for public office.
cil) and the judiciary (courts). Around 5.5 million people are eligible to vote.
e

Ex
ur

ec
at
isl

uti
Leg

ve
Branch

Judiciary

Democracy
Popular votes A wide range of parties
The Swiss are world champions at voting: they vote on Switzerland’s political landscape is home to a diverse
every amendment to the Constitution. By launching a range of parties, none of which has a majority at federal
popular initiative or calling for a referendum, citizens can level – neither in Parliament nor in the Federal Council.
demand that a vote be held on a political issue.

The Greens

SP
GLP

FDP
Voting today The Centre
EVP

SVP Others

19
 Separation of powers

The Swiss people

Separation of powers

The Swiss people elect the

Parliament (the legislature):
The 200 members of the National
Council and the 46 members of
the Council of States.
Democracy

National Council
= 10,000 people

Council of States

The legislature
Parliament
Passing laws
Parliament decides on new laws and oversees the Feder-
al Council and the Federal Administration as well as the
federal courts and the Office of the Attorney General of
Switzerland. It comprises two chambers: The National
Council represents the People, while the Council of
States represents the 26 cantons. The two Councils have
equal powers. Together they make up the United Federal
Assembly. ( p. 30ff.)

20
The separation of powers prevents a concentration of power in the
hands of any individual person or institution. It is a basic principle of
democracy: power is divided among the three branches of state, the
legislature, executive and judiciary. No one may serve more than one
of the three branches of state at any given time.

Separation of powers
Parliament also appoints the
Attorney General: he or she
heads the Office of the Attorney
General of Switzerland, which
Parliament elects Parliament appoints the prosecutes offences involving
the government judges (the judiciary): explosives and espionage as
(the executive): The president of the Federal well as offences committed by
The seven members of the Supreme Court and the judges federal employees while carrying
Federal Council and the of the four federal courts. out their official duties.
Federal Chancellor. www.attorneygeneral.ch

Democracy
DETEC

DDPS

FDHA

EAER
FDJP

FDFA

FDF

The executive The judiciary

The government The courts
Implementing laws Laying down the law
The Federal Council is Switzerland’s government: it draws There are four federal courts. The highest court is the
up new laws and ensures that the decisions of Parliament Federal Supreme Court: it hears appeals against the judg-
are implemented. It comprises seven equal members; ments of the other courts and issues the final judgment
they reach their decisions together. Each Federal Council- in most cases. The Federal Criminal Court, the Federal
lor heads a department. The seven departments and the Administrative Court and the Federal Patent Court are the
Federal Chancellery make up the Federal Administration. federal courts of first instance. Most of their decisions can
( p. 48ff.) be appealed to the Federal Supreme Court. ( 74ff.)

21
 Votes
The electorate decides on political issues up to four times a year.
Votes are held on popular initiatives and on certain parliamentary
decisions, in most cases having to do with constitutional or legisla-
tive amendments.

Changing the Constitution Putting a stop to a new law

In Switzerland, every amendment to the Constitution If Parliament passes a new law or approves an interna-
must be put to a vote (mandatory referendum) – wheth- tional treaty, those eligible to vote may request a referen-
Votes

er the proposed amendment was passed by Parliament dum against it (optional referendum).
or put forward by popular initiative. If they are successful, a referendum is held in which the
For a new constitutional article to come into force, the law or treaty in question is put to a vote. A majority of
consent of a majority of the People (popular majority) and voters must approve the law or referendum for it to come
Democracy

the cantons (majority of the cantons) is needed (double into force (simple majority).
majority). A popular vote is also ‘mandatory’ for Switzer-
land to join an organisation for collective security or a 2021 voting dates Information
supranational community (e.g. the UN or the EU). Swit- Votes are scheduled to take • Explanatory pamphlets are
place on the following Sundays sent by post to eligible
zerland can only join such an organisation or community if in 2021: voters
a double majority is achieved. 7 March, 13 June, • ‘VoteInfo’ app
26 September and • www.admin.ch
28 November • www.ch.ch/en/demokratie
Swiss citizens aged 18 and over are eligible to vote and
• Explanatory videos
may cast their ballots in federal votes.

Instruments of direct democracy

Popular initiative Optional referendum
Anyone who has the right to vote in Switzerland can To bring a decision made by Parliament to a vote (e.g. to
launch or sign a popular initiative to amend the Constitu- stop a new law from passing), anyone who has the right
tion. For a vote to be held on a popular initiative, 100,000 to vote can launch an optional referendum. To do so, they
valid signatures must be collected within a period of must collect 50,000 valid signatures within 100 days. An
18 months. optional referendum is also held upon request by eight
cantons (‘referendum requested by the cantons’).
Popular initiatives were intro- As of 31 December 2020, 11
duced at federal level in 1891. initiatives were at the signa- The optional referendum was As of 31 December 2020, the
220 have been voted on since ture-gathering stage, 15 were introduced in 1874. 196 have referendum period was run-
then. 22 have been accepted. pending before the Federal been held since then; 82 of ning for 45 federal acts and
Council or Parliament, and 3 the proposals were rejected decrees. Signatures were
were ready to be put to a by voters. being gathered for a vote on
vote. 4 proposals.

YouTube videos on
proposals submitted to the
vote of the People

22
Number of people entitled to play a part in political life as a proportion of the overall population
Votes held in
2020
29 November
8,600,000 Federal Popular Initiative ‘For
responsible businesses – pro-
tecting human rights and the
environment’ (Responsible
people live in Switzerland Business Initiative).
no (accepted by 50.7 %
of the People, but rejected
by the cantons)

5,500,000 Federal Popular Initiative ‘For

a ban on financing war mate-
rial manufacturers’.
57.5 % no
have the right to vote (i.e. are at least 18 years old and have a Swiss passport)

27 September
Federal Popular Initiative
‘For moderate immigration’
2,475,000 (Limitation Initiative).
61.7 % no

Votes
Amendment to the Federal
on average take part in votes (around 45 % of eligible voters) Act on the Hunting and Pro-
tection of Wild Mammals and
Birds (Hunting Act).
51.9 % no

Democracy
100,000 Amendment to the Federal
Act on Direct Federal Taxation
(child deductions).
63.2 % no
can trigger a popular vote to amend the Constitution (‘popular initiative’)
Amendment to the Federal
Act on Compensation for
Loss of Earnings for Persons

50,000 on Military Service or Materni-

ty Leave (paternity leave).
60.3 % yes

Federal Decree on the Pro-

can trigger a popular vote on a new law (‘optional referendum’)
curement of new Fighter
Aircraft.
50.1 % yes

17 May
In a historic decision, this
vote was cancelled by the
Federal Council because of
Effects of initiatives and referendums
the coronavirus pandemic.
Even if most initiatives fail and only very few laws are Only two other votes have
stopped by a referendum, these two instruments can still been cancelled since Switzer-
have a major impact: land became a federal state in
1848: once in 1920 and again
in 1951, because of foot-and-
• They lead to public discussions on the topics they mouth disease.
involve.
• They can influence legislation: groups that are likely to
9 February
launch a referendum are taken into consideration in the Federal Popular Initiative for
drafting of new laws ( page 42/43). ‘More affordable homes’.
• The Federal Council and Parliament will sometimes 57.1 % no
make counter-proposals to initiatives, to address the
Amendments to the Swiss
initiative’s concerns in a different way. Criminal Code and the Military
Criminal Code (ban on dis-
crimination based on sexual
orientation).
63.1 % yes

23
 Elections
Elections to the Federal Assembly are held every four years. Voters
aim to elect the 246 members of parliament that best represent their
views. They have a large number of candidates from a wide range of
parties from which to choose.

Elections to the National Council Elections to the Council of

States
Elections

Elections to the National Council are federal elections.

The provisions of the Federal Act on Political Rights apply
Elections to the Council of States are governed by can-
in all cantons.
tonal law: each canton has its own rules on who is eligible
Right to vote and to be elected to vote, when elections are held, what the election proce-
Swiss citizens over the age of 18 are eligible to vote: not dure is and how ballot papers are completed. However,
Democracy

only can they vote for the members of the National Coun- the following rules are the same in all 26 cantons: elec-
cil (right to vote), they can also stand for election to the tions to the Council of States are held every four years
National Council (right to be elected). and candidates for election to the Council of States must
be at least 18 years old and hold Swiss citizenship.
Elections based on proportional representation
Elections to the National Council in most cantons are
Elections based on the simple majority system
based on a system of proportional representation: seats
Elections to the Council of States in almost every canton
are allocated in proportion to the number of votes each
are based on the simple majority system: the person who
party or party list receives.
receives the most votes is elected.
Election guide
An election guide explains how to complete and return • Absolute majority: the person who receives more than
the official ballot papers correctly in cantons with more half of all the votes cast is elected.
than one seat in the National Council. Every voter is sent • Relative majority: the person who receives more votes
the guide, which is also available online. than any of the other candidates is elected.

Examples of cantonal differences

Dates
The most recent federal In the canton of Glarus, Swiss citizens aged 16 and 17
elections were held on 20 Oc- can also vote in elections to the Council of States. Candi-
tober 2019. The next elections dates for the Council of States must be under the age of
to the National Council and (in
65. In Appenzell Innerrhoden, voters elect their member
most cantons) the Council of
States will be held on of the Council of States at an outdoor assembly (‘the
22 October 2023 Landsgemeinde’), which is always held in the April before
the elections to the National Council. In the cantons of
Jura and Neuchâtel, a system of proportional representa-
tion is used, while in the other cantons the simple majority
system applies. Swiss citizens living abroad are only eligi-
ble to vote in certain cantons.

Youtube – Election guide

Youtube – How do you Elections to the
Who has the right vote? National Council www.ch.ch/
to vote? (in German) (in German) elections 2019

24
 Parties from left to right
In the elections to the Swiss parliament, there are quite a
number of parties to choose from, some very different
from others. They differ from each other in their views on
the role of the state, society and the economy.

Whereas left-wing parties (SP, the Greens) favour a highly

developed social state, right-of-centre parties (FDP, SVP)
advocate a liberal economic policy and personal respon-
Elections are decisive
sibility. Certain political issues are neither distinctly left nor
Even in Switzerland most issues are decided by
right-wing, i.e. environmental protection, the question of
Parliament or the government. However, between
how open Switzerland should be towards the EU and
the elections in 2015 and 2019, the electorate was
international organisations, and issues regarding liberal
called on to vote on 33 specific proposals. In the
values (e.g. same-sex partnerships). Depending on the
same period, Parliament passed 464 laws, includ-
issue, centre parties (e.g. ‘The Centre’, previously the
ing 134 federal acts and 94 federal decrees. It also
CVP) will cooperate with either left or right-wing parties.
elected the government, the members of the
federal courts and the Attorney General.
Political parties help to form political opinion, nominate
candidates for public office and launch initiatives and

Elections
referendums. Parties differ from each other in their views
on the role of the state, society and the economy

What does ‘left-wing’ What does ‘right-wing’

mean? mean?
• A strong social state that • Freedom and personal

Democracy
levels social disparities responsibility; the state
• Emphasis on workers’ intervenes only where
interests absolutely necessary
• Price controls, public • Emphasis on employers’
services interests
• More peace policy, less • Free enterprise, economic
military incentives
• Strong national defence

Party strengths (shares of the vote in elections to the National Council 2019)

32 %

28 %

24 %

20 %

16 %

12 %

8 %

4 %

0 %

1991 1995 1999 2003 2007 2011 2015 2019

FDP Small centrist parties Small left-wing and green Small right-wing parties
CVP (LDU, EVP, CSP) alternative parties (PdA, (Lega, MCR, EDU, etc.)
EàG, etc.)
SP GLP Others
SVP BDP The Greens

25
 Political parties in the Federal
Political parties in the Federal Council and in Parliament

Council and in Parliament

Switzerland’s political landscape comprises many different parties,
of which none holds a majority at federal level. In the 2019 – 2023
legislature period, eleven political parties are represented in the
National Council. Five of those are also represented in the Council
of States, four in the Federal Council.

