Since 1968 the Federal Council has presented its political strategy to the newly elected parliament in the Dispatch on Legislature Planning (Parliament Act Art. 146). It sets out the most important aims and measures for the new legislature period. Since 1 December 2003, parliament has had the opportunity to modify this planning and submit specific requirements to the Federal Council (Parliament Act Art. 147). In Switzerland's system of concordance however, such a government programme does not mean the implementation of a party or coalition programme, as is the case in our neighbouring countries. Instead legislature planning is an instrument of dialogue between the Federal Council and parliament which is designed to reveal in good time what the government intends to do and where the support of both chambers can be counted on, or to what extent obstruction can be expected or amendments made.