Switzerland, featuring a direct democracy and policy of neutrality, has developed a federal republic, with executive, legislative, and judicial branches of government.

Switzerland has a long-standing history of neutrality, having not been at war since 1815. The Swiss were able to remain independent throughout World War II due to a combination of military deterrence and economic concessions to Germany.

Political System

Switzerland, also known as the Swiss Confederation, is considered a federal parliamentary democratic republic, with the seat of government centered in the capital city, Bern. The country features a direct democracy, where any citizen may challenge laws passed by Parliament. The Swiss Confederation was formally founded on August 1, 1291. The national holiday is called Founding of the Swiss Confederation, celebrated on August 1.

Switzerland’s current constitution was originally adopted in 1874. Major revisions to the document was approved by the Federal Parliament on December 18, 1998, and adopted by referendum on April 18, 1999. This third federal constitution officially came into force on January 1, 2000. The Federal Constitution allows for universal suffrage at 18 years of age.

Administrative Regions

Switzerland consists of 26 cantons, each with its own constitution, government, parliament, courts, and laws. Twenty cantons are represented by two Councillors in the Swiss Council of States. The other six cantons, traditionally known as half-cantons*, are represented by only one Councillor. The cantons are:

• Aargau
• Appenzell Innerrhoden*
• Appenzell Ausserrhoden*
• Basel-Stadt*
• Basel-Landschaft*
• Bern
• Fribourg
• Geneva
• Glarus
• Graubunden
• Jura
• Lucerne
• Neuchatel
• Nidwalden*
• Obwalden*
• Schaffhausen
• Schwyz
• Solothurn
• St. Gallen
• Thurgau
• Ticino
• Uri
• Valais
• Vaud
• Zug
• Zurich

Executive Branch

The President is Switzerland’s chief of state and head of government. The President and Vice President are both elected by the Federal Assembly from among the members of the Federal Council for a one year term. They are not allowed to serve consecutive terms. Pascal Couchepin is the country’s current President, and Hans-Rudolf Merz is the Vice-President. Both assumed office on January 1, 2008.

All members of the Federal Council (cabinet) are elected by the Federal Assembly, usually from its own members, to four year terms. The current Federal Councillors are:

• Foreign Affairs - Micheline Calmy-Rey, substitute: Doris Leuthard
• Home Affairs - Pascal Couchepin, substitute: MichelineCalmy-Rey
• Justice and Police - Eveline Widmer-Schlumpf, substitute: Moritz Leuenberger
• Defense, Civil Protection and Sports - Samuel Schmid, substitute: Hans-Rudolf Merz
• Finance - Hans-Rudolf Merz, substitut: Eveline Widmer-Schlumpf
• Economic Affairs - Doris Leuthard, substitute: Pascal Couchepin
• Transport, Communications and Energy - Moritz Leuenberger, substitute: Samuel Schmid

Legislative Branch

The Swiss Federal Assembly is a bicameral body consisting of the 46-seat Council of States and the 200-seat National Council. Each member of the Council of States represents a canton, and serve four year terms. National Council members are elected by popular vote via proportional representation to serve four year terms. The President of the National Council is Andre Bugnon, and the President of the Council of States is Christoffel Brandll.

The current structure of the Council of States, by political party is (number of seats):

• Christian Democratic People’s Party - 15
• Radical Free Democratic Party - 14
• Social Democratic Party - 9
• Swiss People’s Party - 8

The current structure of the National Council, by political party is (number of seats):

• Swiss People’s Party - 55
• Social Democratic Party - 51
• Radical Free Democratic Party - 40
• Christian Democratic People’s Party - 28
• Green Party - 14
• PEV/UDF Faction - 5
• Independent (Factionless Caucus) - 6

Judicial Branch

The country’s judicial branch consists of the Federal Supreme Court. Judges are elected by the Federal Assembly for six year terms.

Legal System

The Swiss legal system is based on civil law, influenced by customary law. The country has accepted compulsory International Court of Justice (ICJ) jurisdiction with reservations.

References

Barrientos, Miguel. Index Mundi. 2007.

The Federal Assembly - The Swiss Parliament Official Website.

The Federal Authorities of the Swiss Confederation Official Website.