At the 2019 federal elections, the two ecological parties Parties with similar political
convictions come together in
made the largest gains: The Greens won an additional
parliamentary groups ( p. 36).
17 seats and the glp 9 seats. Although the SVP lost the
most seats – 12 in all – it remains the strongest party in the
National Council. The other parties represented in the
Federal Council also lost seats: the SP and FDP both lost
4 seats, while the CVP lost 2 seats.
Democracy

SVP – SP – Swiss Social FDP – The Centre**

Swiss People’s Party Democratic Party FDP.The Liberals

Party President Co-Presidents Party President Party President

Marco Chiesa Mattea Meyer Petra Gössi Gerhard Pfister
Cédric Wermuth

Share of the vote * 25.6 % Share of the vote * 16.8 % Share of the vote * 15.1 % Share of the vote * 13.8  % **

Federal Council 2 Federal Council 2 Federal Council 2 Federal Council 1

National Council 53 National Council 39 National Council 29 National Council 28 **
Council of States 6 Council of States 9 Council of States 12 Council of States 13

www.svp.ch www.sp.ch www.fdp.ch www.die-mitte.ch

* Share of the vote at the 2019 parliamentary elections (‘party strength’)

26
 Political parties in the Federal Council and in Parliament
The Greens – glp – Swiss Green EVP – Swiss Evangeli- EDU – Federal
Swiss Green Party Liberal Party cal People’s Party Democratic Union

Party President Party President Party President Party President

Balthasar Glättli Jürg Grossen Marianne Streiff-Feller Daniel Frischknecht

Share of the vote * 13.2 % Share of the vote * 7.8 % Share of the vote * 2.1 % Share of the vote * 1.0 %

Federal Council 0 Federal Council 0 Federal Council 0 Federal Council 0

National Council 28 National Council 16 National Council 3 National Council 1
Council of States 5 Council of States 0 Council of States 0 Council of States 0

Democracy
www.gruene.ch www.gruenliberale.ch www.evppev.ch www.edu-schweiz.ch
I
LE

G
ES

A
DEI TICIN

LdT – PdA – EàG

Lega dei Ticinesi Swiss Workers’ Party Ensemble à Gauche

** Following the merger of the CVP

and the BDP, the new party will be
Party President Party President Party President
known as ‘The Centre’ from 1.1.2021.
vacant Gavriel Pinson Pierre Vanek At the 2019 elections, the parties
achieved the following results:
Share of the vote
CVP 11.4 %
Share of the vote * 0.8 % Share of the vote * 0.8 % Share of the vote * 0.3 % BDP 2.4 %
No. of National Council seats
CVP 25
BDP 3
Federal Council 0 Federal Council 0 Federal Council 0
National Council 1 National Council 1 National Council 1
Council of States 0 Council of States 0 Council of States 0

www.lega-dei-ticinesi.ch www.pda.ch www.eag-ge.ch

One of the 46 members of the Council of States does not belong to a political party.

27
The Legislature Parliament
At the beginning of September 2020, plastic The screens, which can be dismantled (once the
screens were put up around the desks in the pandemic is over), have also been installed in
National Council chamber to protect against the Council of States chamber and in various
COVID-19. conference rooms in the Parliament Building.
 The Legislature
Parliament
Parliament passes laws and elects the members of the federal
government and the federal courts. It is responsible for the federal
budget and exercises oversight over the Federal Administration.
Parliament is elected by the People. It consists of two chambers: the
National Council and the Council of States. The National Council
represents the people of Switzerland; the Council of States repre-
sents the 26 cantons. Each chamber has the same powers, and they
conduct the same business. When sitting together in joint session,
they constitute the United Federal Assembly.
The Legislature

www.parliament.ch
Parliament

The home of Swiss political life

The seat of Switzerland’s parliament is the Parliament
Building in Bern. It was built between 1894 and 1902
according to plans drawn up by Hans Wilhelm Auer, and
was inaugurated by the United Federal Assembly on
1 April 1902.

The architect had the aim of creating a national monu-

ment. 95 % of the materials used were sourced within
Switzerland; contracts were awarded to 173 Swiss firms
and 38 Swiss artists were able to leave their mark in the
Parliament Building for posterity. Naturally, Auer was
careful to ensure that all of the cantons were represented
when awarding the contracts.

The whole building is a reminder that Switzerland is a

nation founded on the will of its people, in which different
cultures, different linguistic areas and different geographi-
Video about Parliament – ‘Erklär cal regions have come together of their own free will to
mir das Parlament’ (in German) form a political, national entity.

30
Members in the National Council Strength of parliamentary
and the Council of States groups

Centre group
The Green Liberals
FDP

SP

SVP
The
Greens

200 members of the National Council National Council

Centre group
FDP
SP

SVP
The Greens

The Legislature
46 members of the Council of States Council of States

Age groups in the Swiss Women and men in Parliament

Parliament
population and in Parliament

CS NC CS NC CS NC CS NC

% of the population % in Parliament Women Men

31
 The roles of Parliament
Parliament is responsible for enacting legislation, releasing funding,
electing the members of the highest federal authorities and oversee-
ing the Federal Council, the Federal Administration and the federal
courts.
The roles of Parliament

Legislation Election of federal authorities

Parliament enacts legislative provisions in the form of The National Council and the Council of States come
federal acts or ordinances. Amendments to the Federal together for elections to form the United Federal Assem-
Constitution must be put to the vote of the People and bly, which elects the members of the federal government
the Cantons. and the federal courts and, if necessary, appoints a gen-
eral. During the winter session, it elects one member of
Parliament

The Federal Constitution Ordinances the Federal Council as president of the federal govern-
forms the bedrock of the complement the acts. The ment, and another as vice president, each for a one-year
Swiss Confederation. The Federal Council and the
People and the Cantons are departments enact most of
mandate. The United Federal Assembly also elects the
the gatekeepers of the Con- the ordinances, which are Federal Council’s chief of staff, also known as the Federal
stitution. Parliament can draft issued without the participa- Chancellor, and the Attorney General of Switzerland.
amendments to the Federal tion of Parliament. In the case
Constitution, but must put of an important ordinance, the
them to the vote of the People relevant parliamentary com- 2019 Federal Council elections
and the Cantons ( mandato- mittee may request that a During the last Federal Council elections in December
ry referendum, p. 22). People draft text be submitted for 2019, Parliament – meeting as the United Federal Assem-
can launch a popular initiative consultation. Ordinances are
bly – re-elected all the members of the Federal Council.
to amend the Constitution not subject to referendums.
( p. 22). After gaining over 10 % of the votes for the first time in the
October 2019 parliamentary elections, the Green Party
Federal acts was able to put its own candidate on the ballot. The
formulate in detail the provi-
sions of the Constitution.
Green Party ran against the FDP, however the FDP federal
They are enacted by Parlia- councillors Karin Keller-Sutter and Ignazio Cassis were
ment, but are subject to an able to hold on to their seats after being re-elected by an
optional referendum ( p. 22): absolute majority. The newly elected Federal Council
If 50,000 eligible voters or
eight cantons request a
therefore remained unchanged ( p. 50).
referendum, the act is submit-
ted to the People for a vote.
A majority of voters must
approve the act for it to come
into force.

32
 Legislative provisions are
enacted in the form of federal
acts and ordinances. The
The technical term for the Swiss parliament is remaining decrees are ‘federal
decrees’. Referendums are
‘Federal Assembly’. Article 148 of the Federal required only for a small
Constitution reads, for example: “Subject to the number of federal acts. Sim-
rights of the People and Cantons, the Federal ple federal decrees and
Assembly is the supreme authority of the Confed- ordinances cannot be
stopped by a referendum.
eration.”
In the 50 th legislature period
(2015 – 2019) Parliament
enacted 464 decrees:

134 federal acts

The roles of Parliament

Budget control and oversight 94 federal decrees

Parliament has sovereignty over federal finances: it deter-

mines the budget for the following year, takes note of the
Federal Council’s budget and approves the state ac-
counts of the previous year. Parliament votes on the
budget during the winter session. The items of business

Parliament
move quickly from one chamber to the other. In the event
that the National Council and the Council of States are
unable to reach an agreement on the federal budget, the 226 simple federal decrees
lower amount is accepted. The finance and control com-
mittees and their delegations are in charge of overseeing
the Federal Budget. They check the work of the Federal
Council, the Federal Administration and the federal
courts, and thereby also examine the effectiveness of
these authorities.

Federal revenues and expenses: p. 48 / 49

10 ordinances

Video about the roles

of the Federal Assembly
(in German)

33
 Organisation of Parliament
The Swiss parliament consists of two chambers: the National
Council and the Council of States. The National Council represents
the Swiss population, while the Council of States represents the
26 cantons. The two Councils have equal powers: All items of
business are handled both by the National Council and the Council
of States. The Councils must agree on all items of business before
their decisions can come into force.
Organisation of Parliament

The large chamber is the The small chamber is the

National Council Council of States
The National Council represents the people living in Swit- The Council of States has 46 seats and represents the
zerland. It has 200 seats. Cantons with a larger popula- cantons. Twenty cantons have two seats, and six cantons
tion have more seats. Each canton is entitled to at least have one seat. The six cantons with only one seat were
one seat. Each member of the National Council repre- until 1999 listed as ‘half cantons’ in the Federal Constitu-
Parliament

sents around 42,000 people. The National Council is also tion. They are Obwalden and Nidwalden, Appenzell Ausser­
known as the ‘large chamber’ or the ‘people’s chamber’. rhoden and Appenzell Innerrhoden, and Basel-Stadt and
Basel-Landschaft. The size of a canton’s population is not
President of the National Council for 2021 a determining factor in its number of seats in the Council of
Every year, a different member acts as president of the States. The canton of Uri, which has a comparatively small
National Council. Andreas Aebi (SVP) will preside over the population, has the same number of two seats as does the
National Council in 2021. The president plans and directs populous canton of Zurich. This system balances out the
National Council deliberations, heads the Council Office voting power of the populous cantons in the National
and represents the National Council externally. Council. The Council of States is often referred to as the
‘small chamber’ or the ‘chamber of the cantons’.
Election based on proportional representation
National Council elections are held every four years in President of the Council of States for 2021
most cantons on a proportional basis. This means that Every year a different member acts as president of the
the seats held by a canton are distributed among the Council of States. Alex Kuprecht (SVP) will preside over the
different political parties based on the votes they receive. Council of States in 2021. The president plans and directs
This makes it possible for smaller political forces to be the Council of States deliberations, heads the Council
represented in the people’s chamber. Office and represents the Council of States externally.

National Council elections schedule Election based on the simple majority system
The next elections will be held in October 2023. Council of States elections are held every four years, in
most cantons at the same time as the National Council
elections. Council of States elections are almost always
based on the simple majority system. This means that the
candidate who receives the most votes is elected. The
cantons decide individually when and how they elect their
representatives to the Council of States.
Video of the most impor-
tant bodies of the Federal Council of States elections schedule
Assembly (in German) The next elections will be held in April or October 2023.

34
 President of the National
Council 2020/21
Andreas Aebi, Bern
Swiss People’s Party

What priorities have you set for your year as president?

My aim is promote cohesion, confidence and a zest for life.
In times of crisis such as these, there needs to be solidarity
between young and old, between the country’s different
regions, and between people working in different sectors, as
not everyone has been affected by the pandemic to the same
extent.

