The Federal Authorities of the Swiss Confederation
The Federal Authorities of the Swiss Confederation
Home Content Area
Political organisation of Switzerland
The people: the supreme authority
According to the Federal Constitution, the Swiss people are sovereign and ultimately the supreme political authority. The concept includes all Swiss adults who are eligible to vote – some 4.8 million citizens, equivalent to around 60 per cent of the resident population. Those under the age of 18 and foreign nationals have no political rights at federal level.
The supreme authority elects
Parliament: the legislative authority
The Swiss parliament consists of two chambers which, when in joint session, are known as the United Federal Assembly. It is the country’s legislative authority.
The National Council, through its 200 members, represents the population of the country as a whole – the individual cantons are represented in proportion to the number of their inhabitants.
The Council of States represents the 26 cantons – 20 cantons are represented by two members while the six former half-cantons each send one representative to the 46-strong chamber. Both chambers are directly elected by the people: the National Council, is elected in accordance with federal rules and the Council of States according to provisions differing from canton to canton. In both cases, the cantons form the constituencies.
The National Council, through its 200 members, represents the population of the country as a whole – the individual cantons are represented in proportion to the number of their inhabitants.
The Council of States represents the 26 cantons – 20 cantons are represented by two members while the six former half-cantons each send one representative to the 46-strong chamber. Both chambers are directly elected by the people: the National Council, is elected in accordance with federal rules and the Council of States according to provisions differing from canton to canton. In both cases, the cantons form the constituencies.
The legislative authority elects
The government: the executive authority
The government of Switzerland consists of the seven members of the Federal Council, as well as the Federal Chancellor, and is elected by the United Federal Assembly for a four-year term. The President of the Swiss Confederation is elected each year and is considered Primus inter pares or first among equals during that time. He chairs the sessions of the Federal Council and undertakes special ceremonial duties.
The legislative authority elects
The Supreme Court: the judicial authority
The legislature elects the federal courts: the judiciary.
The Federal Supreme Court is the supreme judicial authority of the Confederation. It is comprised of 38 full-time and 19 part-time judges. The seat of the Court is in Lausanne; the social law divisions however are located in Lucerne. The lower instances of the Federal Supreme Court at federal level are the Federal Administrative Court and the Federal Patent Court, both of which are based in St. Gallen, and the Federal Criminal Court based in Bellinzona. The Federal Criminal Court hears criminal cases under federal jurisdiction, and disputes involving international mutual assistance in criminal matters. In certain cases, decisions of the Federal Administrative Court and the Federal Criminal Court may not be challenged in the Federal Supreme Court.
The Federal Supreme Court is the supreme judicial authority of the Confederation. It is comprised of 38 full-time and 19 part-time judges. The seat of the Court is in Lausanne; the social law divisions however are located in Lucerne. The lower instances of the Federal Supreme Court at federal level are the Federal Administrative Court and the Federal Patent Court, both of which are based in St. Gallen, and the Federal Criminal Court based in Bellinzona. The Federal Criminal Court hears criminal cases under federal jurisdiction, and disputes involving international mutual assistance in criminal matters. In certain cases, decisions of the Federal Administrative Court and the Federal Criminal Court may not be challenged in the Federal Supreme Court.
End Content Area
