Tasks of the Federal Chancellery

As the Federal Council’s staff office, the Federal Chancellery organizes the government’s meetings and communicates its decisions. It publishes official texts, is the guarantor of political rights and ensures that federal elections and popular votes are held correctly.

The Federal Chancellery prepares the meetings of the Federal Council. The Federal Chancellery usher deposits files in the Federal Council chamber.

The interface between Federal Council, administration, parliament and the public

The Federal Chancellery (FCh) is the Federal Council’s staff office and acts as the interface between the government, administration, parliament and the public. It is responsible for preparing and running the Federal Council meetings and for doing the necessary follow-up work. It coordinates communications to the media and public about government decisions and opinions. The FCh ensures that the citizens can exercise their political rights and that federal elections and popular votes are held correctly. It publishes official texts and provides language services and plays a key role in the Federal Administration’s digital transformation process.

Government communication

The Federal Chancellery coordinates all information communicated by the federal government to the media, public, cantons and parliament. It works with the federal departments to ensure that information about the Federal Council’s activities and decisions is coherent and comprehensive and promptly communicated. Federal Council spokesperson Vice Chancellor André Simonazzi runs the media conference held following the weekly Federal Council meeting.

Political rights

The Swiss electorate enjoys extensive political rights. Registered voters are entitled to launch or sign initiatives and referendums. Three to four times a year they can vote on political issues and every four years they elect the members of the National Council. Most cantons hold elections to the Council of States at the same time. The Federal Chancellery informs the public about their political rights in general, and about the specific issues involved in federal votes. It ensures that elections run smoothly and publishes the results.

Official publications

In conjunction with the federal department involved, the Federal Chancellery is responsible for drawing up the Federal Council’s explanatory notes on popular votes. It also publishes legal texts, the federal gazette and other official publications. In brochures such as “The Swiss Confederation – A Brief Guide” and various websites the Federal Chancellery informs the public about how the Swiss state functions.

Digital Transformation

As of the beginning of 2021, the Federal Chancellery is responsible for digital transformation and ICT steering. The task of this new sector, in cooperation with other government departments, is to drive forward the digital transformation process within the Federal Administration and ensure ICT governance.

Federal Chancellery facts and figures

Staff (full-time positions / 2021): 283

Expenses 2021: CHF 127 million

 
 
 

Last modification 26.04.2023

Top of page

The federal Chancellery online

Homepage of the federal Chancellery

https://www.admin.ch/content/gov/en/start/federal-chancellery/tasks.html