Alongside your work as a member of parliament, you

are also a farmer, auctioneer and tour operator. How do
you manage to fit it all in?
I’ve managed well for 30 years. I have a great wife, a

Organisation of Parliament
wonderful family and a good circle of friends. And as a
former battalion commander in the Swiss army, I have
learned the art of how to organise systematically. It’s
certainly a great advantage that I live very close to Bern and
don’t have a long commute.
The United Federal Assembly
The National Council and the Council of States convene
as the United Federal Assembly to handle specific items of
business. The United Federal Assembly elects the mem-
bers of the federal government and the Federal Supreme
Court, the Federal Chancellor, and the Attorney General of

Parliament
Switzerland. It also meets to take note of statements made
by the Federal Council, and rule on conflicts of jurisdiction.
President of the Council
of States 2020/21
Alex Kuprecht, Schwyz
Swiss People’s Party
Sessions
The National Council and the Council of States meet for What will you set out to achieve during your year as
three-week sessions in spring, summer, autumn and winter president?
to deliberate and rule on items of business. The two cham- My aim will be to try to stimulate the special culture
bers meet separately, but under the same roof of the Parlia- in the Council of States. In the Council of States, we conduct
ment Building in Bern. Council Office, parliamentary group our debates through reasoned argument based on facts in
and committee meetings take place in-between sessions. order to reach the best solution. We should continue to
carefully foster and uphold virtues such as giving careful
Schedule of sessions for 2021 Election oft the presidents of consideration to the long-term interests of the state. In doing
Spring session: the National Council and of so, we serve as a valuable counterpoint to the more party-po-
1 – 19 March the Council of States:
Summer session: 29 November
litical and very often personal interest-driven nature of
31 May – 18 June business in the National Council.
Autumn session: Election of the President of
13 September – 1 October the Swiss Confederation and
Where do you see Switzerland in five years’ time?
Winter session: the vice president of the
29 November – 17 December Federal Council: Well, I hope that COVID-19 is no longer with us. Beyond that, I
8 December think that we need to work on our relations with the
Special session (if required): European Union. I hope that Switzerland can retain its
3 – 6 May The meetings are open to the
independence in the coming years. We have to position
public. The debates are
broadcast live on the Parlia- ourselves economically, socially and culturally, so that in five
ment website, and published to ten years’ time we will be able to say that Switzerland is
after around an hour as a where we want to live.
verbatim report with a video
in the Official Bulletin:
www.parliament.ch

35
 Political parties and
parliamentary groups Debates in the Councils
Despite the fact that the two
Eleven parties are represented in Parliament, none of Councils have the same
which holds a majority ( p. 26). There are five parties rights, there are clear differ-
ences – not least because of
that each make up 10 % or more of the seats in the
their difference in size. In the
Federal Assembly (SVP: 24 %, SP: 20 %, FDP: 17 %, The National Council, debates are
Centre: 15 % and The Greens: 13 %). These parties are all more rigourously regulated,
represented in the Federal Council, with the exception of and speaking time is restrict-
ed. Members of the National
the Green Party, which gained over 10 % of the votes for Council wishing to express an
the first time in the 2019 parliamentary elections. Howev- opinion must step up to the
er, parliamentary groups all have greater clout than the lectern to do so, while mem-
bers of the Council of States
parties in the parliamentary process.
may speak from their seats
and are not subjected to
Parliament is divided politically into six parliamentary speaking restrictions. During
groups. They are made up of Council members of the Council of States debates,
everyone may take the floor.
same party or ofparties with similar views. Even members
This leaves more room for
of small cantonal parties or independents tend to join a spontaneity.
parliamentary group. At least five members are needed to
form a parliamentary group.
Organisation of Parliament

In the National Council, membership of a parliamentary

group is particularly important, as it is a prerequisite to be
The parliamentary groups are important for the
granted a seat on a committee. The more members a
formation of political opinion. They discuss
parliamentary group has, the more seats they are entitled
important items of Council business with the aim
to on committees, and the greater the influence they have
of agreeing on a common position, which can be
in Parliament. In the Council of States, parliamentary
supported by the Council members in the chamber
groups play a less important role.
and before the media and the general public.
Parliament

National Council chamber Council of States chamber

Parliamentary group President Composition / party Total NC CS

Group of the Swiss People’s Party Thomas Aeschi 59 SVP, 1 Lega, 1 EDU, 62 55 7
1 independent

Social Democratic Group Roger Nordmann 48 SP 48 39 9

Centre group (The Centre-EVP) Andrea Gmür-­ 41 The Centre, 3 EVP 44 31 13

Schönenberger

FDP.The Liberals Group Beat Walti 41 FDP.The Liberals 41 29 12

Green Group Aline Trede 33 The Greens, 1 PdA, 1 EàG 35 30 5

Green Liberal Group Tiana Angelina Moser 16 GLP 16 16 0

36
Allocation of seats in the National Council

Organisation of Parliament
Parliament
Allocation of seats in the Council of States

SVP
SP
Centre group
FDP.The Liberals
The Greens www.parliament.ch – Who sits where?
GLP (in German)

37
 parliamentary groups political parties
Organisation of Parliament

specialist committees supervisory committees

per Council per Council

Committees and delegations

Parliament

The full Parliament is made up of 246 members. It would Supervisory committees

be difficult for so many people to deliberate an item of Each chamber has two supervisory committees: one to
business. This is why initial discussions on all items of oversee federal finances and the other to examine the
business take place in committees, which hold their business of other federal authorities (Finance Committees
meetings in camera. National Council committees com- and Control Committees). The most rigorous means of
prise 25 members each, while those in the Council of parliamentary oversight is the Parliamentary Investigation
States comprise 13 members. There are different types of Committee (PInC). Only four PlnCs have ever been ap-
committees: pointed in the history of Switzerland, the last one in 1996.

Specialist committees Delegations

The National Council and the Council of States have nine Delegations are composed of members of both cham-
committees that deal with specific areas. They discuss bers. Three delegations perform supervisory functions;
items of business related to their specific area and stay six delegations represent the Swiss parliament in interna-
up-to-date on any relevant social and political develop- tional parliamentary assemblies; and five additional dele-
ments. gations are in charge of fostering relations with foreign
parliaments.
Specific areas:
• Legal affairs
• Security policy
• State policy
• Economy and taxes
• Social security and healthcare
• Science, education and culture
• Transport and telecommunications
• Environment, spatial planning and energy
• Foreign policy
Zimmer 286, a film about the work
of the parliamentary committees
(in German)

38
 Procedural requests tabled by each Council member

2020

Parliamentary instruments
Members of the Federal Assembly, parliamentary groups
and committees can initiate measures, propose new
legislation and request information or reports. These
procedural requests are generally addressed to the Fed-
eral Council.

• Members of the Federal Assembly, parliamentary

groups and committees can table a parliamentary
initiative to propose draft legislation. If both Councils
agree, a committee will draw up the draft legislation. 2019

Organisation of Parliament
• A motion is used to instruct the Federal Council to draft
legislation (an act or an ordinance) or to take a specific
measure. A motion must be approved by both Coun-
cils.

• A postulate is used to instruct the Federal Council to

examine and report whether a new law should be draft-
ed or measures taken. A postulate is accepted if a
Council agrees to it.

Before a motion or a postulate is submitted to the

Council, the Federal Council puts forward a recommen- 2018

Parliament
dation. The procedural requests recommended for
adoption are expedited. The recommendation is pre-
pared by the relevant department.

• An interpellation is a request to the Federal Council for

information on important incidents in Switzerland and
abroad, and on federal government matters. The Fed-
eral Council’s response is then sometimes discussed in
the Council of States and, in the case of urgent inter-
pellations, also in the National Council.

• Questions are used to request information from the

Federal Council. The Federal Council answers ques-
2010
tions in writing. They are not dealt with in the Council.
Urgent questions must be answered by the Federal
Council in the same session.

• During question time in the National Council, Council

members can ask the Federal Council questions on
current issues. The questions must be submitted in
writing one week in advance and will be answered
orally by the responsible head of department.
2000

39
 Particularities of Parliament

Shifting majorities
Two councils with equal powers
Particularities of Parliament

Several parties are represented in Parliament, none of

which holds a majority. Parliament does not have a lasting
In many countries, parliament is unicameral. In Switzer-
majority nor a permanent opposition, as is the case in
land, Parliament has two chambers – the National Council
many other countries. Majorities are built on the basis of
and the Council of States – which have exactly the same
the issues and depending on which parties agree on an
powers and responsibilities. The two chambers deal with
issue.
the same business in the same way. They must agree on
all points for a bill to come into force, and must use the
same wording to adopt legislation. So approval by only
one chamber is not enough. It often takes time for the
National Council and the Council of States to reach an
agreement.
Parliament

Semi-professional Parliament
The members of the Swiss parliament are not full-time
politicians. Part-time politicians bring hands-on expertise
to debates due to their professional activities, and they
are more grounded and accessible to the People. Howev-
er, Council members spend more and more time on their
Resolution of differences
parliamentary work, some even full-time. This gives Swit-
In the event that the National Council and the Council of
zerland a mixture of part-time and full-time politicians.
States are unable to reach an agreement on an item of
business, the business is sent from one chamber to the
other for a resolution of differences, where it is examined
by the preliminary consultation committees. If the Nation-
al Council and the Council of States are still not in agree-
ment about the business after three rounds, a reconcilia-
tion conference is held. Without agreement on the
business, it is abandoned. ( p. 43)

40
Three official languages
Parliament deliberates and legislates in the Confedera-
tion’s three official languages: German, French and Italian.
During National Council sessions, simultaneous interpre-

Particularities of Parliament
tation into the two other official languages is provided for
all member statements. Multilingualism reflects the re-
spect for minorities, which is the basis for living together Voting recommendations
in Switzerland. Every statement is published in the lan-
guage in which it was submitted in the Official Bulletin. Popular votes are held regularly in Switzerland. Parlia-
ment and the Federal Council provide voting recommen-
dations on each proposal in an explanatory pamphlet that
is sent to eligible voters before the vote. The pamphlet is
also available online.

Parliament
Stability
The government and Parliament are elected for a period
of four years, and cannot be dissolved. Parliament’s deci-
sions are not an expression of confidence or no confi-
dence in the government. Parliament can send back, The People have the last word
amend or reject draft legislation, without the government
having to step down. This gives Parliament a strong posi- In Switzerland, it is not Parliament that has the last word,
tion. In addition, Parliament is the only body at national but the electorate. In addition to the right to vote, eligible
level that is directly legitimised by the People. voters have two options for directly influencing national
politics:
• Referendums ( p. 22)
• Popular initiatives ( p. 22)

41
 How new laws come about
Enacting new legislation takes time and consists of several stages.
Many different actors are involved in the legislative process. Only
once they have all shared their views, and the National Council and
the Council of States agree on the wording of the law can the Federal
Council bring the law into force. And, of course, only once the People
have given their approval.
How new laws come about

Parliament
Parliament

The Federal Council and Consultation in the first

chamber (e.g. the National
the Federal Administration Council)
The first chamber has three
options: it may consider the
law to be superfluous and
1
request that it not be enacted;
Impetus it can reject the text and
It is the Federal Council or instruct the Federal Council or
Parliament that gives the the committee concerned to
4
impetus (in the form of a revise it; or it can discuss the
parliamentary initiative, a Draft legislation law in detail and make a
motion or a postulate  p. 39) Department X prepares the decision.
for a new law. The cantons preliminary draft law and 5
may also request a new law adapts it on the basis of the
Federal Council Dispatch
(cantonal initiative). results of the consultation 6
The Federal Council examines
procedure. It then submits the
the bill and sends it to Parlia- Preliminary examination by
bill to the Federal Council.
2 ment. the committee of the first
chamber
Preliminary draft
3 The presidents of the National
The Federal Council instructs
Council and the Council of
Department X to draw up Consultation procedure
States decide whether the bill
a preliminary draft for a law. Department X submits the
is dealt with first in the Na-
All departments and federal preliminary draft to the Feder-
tional Council or in the Coun-
offices are consulted on this al Council, which initiates the
cil of States. A committee of
preliminary draft (office con- consultation procedure. The
the first chamber discusses
sultation procedure). consultation procedure allows
the text and submits a pro-
all citizens, cantons, com-
posal to its Council (first
munes, political parties,
chamber). (Committees 
federations, trade unions,
p. 38).
associations, churches and
interest groups to comment
on the preliminary draft.

42
Milestones in national legislation
1919 System of proportional representation
for the National Council elections
1948 OASI (Old Age and Survivors’ Insurance)
1971 Women’s right to vote
2000 Complete revision of the Federal Constitution
2000 Switzerland’s bilateral agreements with
the EU
2002 Switzerland’s accession to the UN

Swiss voters

How new laws come about

14 16
Optional referendum Entry into force
13
The law adopted by Parlia- If the majority of voters
Final vote in the first and ment is brought back to the approve the new law, the
8 second chambers People for a vote. The People Federal Council can bring
Preliminary examination The jointly reached agreement have the last word (Referen- it into force.
by the committee of the is put to a final vote in the dum  p. 22). If a referendum

Parliament
second chamber National Council and the is not sought within 100 days,
The committee of the second Council of States. Parliament the Federal Council may bring
chamber discusses the text votes in favour of the new law. the law into force.
approved by the first chamber
and submits a proposal to its 12 15
Council (second chamber).
Conference of conciliation Popular vote
In the event of unresolved If a referendum is launched
9 differences between the against the law, the law will
Consultation in the second National Council and the be put to the vote of the
chamber (e.g. Council of Council of States after three People.
States) rounds, a conference of
The second chamber has the conciliation is held. The
same options as the first conference is composed of
chamber: request to not enact members of the preliminary
the law, rejection of the text; consultation committees who
or point by point deliberation work together to find an
and making a decision. agreement. The agreement
is then submitted to the first
chamber, and then to the
10
second chamber.
Resolution of differences
in the first chamber
11
If the decisions of the Nation-
al Council and the Council of Resolution of differences
States differ, a procedure for in the second chamber
the resolution of differences is After discussing and voting
initiated. The committee of on this proposal, the prelimi-
the first chamber makes a nary consultation committee
proposal to the first chamber. of the second chamber ad-
dresses the remaining differ-
ences and makes a proposal
to the second chamber.

