Federal Assembly (Switzerland)

Federal Assembly (Switzerland)
Name	Federal Assembly
Native name	Bundesversammlung (German), Assemblée fédérale (French), Assemblea federale (Italian), Assamblea federala (Romansh)
Legislature	Federal Parliament of Switzerland
House type	Bicameral
Houses	Council of States, National Council
Foundation	1848
Leader1 type	President of the National Council
Leader1	Eric Nussbaumer
Election1	4 December 2023
Leader2 type	President of the Council of States
Leader2	Eva Herzog
Election2	4 December 2023
Members	246, (200 National Council, 46 Council of States)
Meeting place	Federal Palace of Switzerland, Bern
Website	parlament.ch

Federal Assembly (Switzerland). The Federal Assembly is the bicameral federal parliament and the supreme legislative and constitutional authority of the Swiss Confederation. It convenes in the Federal Palace of Switzerland in Bern and consists of two chambers: the National Council, representing the Swiss people, and the Council of States, representing the cantons. This structure, established by the Swiss Federal Constitution of 1848, embodies the principles of direct democracy and federalism that underpin the nation's political system.

Composition and structure

The Federal Assembly is composed of two chambers of equal power that meet separately but coordinate for certain key decisions. The National Council comprises 200 members elected under a system of Proportional representation from the 26 cantons, with seat allocation based on population. The Council of States has 46 members, with most cantons, such as Zürich and Bern, electing two representatives, while the six former half-cantons like Obwalden and Nidwalden elect one each. The chambers are presided over by a President of the National Council and a President of the Council of States, who are elected annually and represent the assembly externally. Members, known as National Councillors and Councillors of States, serve four-year terms and typically hold part-time mandates, a practice known as the Militia system.

Powers and functions

As the supreme authority of the Confederation, the Federal Assembly exercises extensive legislative, budgetary, and supervisory powers. It enacts federal laws, approves the federal budget, and ratifies international treaties such as those with the European Union. The assembly elects the seven members of the Federal Council, the Federal Chancellor, the judges of the Federal Supreme Court of Switzerland, and the General in times of war. It also supervises the activities of the Federal Administration and the Swiss Armed Forces. Crucially, it is responsible for constitutional amendments, which are then subject to mandatory referendums, a core feature of direct democracy.

Legislative process

The legislative process typically begins with a preliminary draft prepared by the Federal Council or a parliamentary initiative from a member of the National Council or Council of States. The draft is assigned to a parliamentary committee, such as the Legal Affairs Committee, for detailed examination and public consultation. Each chamber then debates and votes on the bill separately; for a law to pass, both chambers must adopt an identical text, a process requiring reconciliation in a Differences Committee if disagreements arise. Once passed, most significant legislation is subject to an optional popular referendum, where 50,000 signatures can force a national vote, as seen with acts like the Swiss COVID-19 Act.

History

The Federal Assembly was established by the Swiss Federal Constitution of 1848, which transformed the Swiss Confederation from a loose alliance of cantons into a federal state following the Sonderbund War. The bicameral model was influenced by the United States Congress, balancing popular and cantonal representation. Significant milestones include the introduction of Proportional representation for the National Council in 1919, the extension of voting rights to women in 1971, and the constitutional revisions of 1999 and 2000 which modernized the federal government's structure. The assembly's seat has been the Federal Palace of Switzerland in Bern since its completion in 1902.

Relationship with the Federal Council

The Federal Assembly and the Federal Council operate under a system of Separation of powers tempered by elements of Consensus democracy. While the assembly legislates and supervises, the Federal Council serves as the collegial executive, implementing laws and proposing legislation. Assembly members can interpellate councillors through formal questions and motions, and parliamentary committees regularly scrutinize executive actions. The assembly's power to elect and, in theory, dismiss Federal Councillors ensures political accountability, though such dismissals are exceptionally rare, with the last instance occurring in 2007 against Christoph Blocher.

Current composition and recent elections

Following the 2023 Swiss federal election, the National Council is dominated by the Swiss People's Party (SVP/UDC), the Social Democratic Party of Switzerland (SP/PS), The Centre, and the FDP.The Liberals. The Council of States features a stronger presence for FDP.The Liberals and The Centre. The current presidents are Eric Nussbaumer (SP/PS) of the National Council and Eva Herzog (SP/PS) of the Council of States. Key legislative topics in the 2023–2027 term include energy policy following the war in Ukraine, reforms to the Swiss pension system, and Switzerland's evolving relationship with the European Union and NATO.

Category:National legislatures Category:Government of Switzerland Category:Bicameral legislatures