Council of States (Switzerland)

Council of States (Switzerland)
Name	Council of States
Native name	Ständerat, Conseil des États, Consiglio degli Stati, Cussegl dals Stadis
Legislature	Federal Assembly
House type	Upper house
Body	Swiss Federal Parliament
Foundation	1848
Leader1 type	President
Leader1	Eva Herzog
Election1	4 December 2023
Leader2 type	First Vice-President
Leader2	Johanna Gapany
Election2	4 December 2023
Members	46
Political groups	Government parties (38), The Centre (15), FDP.The Liberals (11), Social Democrats (9), Greens (3), Non-government parties (8), Swiss People's Party (6), Green Liberals (2)
Voting system1	Majority system (in most cantons)
Last election1	22 October 2023
Meeting place	Council of States chamber, Federal Palace, Bern
Website	parlament.ch

Council of States (Switzerland). The Council of States is the upper house of the Federal Assembly, the federal parliament of Switzerland. It represents the cantons, with each canton electing two members and each half-canton one, resulting in a total of 46 councillors. Alongside the National Council, it constitutes the supreme federal authority, playing a crucial role in the nation's direct democratic system.

History

The chamber was established by the Swiss Federal Constitution of 1848, which transformed Switzerland from a confederation of states into a federal state. Its structure was directly influenced by the precedent of the Diet of the Confederation, where each canton had one vote. The principle of cantonal equality was a key compromise between the larger cantons and the smaller ones during the drafting of the constitution, mirroring concepts found in other federal systems like the United States Senate. The total revision of the constitution in 1874 and the complete revision in 1999 reaffirmed its fundamental role without altering its core composition.

Composition and election

The council comprises 46 members, with each of the 20 full cantons electing two representatives, and each of the six half-cantons—Obwalden, Nidwalden, Basel-Stadt, Basel-Landschaft, Appenzell Ausserrhoden, and Appenzell Innerrhoden—electing one. Elections are held according to cantonal law, with most using a majority system, though some, like Neuchâtel and Jura, employ proportional representation. The electoral term is four years, synchronized with the National Council.

Powers and functions

The Council of States holds powers identical to those of the National Council, embodying the principle of perfect bicameralism. It participates fully in the federal legislative process, the approval of the federal budget, and the ratification of international treaties. It also elects members of the Federal Council, Federal Supreme Court judges, and the Federal Chancellor, in joint sessions with the National Council.

Role in the legislative process

For a bill to become federal law, it must be approved in identical wording by both the Council of States and the National Council. If the two chambers disagree, the matter is resolved through a conciliation conference. The council also deliberates on popular initiatives and mandatory referendums, and its members can introduce parliamentary initiatives. Its debates often emphasize cantonal perspectives and the protection of federalist principles.

Political groups

Councillors organize into political groups that are formally distinct from, but closely aligned with, the national parties. The main groups are The Centre, the FDP.The Liberals, the Social Democrats, the Swiss People's Party, the Greens, and the Green Liberals. These groups coordinate parliamentary work, including committee assignments, but voting discipline is generally looser than in the National Council.

Notable members

Historically significant members include Wilhelm Matthias Naeff, a key drafter of the 1848 constitution and later a Federal Councillor; Elisabeth Blunschy, the first woman to preside over the chamber in 1977; and Filippo Lombardi, a long-serving president known for his work on European policy. Other prominent figures who served include former Federal Councillors like Kaspar Villiger and Samuel Schmid, as well as influential cantonal leaders such as Benedikt Würth from St. Gallen.

Category:National upper houses Category:Government of Switzerland Category:1848 establishments in Switzerland