43
 10 legal provisions that apply
since the beginning of 2021

Public transport CBD hemp

Passengers are now entitled The production and marketing
to compensation if their of seeds and seedlings for the
journey is delayed by one production of CBD hemp in
hour or more. agriculture is permitted. The
cultivation and use of narcotic
hemp (cannabis) remains
prohibited.

Radio and television fees

Radio and television fees
for households have been
reduced from CHF 365 to Cycling
CHF 335. Those who receive Children up to the age of 12
supplementary benefits to are allowed to cycle on the
OASI or Invalidity Insurance pavement if there are no cycle
are still exempt. lanes or cycle tracks.
Was Einstein right?
Albert Einstein once said that “if the world were to
10 legal provisions

end, I’d prefer to be in Switzerland. Everything

happens five years later there.” Is he right? The
end of the world could well be thrown off course in
Driving test the consultation procedure, or at the very least in
A passed theory test is now Alcohol Parliament. There may well also be disagreement
valid for an unlimited period of Motorway service stations are within the Federal Council on a reasonable time
time. A provisional driving now permitted to serve and
licence can be applied for at sell alcoholic beverages.
schedule for the end of the world. And Swiss
the age of 17 instead of 18. voters will also have their say in the matter! One
can assume that Swiss voters would reject the end
Parliament

of the world. It looks like, for once, Einstein was

wrong: the world would not simply end a few
years later in Switzerland, it would not be allowed
to end, ever.
Women in executive
Paternity leave positions
Fathers of newborn children In large listed companies Excerpt from a speech by Federal Councillor
are now entitled to two weeks headquartered in Switzerland, Alain Berset
of paternity leave, which they a new benchmark of 30 per
can take during the first six cent of women on the board
months after the birth. of directors and 20 per cent
on the executive board ap-
plies.

Motorway
In the event of congestion,
slow-moving traffic or an Turning right
accident, it is now permitted Cyclists and moped riders are
to pass moving cars on the now permitted to turn right at
right. Overtaking on the right traffic lights if this is signalled.
and switching lanes again
remains prohibited.

Federal law
www.fedlex.admin.ch

44
The Parliamentary Services
The Parliamentary Services support Council members in fulfilling
their duties. They are answerable to Parliament and operate inde-
pendently of the Federal Council and the Federal Administration.

Support for Parliament Open Day events for

The Parliamentary Services serve as Parliament’s own
the general public
independent staff office, which works on behalf of both
Every year, around 100,000 people visit the Swiss parlia-
chambers. The Parliamentary Services have a staff of
ment. Visitors can watch Council debates from the galler-
around 300 (amounting to more than 200 full-time equiv-
ies during the sessions. Between sessions, the Parlia-

The Parliamentary Services

alents). Their tasks include organising Council and com-
mentary Services offer guided tours of Parliament.
mittee meetings and handling translations.
Visitors can visit the parliament building without prior
reservation during the Open Day events which are organ-
The Parliamentary Services support Parliament in
ised several times a year. Due to the high demand for
fulfilling its duties. They:
visits during the sessions and guided tours, we recom-
• plan and organise Council sessions and the parliamen-
mend you make reservations as early as possible.
tary committee meetings;
• provide a secretariat and translation services, and take
Open Day schedule 2021
the minutes of the debates of the Councils and the 24 April
committees; 26 June
• advise Council members, in particular the presidents of 1 August
16 October
the Councils and committees, on substantive issues

Parliament
and matters of procedure;
• inform the public about Parliament and its activities;
• support Parliament in maintaining international relations;
• manage the parliamentary library and provide docu-
mentation and IT services to Council members; www.parliament.ch – Visiting
• provide an adequate infrastructure and perform many the Parliament Building
other parliamentary administration tasks.

Expenses 2019 (CHF) Staff (FTEs) 2019

65 million 222

Parliamentary Services,
Secretary General:
www.parliament.ch Philippe Schwab

45
The Executive The Government
On 1 January each year, the Federal Chancellery design and select the photographer. The design
publishes the official photo of the Federal Coun- for 2021 was chosen by Guy Parmelin as he is
cil. The president for that year gets to decide the president this year.
 The Executive
The Government
The Federal Council is Switzerland’s government. It consists of
seven members, who take decisions and defend their decisions in
a collegial manner. The presidency rotates every year. The Federal
Council is assisted in its tasks by the Federal Administration. The
Administration is made up of seven departments and the Federal
Chancellery. The Confederation’s expenditure may not exceed its
receipts over the longer term: this is ensured by the debt brake
mechanism.
www.admin.ch

Federal finances: checked and approved

The Federal Constitution sets out what taxes the Confed-
The Executive

eration is allowed to raise. Maximum tax rates are defined

for the main sources of receipts, namely direct federal tax
and value added tax. These may only be modified if a
majority of the People and the cantons agree (mandatory
referendum, p. 22).
Parliament has sovereignty over federal finances: it de-
cides the budget and approves the state financial state-
Government

ment of the previous year ( p. 33, p. 38).

Debt brake mechanism

The Confederation is required to balance its expenditure
and receipts over the longer term. It is required to run a
surplus when the economy is thriving and may spend
more than it collects in receipts when the economy is
weak. The debt brake does allow for an exception to be
made in extraordinary crisis situations such as serious
recessions and natural disasters; the government may
then undertake additional expenditure.

Taxes in Switzerland COVID-19

www.ch.ch The pandemic that has been raging around the world
since early 2020 has had a significant impact on the state
of federal finances. To support the economy and the
people, the Federal Council and Parliament have taken a
series of measures costing several billion francs. At the
same time, the Confederation is expecting lower tax reve-
nues than usual. Thanks to the low level of government
Youtube – debt, Switzerland and the Confederation in particular are
The Federal Council – a brief guide in a solid position.

48
Federal receipts and expenditure (2019)

31 % Direct federal tax

31 % Social welfare

14 % Finances and taxation

30 % Value added tax

14 % Transport

11 % Withholding tax 11 % Education and research

6 % Mineral oil tax 8 % Security

3 % Stamp duty
3 % Tobacco duty 5 % Agriculture and food
5 % Foreign relations
10 % Other tax receipts
11 % Other expenditure
6 % Non tax receipts

Receipts of 74.5 billion Expenditure of 71.4 billion

Direct federal tax and VAT are the Confederation’s main Almost a third of federal expenditure goes towards social
sources of receipts. Direct federal tax is raised on the welfare. Half of that goes towards old age pension provi-
income of private individuals (progressive, max. 11,5 %), sion (OASI), and a sixth to invalidity insurance (II). Other
and on business profits (8,5 %). VAT is 7,7 % on most major areas of expenditure are supplementary benefits,
goods and services. health insurance premium reductions, and migration.

The Executive
Political party composition of the Federal Council since 1948

FDP FDP FDP FDP FDP FDP FDP FDP FDP FDP

FDP FDP FDP FDP FDP FDP FDP FDP FDP FDP

Government
FDP FDP FDP FDP FDP SP SP SP SP SP

FDP FDP FDP FDP SP SP SP SP SP SP

FDP FDP FDP SVP SVP SVP SVP BDP SVP SVP

FDP FDP CVP CVP CVP CVP SVP BDP BDP SVP

FDP CVP CVP CVP CVP CVP CVP CVP CVP CVP

1848 1891 1919 1929 1943 1951 2003 2008 2009 2015

1848 The Federal Council was 1929 Parliament elected a 1959 The four strongest parties 2009 A member of the SVP
composed of seven members member of the Farmers’, agreed to form a government was elected in place of a
of the Free Democratic Party Trades’ and Citizens’ Party by applying the ‘magic formu- retiring BDP representative.
(today FDP.The Liberals). (today SVP) to the Federal la’: 2 FDP, 2 CVP, 2 SP, 1 SVP.
The party governed alone for Council. The formula remained un- 2015 The BDP representative
43 years. changed for 44 years. stepped down. Parliament
1943 The first Social Demo- elected an SVP representative
1891 The first member of the crat (SP) entered the govern- 2003 At the Federal Council in her place.
Catholic Conservatives (today ment; the second followed in elections, the SVP won a seat
CVP) joined the government; 1951. at the expense of the CVP. Since then The Federal
the second joined in 1919. Council has again been com-
2008 The two representatives posed of members from four
of the SVP joined the newly different political parties – ac-
founded Conservative Demo- cording to the 2:2:2:1 formula.
cratic Party (BDP).

49
 The Federal Council
The Federal Council comprises seven members of equal standing.
They are elected by Parliament every four years, with a different
member holding the post of president each year. The current
members of the Federal Council are drawn from four different
parties. Four come from the German-speaking part of Switzerland,
two from the French-speaking part and one from the Italian-
speaking region.

The Federal Council normally meets every week. Espe- Important dates
cially demanding issues are discussed in special ses- Election of the president and
vice president:
sions. Each year, it decides on more than 2500 items of 8 December 2021
business. The seven departments and the Federal Chan- Election of the Federal Coun­
cellery support the Federal Council by helping to prepare cil (following the parliamenta­
ry elections in October)
the meetings.
December 2023
The Federal Council

President Vice President

Government

Guy Parmelin Ignazio Cassis Ueli Maurer Simonetta Sommaruga

Head of the Federal Depart­ Head of the Federal Department Head of the Federal Depart­ Head of the Federal Department
ment of Economic Affairs, of Foreign Affairs ment of Finance of the Environment, Transport,
Education and Research Energy and Communications
Member of the Federal Member of the Federal
Member of the Federal Council since 2017 Council since 2009 Member of the Federal
Council since 2016 Council since 2010

Party affiliation SVP Party affiliation FDP Party affiliation SVP Party affiliation SP
SVP FDP SVP SP

The president is of equal

standing to the other mem­
bers of the Federal Council,
but chairs the meetings and
represents the government
in its external dealings

50
What is special about the
Federal Council?
Collegiality Magic Formula
Switzerland is the only country in the world that has a 2:2:2:1 is the endlessly debated formula for the political
collegial body as its government: the seven members of composition of the Federal Council: the largest three
the Federal Council are each members of the college and parties each hold two seats in the Federal Council, while
have equal rights. The president of the Swiss Confedera- the fourth largest party has one seat. For 44 years (1959 –
tion chairs the meetings and represents the government 2003), the Federal Council was made up of 2 FDP, 2 SP
in its external dealings. The presidency rotates each year. and 2 CVP representatives, and 1 SVP representative.
Since 2003, there has been a minor shift: 2 FDP, 2 SP,
Consensus 2 SVP, 1 CVP (‘The Centre’ from 1.1.2021).
The members of the Federal Council often have conflict-
ing views and values. However, they always seek a con- Stability
sensus and reach their decisions together. Outwardly, the The members of the Federal Council are elected by Par-
Federal Council presents a united front: the members of liament to serve a four-year term of office and cannot be
the Federal Council defend the decisions they have taken removed. They can be re-elected any number of times.
jointly, even if these decisions are contrary to their own Normally a member of the Federal Council remains in
opinions or the position taken by their party. office until he or she retires or chooses not to stand again
for election.
Consociationalism
The Federal Constitution requires Switzerland’s regions Not elected by the People
and languages to be ‘appropriately represented’ in the The Swiss electorate has already voted three times on
Federal Council. The parties are expected to propose whether the Federal Council should be elected by the
both male and female candidates for election. Normally Swiss people: in 1900, 1942 and 2013. On each occa-
Parliament allocates seats on the Federal Council accord- sion, both the People and the cantons voted against. An
ing to the strength of the political parties: as a result, all election by the People has also been proposed several
the largest parties are represented in the government. times in Parliament, but each of these proposals was
rejected.

