Switzerland Government

Switzerland is a federal democracy with a bicameral legislature (Federal Democracy), namely the National Council (lower chamber) and the Council of States (upper chamber). The Constitution created all arms of the government. The judiciary has the Federal Supreme Court of Switzerland as the highest organ. The executive branch consists of the Swiss Federal Council of seven members who perform federal administrative roles and acts as a collective presidency and the cabinet. The President and vice president are largely ceremonial and are members of the Federal Council. Switzerland is both a direct and representative democracy as people elect representatives who elect the president but any constitutional change goes through a referendum.

In Switzerland, voting is known as votation where citizens elect all their representatives. Polling stations usually open a full day on Saturdays and morning hours on Sundays after which the declaration of results follows in the afternoon. Additionally, people can vote in advance through the post. Citizens vote for various officials including Federal Assembly, Federal Popular initiatives (like constitutional amendments), and mandatory or optional referendums. Swiss citizens above the age of 18 years can vote as long as they have registered to vote. This rule includes Swiss citizens living in other countries who can vote on federal matters at the nearest Swiss Consulate. The four dominant political parties are Swiss People’s Party, Social Democratic Party, FDP.The Liberals, and the Christian Democratic People’s Party.

The Federal Palace, located in Bern, houses both the Swiss Federal Assembly and the Federal Council. Architect Hans Auer designed the Palace with its inauguration following on April 1, 1902, at a total cost of 7,198,000 Swiss Francs. This house has a central part housing the assembly, and two wings (east and west) housing government offices and library. At the center, the Hall of the Dome separates National Council and Council of States meeting places. Another building, the Béatrice-von-Wattenwyl-Haus in Bern, houses Swiss Federal Council’s ceremonial events and is open only four times a year. The Federal Council, including the President, lives in the estate of Lohn in Kehrsatz.

Although Switzerland is home to a multi-party system, the country's largest political parties have been functioning together as a coalition government since 1959. Major political parties include the Swiss People's Party, the Social Democratic Party, GDP.The Liberals, the Christian Democratic People's Party, the Conservative Democratic Party and the Green Party.

This page was last modified on May 1st, 2018

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Published on 2019-11-06


Capital	Bern
Languages	German (or Swiss German) (official) 63%, French (official) 22.7%, Italian (official) 8.1%, English 4.9%, Portuguese 3.7%, Albanian 3%, Serbo-Croatian 2.4%, Spanish 2.2%, Romansch (official) 0.5%, other 7.1%
Ethnic Groups	German 65%, French 18%, Italian 10%, Romansch 1%, other 6%
Religion	Roman Catholic 37.3%, Protestant 24.9%, other Christian 5.8%, Muslim 5.1%, other 1.4%, Jewish 0.2%, none 23.9%, unspecified 1.3% (2015 est.)
Government	Federal republic (formally a confederation)
Independance	1 August 1291 (founding of the Swiss Confederation)
Area	41,277.00 km²
Water Area	1,280.00 km²
Land Area	39,997.00 km²
Population	8,179,294.00 Population distribution corresponds to elevation with the northern and western areas far more heavily populated; the higher Alps of the south limit settlement
Location	Central Europe, east of France, north of Italy
No. Bordering Countries	5
Bordering Countries	Austria 158 km, France 525 km, Italy 698 km, Liechtenstein 41 km, Germany 348 km
GDP(PPP)	$496,000,000,000.00 (USD)
GDP (Per Capita)	$59,400.00 (USD)
Export Partners	Its major export partners are Germany, the United States, and Hong Kong.
Export Commodities	Its main exports are machinery, chemicals, metals, watches, and agricultural products.
Import Partners	Its major import partners are Germany, the United Kingdom, and the United States.
Import Commodities	Its major imports include machinery, chemicals, and vehicles.
Climate	Mostly desert; hot, dry, sunny summers (June to August) and mild, rainy winters (December to February) along coast; cold weather with snow or sleet periodically in Damascus
Terrain	Mostly mountains (Alps in south, Jura in northwest) with a central plateau of rolling hills, plains, and large lakes
Learn More	Switzerland

Switzerland Government

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