The Federal Council

Federal Chancellor

Government

Alain Berset Viola Amherd Karin Keller-Sutter Walter Thurnherr

Head of the Federal Depart­ Head of the Federal Depart­ Head of the Federal Depart­ Federal Chancellor
ment of Home Affairs ment of Defence, Civil Protec­ ment of Justice and Police
tion and Sport In office since 2016
Member of the Federal Member of the Federal
Council since 2012 Member of the Federal Council since 2019
Council since 2019

Party affiliation SP Party affiliation CVP Party affiliation FDP Party affiliation CVP
SP The Centre FDP The Centre

The Federal Chancellor is

the Federal Council’s chief of
staff and heads the Federal
Chancellery ( p. 56). He is
also elected by Parliament.

51
 The Federal Council’s tasks

Preparing legislation Implementing the decisions of

The Federal Council submits new laws to Parliament and
Parliament
proposals on how to implement decisions taken in popu-
The Federal Council’s tasks

As soon as Parliament has decided on a new law, the

lar votes. Its proposals receive broad support: they take
Federal Council issues the required ordinances. They set
account of the views of the cantons, parties, associations
out the specifics on how the new law should be imple-
and concerned groups, which are expressed in a consul-
mented. If Parliament requests particular measures, the
tation process. After these consultations, the Federal
Federal Council ensures that these are taken.
Council submits its bill to Parliament for debate and a
decision.
Government

DETEC

DDPS

FDHA

EAER
FDJP

FDFA

FDF

Providing information Heading the Federal

The Federal Council provides the cantons, Parliament and
Administration
the general public with regular information on its deci-
The Federal Council is in charge of the Federal Adminis-
sions and intentions. It explains proposals that are being
tration, which has around 38,000 employees. The Admin-
voted in a red booklet, which is posted to voters with their
istration is organised into seven government depart-
ballot papers and published on the internet.
ments. Each member of the Federal Council is the head
of a department ( p. 54/55).
www.admin.ch/TV
www.admin.ch/news
www.admin.ch/abstimmungen

52
 President of the Swiss
Confederation 2021
Guy Parmelin

As president you undoubtedly enjoy many privileges.

What are the main ones?
The privileges enjoyed by the president include additional
appearances at major events, more contact with the public,
and more intensive exchanges with other countries.
Chairing the weekly meetings of the Federal Council and
giving speeches and written messages to mark special
occasions are also a privilege. Everything that is associated
with the presidency is an honour, and one that I accept with
respect.

Men and women and the different regions are currently

well represented in the Federal Council. But who
represents the interests of the younger generation?
It’s true that the younger generation is not directly
represented in the Federal Council. But every federal
Planning for the future councillor is backed up by a great many staff, and these
people are of all ages. Young and older specialists alike
The Federal Council sets the agenda for the future: it
contribute equally to the search for consensus. I enjoy
issues a mission statement, sets goals and indicates how

The Federal Council’s tasks

talking to young people and listening to what they have
it plans to invest federal funds. It has to find majority sup-
to say.
port for its plans, in Parliament and if need be among the
People and the cantons.
What are the strengths of our political system?
It is our diversity that makes Switzerland strong. Our
Federal Council mission
statement for the legisla- federalism – also a sign of diversity – sometimes seems
ture period 2019 – 2023 complicated and time consuming, but it often leads to
balanced solutions. And it creates a feeling of shared
1. Switzerland shall secure its
identity, which is something that cannot be taken for
prosperity sustainably and
exploit the opportunities offe­ granted. We have to approach one another anew, listen
red by digital transformation. to each other’s views and seek a common approach.

2. Switzerland shall encour­

Government
age national cohesion and
contribute to consolidating
international cooperation.

3. Switzerland shall guarantee

security, engage in protecting
the climate and act as a
reliable partner in the world.

These three elements in the

Mission Statement them­ Governing in times of crisis
selves include 18 goals and If Switzerland’s internal or external security is
53 measures. endangered, the Federal Council has the power to
issue emergency ordinances (Federal Constitution
Art. 185). In the event of there being an exceptional
risk to public health, the Epidemics Act confers
wide-ranging powers on the Federal Council. As a
result, the Federal Council was able to order
drastic short-term measures during the corona­
virus crisis in 2020: bans on public gatherings,
emergency credits, short-time work, and even the
cancellation of a popular vote. As required by law,
Parliament gave its retrospective approval to all
these decisions.

53
 Federal Administration

Staff office Departments

FCh FDFA FDHA FDJP

Federal Chancellery Federal Department Federal Department Federal Department
of Foreign Affairs of Home Affairs of Justice and Police

Walter Thurnherr Ignazio Cassis Alain Berset Karin Keller-Sutter

Federal Chancellor Head of Department Head of Department Head of Department

General Secretariat General Secretariat General Secretariat

State Secretariat Federal Office for Gender State Secretariat for Migration
Autonomous organisation
Equality
Directorate of International Federal Office of Justice
Office of the Federal Data
Law Federal Office of Culture
Protection and Information
Federal Office of Police
Commissioner
Consular Directorate Swiss Federal Archives
Federal Administration

Swiss Agency for Develop- Federal Office of Meteorology Autonomous organisations

ment and Cooperation and Climatology MeteoSwiss
Federal Institute of
Directorate for Resources Federal Office of Public Intellectual Property
Health
Federal Institute of Metrology
Federal Food Safety and
Veterinary Office Swiss Institute of Compara-
tive Law
Federal Statistical Office
Federal Audit Oversight
Federal Social Insurance Authority
Office
Federal Gaming Board
Government

Autonomous organisations Federal Commission on

Migration
Swiss Agency for Therapeutic
Products Swissmedic Federal Arbitration Commis-
sion for the Exploitation of
Swiss National Museum Copyrights and Related
Rights
Swiss Arts Council
Pro Helvetia National Commission for the
Prevention of Torture

38,765 (35,109 full-time equivalents) staff work

in the Federal Administration. 1,155 of those are
apprentices, 549 are graduate interns.

54
The Federal Administration supports the Federal Council in its tasks.
It consists of seven government departments and the Federal
Chancellery. While each department is headed by a federal council-
lor, the Federal Administration as a whole is supervised by the full
Federal Council.

DDPS FDF EAER DETEC

Federal Department of Federal Department Federal Department of Federal Department of the
Defence, Civil Protection and of Finance Economic Affairs, Education Environment, Transport,
Sport and Research Energy and Communications

Viola Amherd Ueli Maurer Guy Parmelin Simonetta Sommaruga

Head of Department Head of Department Head of Department Head of Department

General Secretariat General Secretariat General Secretariat General Secretariat

Office of the Armed Forces State Secretariat for Interna- State Secretariat for Federal Office of Transport
Attorney General tional Financial Matters Economic Affairs SECO
Federal Office of Civil Aviation
Federal Intelligence Service Federal Finance Administra- State Secretariat for Educa-
tion tion, Research and Innovation Swiss Federal Office
Defence sector of Energy
Federal Office of Personnel Federal Office for Agriculture

Federal Administration
Federal Office for Defence Federal Roads Office
Procurement armasuisse Federal Tax Administration Federal Office for National
Economic Supply Federal Office
Federal Office of Topography Federal Customs Administra- of Communications
swisstopo tion Federal Office for Housing
Federal Office for the
Federal Office for Civil Federal Office of Information Federal Office for Civilian Environment
Protection Technology, Systems and Service
Telecommunications Federal Office for Spatial
Federal Office of Sport Development
Federal Office for Buildings Autonomous organisations
and Logistics
Office of the Price Supervisor Autonomous organisations

Government
Autonomous organisations Competition Commission Swiss Federal Nuclear Safety
Inspectorate
Swiss Financial Market Board of the Federal Institutes
Supervisory Authority of Technology ETH Federal Inspectorate for
Heavy Current Installations
Swiss Federal Audit Office Swiss Federal Institute for
Vocational Education and Swiss Transportation Safety
Federal Pension Fund Training Investigation Board
PUBLICA
Swiss Innovation Agency Federal Electricity Commis-
Innosuisse sion ElCom

Federal Communications
Commission ComCom

Independent Complaints
Authority for Radio and
Television

Federal Postal Services

Commission PostCom

Rail Transport Commission

RailCom

55
 Federal Chancellery

The Federal Chancellery is the staff office of the Federal Council:

it ensures that the Federal Council is able to take sound decisions
and communicate them in a coordinated manner. As the custodian of
people’s rights, it organises federal elections and votes and verifies
the legality of initiatives and referendums.
Federal Chancellery
Government

56
 Walter Thurnherr
Federal Chancellor since 2016

Preparing Federal Council decisions Overseeing democratic rights

The Federal Council normally holds a meeting once a The Federal Chancellery ensures that all federal elections
week to deal with numerous items of business. Prior to and popular votes are conducted correctly. It provides the
the meeting, the federal departments and offices can give necessary information on the proper procedures to any-
their input on the items on the agenda. The Federal Coun- one interested in launching a popular initiative or referen-
cil coordinates this joint reporting procedure. dum ( p. 22ff.). It is also working with the cantons to
establish new trials for online voting in popular votes and
Communicating Federal Council decisions elections in Switzerland.
After every Federal Council meeting, the Federal Council
Spokesperson goes before the press to announce the Promoting multilingualism
Federal Council’s decisions. Federal Council decisions Switzerland’s official languages are German, French and
and reports are published in the Federal Gazette, while Italian, and all legal and official federal texts must be avail-
new or amended acts and ordinances are published in able in these languages. In certain cases they must also
the Official Compilation of Federal Legislation. be produced in Romansh. Texts of international relevance
are also produced in English. The Federal Chancellery is
Planning for the future responsible for the translations.
The Federal Chancellery monitors national and interna-
tional developments and, on the basis of these, establish- Publishing information through a range of

Federal Chancellery
es the need for political action. It is responsible for Feder- channels
al Council planning and controlling: for the four-year Before a federal vote is held, the Federal Chancellery
legislature planning, the annual objectives and reporting. sends explanatory material to all voters and updates the
information on the VoteInfo app. Before federal elections,
Supporting the president it sends out voting instructions. Up-to-date and detailed
During their year as Swiss president, federal councillors information is provided on two websites, in explanatory
assume additional tasks at home and abroad ( p. 50). videos and in this brochure ‘The Swiss Confederation –
The Federal Chancellery provides support and ensures a Brief Guide’.
continuity from one presidential year to the next.

Government
www.admin.ch
www.ch.ch
Coordinating the work of the Federal www.youtube.com – ‘The Swiss Federal Council’
Administration www.twitter.com/BR_Sprecher
The Federal Chancellor chairs the monthly meetings of
the Conference of Secretaries General, at which the sec-
retaries general coordinate the work of their departments. Vice Chancellor and Federal Council Spokesperson:
André Simonazzi
The newly created DTI Sector has been in operation since
1.1.2021. It coordinates and supports digital transfor­ Vice Chancellor:
mation proj­ects throughout the Federal Administration. Viktor Rossi

Expenses 2019 (CHF) Staff (FTEs) 2019 Autonomous

82 million 209 organisation
Office of the Federal Data
Protection and Information
Commissioner FDPIC:
Adrian Lobsiger
Photo left www.edoeb.admin.ch
The Federal Chancellor and both
vice chancellors always attend
Federal Council meetings. www.bk.admin.ch

57
 Federal Department
of Foreign Affairs FDFA

The FDFA safeguards Switzerland’s foreign policy interests. It

maintains relations with other states and international bodies such
as the EU and the UN. It provides services for Swiss citizens abroad.
The FDFA is also responsible for Switzerland’s development cooper-
ation and humanitarian aid. There are around 170 Swiss representa-
tions around the world.
FDFA
Government

58
 “Swiss foreign policy
reflects the traditions,
diversity and innova-
tive strengths of our
country.”
Ignazio Cassis, head of the FDFA.
Member of the Federal Council since 2017.

Switzerland supports conflicting parties in finding political

General Secretariat GS-FDFA
solutions. It provides emergency assistance in humanitar-
Secretary General: Markus Seiler
ian crises, creates economic opportunities in developing
www.fdfa.admin.ch
countries, and supports Swiss companies operating
abroad. It promotes the sustainable use of natural re-
sources and works to ensure that human rights are also State Secretariat StS
State Secretary: Livia Leu
respected in the virtual world. These are just some exam-
ples of what the FDFA does to fulfil its main mission: pro- Directorate of International
moting Switzerland’s interests and values. Law DIL
Director:
Corinne Cicéron Bühler
These interests and values are enshrined in the Federal
Constitution. They include the freedom, autonomy and Consular Directorate CD
security of our country, the promotion of prosperity, the Director: Johannes Matyassy
alleviation of need and poverty in the world, respect for
Swiss Agency for Develop-
human rights and the conservation of natural resources. ment and Cooperation SDC
Director: Patricia Danzi

FDFA
The Federal Council issues a foreign policy strategy every www.fdfa.admin.ch/sdc
four years. The priorities for the 2020 – 23 period are
Directorate for
peace and security, prosperity, sustainability and digital Resources DR
transformation. Other key concerns are the regulation of Director:

Government
Swiss-EU relations and Switzerland’s exchanges with Tania Cavassini

priority countries such as the US and China. The strategy

provides the framework for the FDFA’s activities in Bern,
Geneva and around 170 representations abroad. Both
head office and the external network maintain contacts
with Switzerland’s partner countries and the EU, and
represent Switzerland at organisations such as the UN.
They also provide services for Swiss citizens living or
travelling abroad.

Expenses 2019 (CHF) Staff (FTEs) 2019

2.98 bn 5,489

Photo left
A weather station for far­m ers
in Peru: the SDC supported
the Climandes project to en-
sure good harvests. www.fdfa.admin.ch

59
 Federal Department of Home
Affairs FDHA
The FDHA works to ensure the country has an efficient and effective
health system that is accessible to all. It is also committed to
protecting the pension system – state and occupational pensions –
into the future. Its areas of activity include promoting cultural
diversity and cohesion in society, gender equality and the integration
of people with disabilities.
FDHA
Government

60
 “The public relies
on a sound social
insurance system and
an accessible health
system.”
Alain Berset, head of the FDHA.
Member of the Federal Council since 2012.

The coronavirus pandemic shows us how important it is

General Secretariat GS-FDHA
to have an effective health system that is accessible to all.
Secretary General: Lukas Gresch-Brunner
It also shows that Switzerland has a sound social insur-
www.fdha.admin.ch
ance system that can support people in all phases of life.

Despite the many cultural differences in the country, there Federal Office for Gender Autonomous
Equality FOGE
is great cohesion in Swiss society during the corona­-
Director: Sylvie Durrer
organisations
virus crisis. Solidarity is shown between the healthy and www.ebg.admin.ch
Swiss Agency for
the sick, between the generations and among the lan-
Therapeutic Products
guage regions. The FDHA works constantly to defend Federal Office of Culture
Swissmedic
FOC
such values; racism and discrimination have no place in Director: Isabelle Chassot
Director: Raimund T. Bruhin
our society. www.swissmedic.ch
www.bak.admin.ch

Swiss National Museum

The main challenges FDHA employees deal with in their Swiss Federal Archives
SNM
SFA
daily work are reforming the social insurance and pension Director: Philippe Künzler
Director: Denise Tonella
www.nationalmuseum.ch
systems, keeping health costs down, ensuring food secu- www.bar.admin.ch

FDHA
rity and animal welfare, providing meteorological informa- Swiss Arts Council
Federal Office of Meteorol-
tion for the public and support for the arts and culture. Pro Helvetia
ogy and Climatology
In all this it is important to have up-to-date and reliable Director: Philippe Bischof
MeteoSwiss
www.prohelvetia.ch
statistics so that we can understand our constantly Director: Peter Binder

Government
changing world and make well-founded decisions. Digit- www.meteoschweiz.
admin.ch
ising, archiving and using this data in a wide variety of
ways will continue to pose challenges into the future. Federal Office of Public
Health FOPH
Director: Anne Lévy
www.bag.admin.ch

Federal Food Safety and

Veterinary Office FSVO
Director: Hans Wyss
www.blv.admin.ch

Federal Statistical Office

FSO
Director:
Georges-Simon Ulrich
Expenses 2019 (CHF) Staff (FTEs) 2019 www.bfs.admin.ch
18.26 bn 2,472
Federal Social Insurance
Office FSIO
Director: Stéphane Rossini
Photo left www.bsv.admin.ch
During the pandemic, the
Federal Office of Public
Health informs the general
public about how to protect
itself against the virus. www.fdha.admin.ch

61
 Federal Department of Justice
and Police FDJP
The FDJP is responsible for national and international police coopera-
tion and so ensures internal security in Switzerland. It develops
legislation in civil, criminal, constitutional and administrative law to
reflect the needs of modern society. In addition, the FDJP regulates
the conditions under which foreign nationals may enter, live and work
in Switzerland, or obtain asylum here.
FDJP
Government

62
 “Without security,
there can be no
freedom or prosperity
at any level.”
Karin Keller-Sutter, head of the FDJP.
Member of the Federal Council since 2019.

More and more business processes are now conducted

General Secretariat GS-FDJP
electronically. To ensure that there are clear rules for iden-
Secretary General: Barbara Hübscher Schmuki
tifying a person online, the FDJP was closely involved in
www.fdjp.admin.ch
the drafting of the new Federal Act on Electronic Identifi-
cation Services (E-ID Act). This law ensures that users
can navigate the internet even more easily and securely. State Secretariat for Autonomous
Migration SEM
Another important project being handled by the FDJP is organisations
State Secretary:
the revision of inheritance law. The Federal Council wants Mario Gattiker
Federal Institute of
to remove obstacles to make it easier for family business- www.sem.admin.ch
Intellectual Property IIP
es to be passed on to family members. The reform aims Director:
Federal Office of Justice
to provide greater stability for small and medium-sized Catherine Chammartin
FOJ
enterprises (SMEs) and secure jobs. www.ige.ch
Director: Martin Dumermuth
www.bj.admin.ch
Federal Institute of
The FDJP ensures that the security authorities in Switzer- Metrology METAS
Federal Office of Police
land have the necessary legal instruments to guarantee fedpol
Director: Philippe Richard
www.metas.ch
security. For example, it is currently working on an Director:

FDJP
amendment to the law that will permit public prosecutors Nicoletta della Valle
Swiss Institute of Compar-
and the police to use new methods of DNA analysis in www.fedpol.admin.ch
ative Law SICL
their investigations. Using these methods, information Director: Christina Schmid
Post and Telecommunica-
www.isdc.ch
about external characteristics such as hair, eye or skin tions Surveillance Service

Government
colour can be extracted from a DNA trace. This can sim- PTSS
Federal Audit Oversight
Director: René Koch
plify investigations: the range of suspects – and of inno- Authority FAOA
www.li.admin.ch
cent people – may become clearer more quickly. Director: Reto Sanwald
www.rab-asr.ch

The FDJP also ensures that asylum procedures continue Federal Gaming Board FGB
to be carried out quickly and fairly and that asylum seek- Director: Jean-Marie Jordan
ers are housed in decent conditions in the federal asylum www.esbk.admin.ch

centres. Improvements continue to be made to the pro- Federal Commission on

cess of removing persons who are not entitled to stay in Migration FCM
Switzerland. President: Walter Leimgruber
www.ekm.admin.ch

Federal Arbitration
Commission for the
Expenses 2019 (CHF) Staff (FTEs) 2019 Exploitation of Copyrights
and Related Rights
2.84 bn 2,602
President:
Helen Kneubühler Dienst
www.eschk.admin.ch
Photo left
The internet is now widely used National Commission for
for shopping and making the Prevention of Torture
payments. The Federal Office NCPT
of Justice is developing a President: Regula Mader
simple yet secure electronic ID. www.fdjp.admin.ch www.nkvf.admin.ch

63
 Federal Department of Defence,
Civil Protection and Sport DDPS

The DDPS is concerned with security matters and the protection of

Switzerland and its population. It is responsible for dealing with
threats in our airspace, on the ground and in cyberspace. The armed
forces, Federal Intelligence Service, civil protection services and the
Spiez Laboratory in the Federal Office for Civil Protection all play a
role in fulfilling the DDPS remit.
DDPS
Government

64
 “The DDPS works to
protect Switzerland
and its population.”
Viola Amherd, head of the DDPS.
Member of the Federal Council since 2019.

The DDPS has been heavily involved in Switzerland’s

General Secretariat GS-DDPS
response to the coronavirus pandemic. In addition to the
Secretary General: Toni Eder
armed forces and civil protection services, the Spiez
www.gs-vbs.admin.ch
Laboratory has also been actively involved in crisis man-
agement, particularly in the area of diagnostics, mask
testing and improving coordination between test labora- Federal Office for Civil
Protection FOCP
tories. This shows that threats can come from many quar-
Director: Michaela Schärer
ters and consequently require a range of security policy www.babs.admin.ch
instruments.
Federal Office for Defence
Procurement armasuisse
One important instrument is the Swiss Air Force. On Chief of Defence Procure-
27 September 2020, voters came out in favour of renew- ment: Martin Sonderegger
ing the means available to protect Swiss airspace. Mid- www.armasuisse.ch
2021 will see a further milestone in the Air2030 pro-
Federal Office of Topogra-
gramme, when the new fighter aircraft and the new phy swisstopo
extended-range ground-based air defence system will be Director: Fridolin Wicki

DDPS
selected. Selection will be based on an evaluation report www.swisstopo.ch
demonstrating the cost-benefit ratio of the best candi-
Federal Office of Sport
dates. The Federal Council will then decide which sys- FOSPO
tems to procure on that basis and thus which type of Director: Matthias Remund

Government
aircraft will protect the country from air attack from 2030. www.baspo.ch

Defence sector
In 2021 there are other important projects on the horizon, Chief of the Armed Forces:
such as extending support for sporting activities. The Lieutenant General
Federal Council will submit the NASAK 5 dispatch to Thomas Süssli
www.armee.ch
Parliament, a proposal to provide federal funding for new
sports facilities of national importance. Other projects Federal Intelligence
include the revision of the Intelligence Service Act. In Service FIS
Director:
addition to formal corrections, the DDPS is examining
Jean-Philippe Gaudin
whether procurement measures requiring approval are www.ndb.admin.ch
also necessary in order to tackle violent extremism.
Office of the Armed Forces
Attorney General
Armed Forces Attorney
Expenses 2019 (CHF) Staff (FTEs) 2019 General: Stefan Flachsmann
7.1 bn 11,909 www.oa.admin.ch

Photo left
Important services provided
during the pandemic: The
Spiez Laboratory helps to
protect Switzerland against
nuclear, biological and chemi-
cal hazards. www.vbs.admin.ch

65
 Federal Department of Finance
FDF
Federal finances, bridging credits, taxes – at the FDF, there is a lot
of emphasis on the state budget and on financial policy. The depart-
ment collects taxes and customs duties and checks the cross-­
border movement of people and goods. It also provides services for
the entire Federal Administration, from IT to human resources to
buildings and logistics.
FDF
Government

66
 “A healthy federal
budget creates scope
for action for future
generations.”
Ueli Maurer, head of the FDF.
Member of the Federal Council since 2009.

Sustainability is increasingly important in the financial

General Secretariat GS-FDF
sector. This represents an opportunity for environmentally
Secretary General: Rolf Götschmann
responsible growth. Switzerland should become a leading
www.efd.admin.ch
location for sustainable financial services and the condi­
tions should be designed to make the Swiss financial
centre more competitive. Environmental and climate State Secretariat for Autonomous
International Finance SIF
information should be available to everyone. Financial organisations
State Secretary:
institutions should provide competent advice on sustain­ Daniela Stoffel
Swiss Financial Market
ability and train their staff. Risks from environmental de­ www.sif.admin.ch
Supervisory Authority
velopments must be identified and priced in. FINMA
Federal Finance
Director: Mark Branson
Administration FFA
The pandemic has weighed heavily on federal finances. www.finma.ch
Director:
Switzerland’s government debt is low, so the country was Sabine D’Amelio-Favez
Swiss Federal Audit Office
in a relatively good starting position. The Federal Council www.efv.admin.ch
SFAO
and Parliament were able to approve high expenditure to Federal Office of Personnel
Director: Michel Huissoud
www.efk.admin.ch
cushion the impact. In the near future, however, the Con­ FOPER
federation is likely to face lower receipts and calls to re­ Director: Rahel von Kaenel

FDF
Federal Pension Fund
(from 1 March 2021)
duce COVID-19 debt. The Federal Council aims to meet PUBLICA
www.epa.admin.ch
the challenges for the federal budget without recourse to Director: Doris Bianchi
www.publica.ch
savings programmes if possible, so as not to jeopardise Federal Tax Administration

Government
economic recovery. FTA
Director: Adrian Hug
www.estv.admin.ch
Cyberattacks have become commonplace. Everyone
must take personal responsibility in protecting against Federal Customs
cyber-risks. The National Cybersecurity Centre, headed Administration FCA
Director: Christian Bock
by the Federal Cybersecurity Delegate in the FDF, is the www.ezv.admin.ch
first point of contact for the general public, businesses,
authorities and academia when it comes to cyberissues. Federal Office of Informa-
The contact point receives reports, analyses them and tion Technology, Systems
and Telecommunications
forwards them to the relevant bodies. FOITT
Director: Dirk Lindemann
www.bit.admin.ch

Federal Office for Build-

Expenses 2019 (CHF) Staff (FTEs) 2019 ings and Logistics FOBL
15.73 bn. 8,716 Director: Pierre Broye
www.bbl.admin.ch

Photo left
The FOBL builds modern,
energy-efficient administrative
premises on behalf of the
Confederation. www.efd.admin.ch

67
 Federal Department of Economic
Affairs, Education and Research
EAER
The EAER defines framework conditions for the economy and the
labour market. It sets the rules that apply in the private sector and in
agriculture, and represents the interests of the Swiss economy
abroad. It is responsible for organising vocational and professional
education and training and promotes research. The EAER also has
the task of making sure that the country is supplied with essential
goods.
EAER
Government

68
 “COVID-19 forces us to
take a fresh look at
things that previously
seemed unshakeable.”
Guy Parmelin, head of the EAER.
Member of the Federal Council since 2016.
President of the Swiss Confederation in 2021.

The EAER concerns itself with education, employment,

General Secretariat GS-EAER
research and economic affairs, all of which are closely
Secretary General: Nathalie Goumaz
linked. Sound education and training ensure that people
www.wbf.admin.ch
in Switzerland can find employment that suits them. Now-
adays it is unusual for someone to spend their entire
working life in the same position. So continuing education State Secretariat for Autonomous
Economic Affairs SECO
and training is something that almost all of us have to
State Secretary:
organisations
consider sooner or later. Marie-Gabrielle
Office of the Price
Ineichen-Fleisch
Supervisor
In the course of a person’s career, the EAER is again the www.seco.admin.ch
Price Supervisor:
point of contact regarding working conditions and indus- State Secretariat for
Stefan Meierhans
trial relations. And if someone finds themselves out of www.preisueberwacher.
Education, Research and
admin.ch
work, unemployment insurance ensures that they have Innovation SERI
State Secretary:
a financial cushion while seeking a new job. Competition Commission
Martina Hirayama
COMCO
www.seri.admin.ch
Director: Patrik Ducrey
The federal government sets framework conditions for the
www.weko.admin.ch

EAER
Swiss economy that offer stable conditions for business Federal Office for
Agriculture FOAG
and encourage innovation. The EAER is responsible for Board of the Federal
Director: Christian Hofer
implementing the government’s economic measures. In Institutes of Technology
www.foag.admin.ch
ETH
today’s digital age it is particularly important to limit regu-
President of the ETH Board:

Government
lation and cut red tape. The best way to make the econo- Federal Office for National
Michael O. Hengartner
Economic Supply FONES
my more competitive is by promoting research and inno- www.ethrat.ch
Delegate: Werner Meier
vation, thereby opening up markets for our companies at www.fones.admin.ch
Swiss Federal Institute for
home and abroad. The EAER naturally ensures the careful
Vocational Education and
use of land and resources in these activities through the Federal Office for Housing
Training SFIVET
FOH
Federal Office for Agriculture. Director: Martin Tschirren
Director: Barbara Fontanellaz
www.sfivet.swiss
www.bwo.admin.ch

Swiss Innovation Agency

Federal Office for Civilian
Innosuisse
Service CIVI
Director: Annalise Eggimann
Director: Christoph Hartmann
www.innosuisse.ch
www.zivi.admin.ch

Expenses 2019 (CHF) Staff (FTEs) 2019

12.71 bn 2,104

Photo left
A PhD student works with the
‘iCub’ robot at the EPFL
where research is conducted
into artificial intelligence. www.wbf.admin.ch

69
 Federal Department of the
Environment, Transport, Energy
and Communications DETEC
Roads, rail, power and the media: DETEC assures Switzerland’s basic
public services. But it also takes care of our natural environment:
woodlands, landscape, water, air, plants and animals. DETEC pursues
a climate policy that is also beneficial for the economy.
DETEC
Government

70
 “The NRLA means
heavy goods vehicles
can be transferred
from our roads to rail,
helping us to protect
the climate.”
Simonetta Sommaruga, head of DETEC.
Member of the Federal Council since 2010.

General Secretariat GS-DETEC

Secretary General: Matthias Ramsauer
www.uvek.admin.ch
The Lötschberg tunnel entered into operation in 2007, the
Gotthard followed in 2016 and the Ceneri – the final sec- Federal Office of Transport Autonomous
tion of the new rail link through the Alps – in 2020, mark- FOT
organisations
ing the completion of the NRLA. Passengers are now able Director: Peter Füglistaler
www.bav.admin.ch
to travel more rapidly between north and south, Ticino Swiss Federal Nuclear
has obtained a high-quality regional rail service, and we Safety Inspectorate ENSI
Federal Office of Civil
Director: Marc Kenzelmann
are consolidating our traffic transfer policy. We are now Aviation FOCA
www.ensi.ch
able to transport even more goods through Switzerland Director: Christian Hegner
www.bazl.admin.ch
by rail instead of by road – just as the people of Switzer- Federal Inspectorate for
land decided in a series of popular votes. This protects Heavy Current Installations
Swiss Federal Office
ESTI
nature, people and the climate. of Energy SFOE
Director: Daniel Otti
Director: Benoît Revaz
www.esti.admin.ch
www.bfe.admin.ch
Switzerland is an Alpine country and is particularly affect-
ed by the impact of climate change: the glaciers are melt- Swiss Transportation
Federal Roads Office
Safety Investigation Board
ing, permafrost is thawing, and mountainsides are slip- FEDRO
STSB
ping into valleys. All of this poses a threat to people and Director: Jürg Röthlisberger
President: Pieter Zeilstra
www.astra.admin.ch

DETEC
infrastructure. DETEC is therefore striving to do more in www.sust.admin.ch
terms of climate protection. In the field of energy, for ex- Federal Office of
Federal Electricity
ample, we want to move away from oil and gas, which are Communications OFCOM
Commission ElCom
Director: Bernard Maissen
expensive and harmful to the climate, and make a rapid President: Werner Luginbühl
www.bakom.admin.ch
switch to more solar, hydro- and wind power. This is what www.elcom.admin.ch

Government
the public wants. We are therefore in the process of Federal Office for the
Federal Communications
amending the Energy and Electricity Supply Act. With Environment FOEN
Commission ComCom
Director:
regard to the environment, Parliament has tightened up President:
Kathrin Schneeberger
the CO2 Act. This will enable us to reduce greenhouse gas Adrienne Corboud Fumagalli
www.bafu.admin.ch
www.comcom.admin.ch
emissions from transport, industry and buildings. And the
Act gives a boost to renewable energies. In addition, we Federal Office for Spatial
Independent Complaints
Development ARE
are creating orders and jobs for industry. An effective Director: Maria Lezzi
Authority for Radio and
climate policy and a strong economy are not mutually Television ICA
www.are.admin.ch
President:
incompatible. On the contrary, by moving away from oil Mascha Santschi Kallay
and gas we can create jobs with long-term prospects www.ubi.admin.ch
here at home.
Federal Postal Services
Commission PostCom
Expenses 2019 (CHF) Staff (FTEs) 2019 President:
Anne Seydoux-Christe
12.59 bn 2,285 www.postcom.admin.ch

Rail Transport Commission

RailCom
Photo left
President:
August 2020: Finishing touch-
Patrizia Danioth Halter
es are made to tracks in the
www.railcom.admin.ch
Ceneri base tunnel before the
start of trial operations on
1 September 2020. www.uvek.admin.ch

71
The Judiciary The Courts
The federal judges deliberate and decide the ushers are also deployed. They perform
publicly on a case if they cannot reach agree- countless other tasks in addition to distributing
ment in writing. Before and during the hearings, mail and files in the building.
 The Judiciary
The Courts
There are four federal courts. The highest court is the Federal
Supreme Court, which rules in the final instance on cases from
almost all areas of law. The three federal courts of first instance have
different tasks. The Federal Criminal Court is responsible for criminal
matters of particular importance to the Swiss Confederation as well
as for appeals concerning judicial assistance in criminal matters.
The Federal Administrative Court rules on appeals against rulings of
the federal administrative authorities and the Federal Patent Court
on disputes over invention patents.
www.eidgenoessischegerichte.ch
The Judiciary

Election of judges
The judges of the federal courts are elected by the United
Federal Assembly for a term of office of 6 years. Re-elec-
Courts

tion is possible without restriction. At the latest, judges

leave office at the end of their 68 th year of age.

The United Federal Assembly also elects the presidents

and vice-presidents of the courts. The presidential term of
office is 2 years (with the exception of the Federal Patent
Court: 6 years). A one-time re-election is possible.

There is no compulsory basic training for judges in Switzer­

land. A law degree is not mandatory, but it is the norm.
Usually, judges at the federal courts have previously
Presentation film worked as judges of other instances, court clerks, law
The Federal Supreme Court teachers, lawyers or as senior legal officials.

74
Procedures in the Swiss legal system

Second cantonal instance

First cantonal instance
Civil law disputes (Code of (Court of appeal, cantonal
(District Court)
Obligations, Civil Code) Court)
Civil law

Federal Patent Court

Patent disputes

Federal Supreme Court

Second cantonal instance
First cantonal instance
(Court of appeal, cantonal
Criminal cases (District Court)
Court)
Criminal law

Federal Criminal Court

Federal criminal cases Second federal instance

(certain offences) First federal instance
(Higher Appeals Chamber,
(Criminal Chamber)
Lower Appeals Chamber)

Internal administrative can-

Administrative law

Rulings from commune/ tonal appeal body (Appeals Cantonal Administrative Court
canton commission, Government)

Rulings of the Federal Federal Administrative Court

Administration

The Judiciary
The federal courts are located In 2019 approximately 16,000
at four sites cases were closed

St. Gallen: Federal Supreme Court

Lucerne: Federal Administrative Court
Federal Supreme and Federal Patent Court
Courts

Court (social law

divisions)

Federal Administrative Court

Federal Criminal Court

Lausanne:
Federal Supreme
Federal Patent Court
Court (main seat) Bellinzona:
Federal Criminal Court

75
 Federal Supreme Court
The Federal Supreme Court rules in the highest instance on legal
disputes between citizens, between citizens and the state, between
cantons as well as between the federal government and the cantons.
These disputes may concern matters in civil, criminal, administrative
and social law.
www.bger.ch www.eidgenoessischegerichte.ch

Functions Organisation
In general, it definitively examines decisions of The Federal Supreme Court is divided according to legal
lower courts areas. It consists of
As the highest judicial authority, the Federal Supreme
Court rules on appeals against decisions of the highest • two public law divisions (e.g. taxes, political rights)
cantonal courts, the Federal Criminal Court, the Federal • two civil law divisions (e.g. contract law, family law)
Administrative Court and the Federal Patent Court. It • a criminal law division
examines whether they have applied the law correctly. In • two social law divisions (e.g. accident and disability
the case of human rights issues, an appeal can be lodged insurance).
at the European Court of Human Rights.
38 ordinary and 19 substitute judges work at the Federal
It ensures uniform application of the law Supreme Court. They are assisted by 350 other em­
Through its decisions, the Federal Supreme Court en- ployees (including around 150 court clerks).
sures uniform application of federal law. It protects the
constitutional rights of citizens. The other courts and the The Federal Supreme Court is represented externally
administrative authorities align themselves with its deci- by its president. The whole court (all 38 federal judges)
sions. decides on the most important questions. The seat of
the Federal Supreme Court is in Lausanne. For historical
It contributes to the development of law reasons, the two social law divisions are located in
Federal Supreme Court

If the Federal Supreme Court has to rule on a legal ques- Lucerne.

tion that is not or not clearly regulated by the law, it con-
tributes to the development of the law through its case President: Martha Niquille
law. This can lead to Parliament reformulating a law.

Scheduled dates for public hearings

www.bger.ch > Rechtsprechung > Sitzungen (in German)

Outcome and number of cases in 2019

Courts

Rejected Declared inadmissible Approved (fully or partially) Written off

76
Cantonal courts or the federal courts of first
instance rule in the first and second instance.
If the parties concerned do not agree with a
decision, they can take their case to the Federal
Supreme Court. The Federal Supreme Court Act
regulates the conditions under which an appeal
is possible.

Particularities
Usually in writing
The proceedings before the Federal Supreme Court are
generally in writing. The competent judge studies the
case and submits a written draft decision to the other President of the
judges involved in the case. If all the judges agree, the Federal Supreme Court
Martha Niquille
decision is rendered. If they do not all agree, a public
hearing is scheduled.
Is the Federal Supreme Court also subject to review?
The Federal Supreme Court is the highest judicial authority
Transparent
in Switzerland. In this respect, there is no judicial review of
During a public hearing, the judges discuss the case,
our decisions. At most, an appeal can be submitted to the
often in the presence of the parties to the dispute, media
European Court of Human Rights. Our important decisions
representatives or visitors. At the end, the judges vote by
are discussed and criticised in scientific papers. We address
show of hands. All judgments of the Federal Supreme
this criticism, which is, so to speak, an internal control for
Court are published on the Internet. Film sequences of
us. As far as the administration of the court is concerned,
public hearings are published when they are of particular
we are subject to the supervision of the Parliament.
interest to the public.

The decisions of the Federal Supreme Court are

No independent examination of the facts
discussed in the press…

Federal Supreme Court

of the case
Yes – and that is important. We are aware that it can be
The Federal Supreme Court examines legal issues. In
difficult for many citizens to understand legal terminology.
principle, it bases its findings on the facts as they were
Therefore, to better communicate our decisions, we now
established by the lower courts.
publish press releases more frequently.

Multilingual – three or five judges

Specialisation is a trend – also at the Federal
The judges of the Federal Supreme Court come from all
Supreme Court?
linguistic regions of Switzerland. During public hearings,
A rough kind of “specialisation” results from the fact that
they speak in their mother tongues. The decisions are
the seven court divisions are each responsible for specific
written either in German, French or Italian and are not
areas of law. If these are very diverse, we take the special-
translated. As a rule, three judges decide on a case and
ised knowledge of a court member into account when
five when the case raises legal questions of fundamental
Courts

assigning cases for the decisions to be drafted.

importance or upon the request of a judge.
The President of the Federal
Supreme Court is elected by
Parliament for a term of two
years. She represents the
Federal Supreme Court vis-à-
vis the outside world.

Publication of Film sequences

decisions of public hearings
www.bger.ch www.bger.ch

77
 Federal Criminal Court
The Federal Criminal Court rules at two instances on criminal cases
of particular interest for the Swiss Confederation. It also decides
on appeals against the Office of the Attorney General or other
prosecution and legal assistance authorities, as well as on conflicts
of jurisdiction between cantons or the Confederation and the
cantons.
www.bstger.ch

Functions Particularities
Most criminal offences are judged by cantonal courts. Large procedures
The Federal Criminal Court rules on criminal cases of A criminal procedure before the Federal Criminal Court
particular interest for the Confederation, including crimi- may refer to several individuals and be multilingual, mak-
nal offences committed by or against federal employees, ing translations necessary. At times special security
offences involving explosives, counterfeiting, cross-bor- measures have to be adopted for the hearings. The writ-
der economic crime, organised crime, corruption and ten judgment in large proceedings involving several par-
money laundering as well as aviation offences. ties regularly far exceeds a hundred pages.

The Federal Criminal Court reviews rulings issued by International context

federal prosecution authorities as well as authorities Criminal procedures often have an international relation,
providing international mutual assistance in criminal mat- especially in the area of economic crime and terrorism.
ters. It also rules on conflicts of jurisdiction between pros- The Lower Appeals Court decides amongst other things if
ecution authorities. Switzerland may extradite a person to another state, or if
evidence (mostly bank records) is to be handed out to
another state.
Federal Criminal Court

Organisation
The Federal Criminal Court consists of a Criminal, a Lower
Criminal Chamber: cases by subject matter in 2019
Appeals and a Higher Appeals Chamber. Criminal Chamber
judgments can be subject to appeal before the Higher Ap-
18
peals Chamber. The latter has only been established in
2019. Most of the Lower as well as the Higher Appeals Economic crime
Court judgments can be referred to the Federal Supreme 13
Court.
Money laundering
Courts

12
The Court has 20 tenured and 13 part-time judges. Some
60 employees support them. The Federal Criminal Court’s Administrative criminal cases
management bodies are the Administrative Commission 6
and the Plenary Assembly (consisting of all tenured judges). Criminal organisation
6
Subsequent decisions (e.g. conversion of
President: Sylvia Frei monetary penalty into imprisonment)
2
Bribery

29
Other offences (e.g. counterfeiting of currency, explosives
offences, aviation offences)

78
Federal Administrative Court
The Federal Administrative Court handles appeals against rulings
made by federal administrative authorities. In certain areas, it also
reviews decisions made by cantonal authorities. The court is
composed of six divisions and the General Secretariat, which is
responsible for court administration.
www.bvger.ch @BVGer_Schweiz

Functions 7157 cases were closed in 2019

The Federal Administrative Court decides on appeals

concerning the legality of rulings made by the federal
Not appealable Appealable to the Thereof appealed
administrative authorities. It therefore deals with a broad to the Federal Federal Supreme to the Federal
spectrum of legal issues ranging from asylum to fiscal law. Supreme Court Court Supreme Court
The court also examines complaints against certain deci-
sions made by cantonal governments such as those
concerning hospital lists. Finally, it delivers judgments on
legal action in three specific areas in the first instance,
e.g. in cases involving public law contracts.

Organisation

Federal Administrative Court

The Federal Administrative Court, which is based in
St. Gallen, is composed of six divisions and the General
Secretariat. Division I focuses on infrastructure, taxes,
federal employment and data protection; Division II on
economics, competition and education; Division III on
social insurance and public health; Divisions IV and V on
asylum law; and Division VI on the law on foreign nation-
als and citizenship.

Its judges are elected by the United Federal Assembly.

Particularities
They perform their duties independently and are bound
Own investigations
only by the law.
Courts

In the event of a legal dispute, the Federal Administrative

Court does not rely solely on the facts established in the
With 74 judges and 355 employees, it is Switzerland’s
lower-court proceedings and the arguments of the par-
largest federal court.
ties, but establishes the relevant facts of the case itself.
Expert opinions may be commissioned and preparatory
President: Marianne Ryter
hearings or inspections undertaken in certain cases.

Partly final
Each year, the court renders an average of 7,500 deci-
sions – mostly in writing – in German, French and Italian.
Most of its judgments are final.

79
 Federal Patent Court
The Federal Patent Court decides disputes relating to patents. The
smallest of the federal courts, it regularly deals with international
actors. With the agreement of the parties, pleadings and briefs can
be in English.
www.bundespatentgericht.ch/en

Functions cases by technical field received in 2019

Developing a technical idea usually costs a lot of money.

With a patent, the ‘intellectual property’ of an invention is
legally protected. In the event of a dispute, the Federal
Chemistry, metallurgy
Patent Court decides whether a new technical develop-
ment meets the requirements for patent protection; it also
assesses whether existing patent rights are being in-
fringed. It must also decide who is the legal holder of a
patent or how a patent may be used in the context of
Human necessities
licensing. (incl. pharmaceuticals) Performing operations;
transporting

Until 2012, the cantonal courts had jurisdiction in matters

relating to patent disputes. Since then, they have been a
matter for the Federal Patent Court. Its judgments may be
appealed to the Federal Supreme Court.
Mechanical engineering, Construction, earth
lighting, heating drilling, mining
Federal Patent Court

Organisation
Textiles, paper Physics Electronics
The Federal Patent Court is the smallest federal court. It is
not split into different divisions. 41 non-permanent judges
work for the court but they do not have their own offices
in the court. The president of the Federal Patent Court,
another judge, two court clerks and two office staff mem- Particularities
bers work for the Federal Patent Court on a permanent
basis. English is also permitted as a language
Courts

International actors frequently appear before the Federal

The seat of the Federal Patent Court is in St. Gallen. It Patent Court; English is also often used in the field of
does not have its own courtroom. If court hearings take technology. The parties to the dispute may therefore also
place, they are held in the building of the nearby Federal conduct proceedings in English if everyone agrees.
Administrative Court. The Federal Patent Court can also
hear cases in the cantons, e.g. in Neuchâtel, if the parties Judges with technical expertise
come from French-speaking Switzerland. The Federal Patent Court regularly deals with complex
technical issues in its proceedings. Judges with appropri-
President: Mark Schweizer ate technical expertise are therefore involved, enabling
fast and cost-effective proceedings, as time-consuming
and costly opinions from external experts can usually be
avoided.

80
Judgments delivered by the
federal courts
Referendum Asylum procedure
In 2019, the Federal Supreme In a landmark judgment, the
Court overturned the 2016 Federal Administrative Court
federal vote on the popular approved the appeal of an
initiative “In Favour of Mar- asylum seeker whose proce-
riage and Family – Against the dure were dealt with and
Discrimination of Married decided on an accelerated
Couples”. The Court came to basis. Despite the complexity
the conclusion that the Feder- of the case, the State Secre-
al Council had incompletely tariat for Migration (SEM) had
and with insufficient transpar- not opted for extended proce-
ency informed the voters dure, resulting in only a short
about important facts con- time limit of 7 working days to
cerning the proposal. Be- file an appeal instead of the
cause the initiative was only standard 30 calendar days.
narrowly rejected, the result The SEM was instructed to
of the vote could have been re-evaluate the application for
different without the serious asylum using the extended
irregularities, which were procedure.
subsequently identified. Judgment E-6713/2019
BGE 145 I 207
Pre-trial detention
Measles vaccination In 2020, the Federal Criminal
According to a ruling by the Court rejected the appeal of
Federal Supreme Court of Gambia’s former Interior
2020, if parents with joint Minister requesting his re-
custody cannot agree whether lease from pre-trial detention.
to vaccinate their children The Office of the Attorney
against measles, the compe- General of Switzerland is
tent authority must decide for conducting criminal proceed-
them. The highest guiding ings against him investigating
principle for this decision is crimes against humanity. The
the children’s welfare. The Lower Appeals Chamber

Judgments delivered by the federal courts

recommendations of the concluded that there is a
Federal Office of Public strong suspicion that he is
Health must also be taken guilty of the investigated
into consideration. This offences and that pre-trial
should only be differed from, detention lasting three and a
if the measles vaccination is half years so far
incompatible, in a particular is reasonable.
case, with the children’s Decree BH.2020.7 (confirmed
welfare. by the Federal Supreme
Judgment 5A_789/2019 Court)

Attorney General Ventilator

Due to various breaches of In 2019, the Federal Patent
official duty, the Supervisory Court partially upheld the
Authority for the Office of the complaint of a company with
Attorney General sanctioned a patent for ventilators where
the Attorney General in March certain respiratory values
2020, imposing an eight from the patient are displayed
percent salary reduction for on a screen in the form of an
one year. In its judgment, the animated lung for diagnostic
Federal Administrative Court purposes. The defendant is
upheld that the Attorney prohibited from distributing
General had seriously devices, which have features
Courts

breached his official duty and protected by the patent in

duty of loyalty in several Switzerland and Liechten-
respects. However, it rejected stein, among other activities,
some accusations as un- on penalty of a fine.
founded and reduced the Judgment O2017_007
sanction by three percent.
Judgment A-2138/2020

81
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Information services and language services of the Federal
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Design
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Photos
Annette Boutellier (p. 6, 16, 28, 60, 62, 64, 66, 68, 72)
Béatrice Devènes (p. 35, 36, 45, 77)
Markus A. Jegerlehner (p. 46/47, 50/51)
Rolf Weiss (p. 3, 57)
FDFA (p. 58)
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Anthony Anex (p. 67, 69)

Historic photos on pages 10/11 (chronological)

Old Confederation: State Archive Schwyz
Helvetic Republic: Swiss National Museum (SNM)
Mediation: SNM
Federal Treaty: Wikimedia Commons
Sonderbund War: SNM
Federal Constitution: SNM
Expanded democracy: Wikimedia Commons
First World War, General Strike: SNM
Proportional representation: Wikimedia Commons
Second World War: Hans Tomamichel/SNM
Equal opportunities: SNM
Third Federal Constitution: Wikimedia Commons

Editorial deadline
12 January 2021

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Art. No. 104.617.e

43 rd edition, February 2021

82


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