Council of States (Switzerland)
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| Council of States (Switzerland) | |
|---|---|
| Name | Council of States |
| Native name | Ständerat |
| Legislature | Federal Assembly of Switzerland |
| House type | Upper chamber |
| Members | 46 |
| Meeting place | Federal Palace, Bern |
Council of States (Switzerland) is the upper chamber of the bicameral Federal Assembly of Switzerland alongside the National Council (Switzerland). It represents the Cantons of Switzerland and participates in federal lawmaking, budgetary approval, and election of members to federal authorities such as the Federal Council (Switzerland), the Federal Supreme Court of Switzerland, and the Swiss Federal Audit Office. Meetings take place in the Federal Palace, Bern and its proceedings interact with major parties like the Swiss People's Party, the Social Democratic Party of Switzerland, and the FDP.The Liberals.
History
The chamber's origins trace to the drafting of the Swiss Federal Constitution of 1848 after the Sonderbund War and the need to reconcile interests of former cantonal confederacies such as Zurich, Bern, and Geneva. Early sessions were shaped by figures like Guillaume-Henri Dufour, Friedrich Frey-Herosé, and Jakob Stämpfli and influenced by European models including the United States Senate and the German Bundesrat (pre-1871). Reforms in the Swiss Federal Constitution of 1874 and subsequent cantonal electoral law changes adjusted representation, while 20th-century developments involved responses to events including World War I, the Great Depression, and debates during the European Free Trade Association and European Economic Area negotiations. Late 20th- and early 21st-century shifts followed campaigns led by groups linked to Green Party of Switzerland, Christian Democratic People's Party of Switzerland, and Swiss Democrats.
Composition and electoral system
The chamber comprises 46 members: two representatives from each of the 20 full Cantons of Switzerland and one from each of the six historical half-cantons such as Obwalden and Nidwalden. Seats are filled by popular vote under cantonal electoral laws, with majorities decided by systems like absolute majority runoffs in Zurich or proportional lists in cantons that permit them such as Basel-Stadt and Geneva. Terms align with the four-year cycle of the Federal Assembly of Switzerland; eligibility and candidacy rules engage cantonal authorities like the Cantonal Council of Bern and electoral commissions in Vaud and Ticino. The chamber's composition often reflects local elites from institutions such as the University of Zurich, Ecole Polytechnique Fédérale de Lausanne, and professional associations like the Swiss Bar Association.
Powers and functions
The chamber shares legislative authority with the National Council (Switzerland), participating in passage of federal statutes like the Swiss Civil Code and federal budgets that affect agencies including the Swiss Federal Railways and the Swiss National Bank. It holds exclusive roles in some elections, contributing to selection of the Federal Council (Switzerland) and impeachments relevant to the Federal Supreme Court of Switzerland. The chamber conducts oversight over federal administration, engaging with ministries such as the Federal Department of Finance (Switzerland) and the Federal Department of Foreign Affairs (Switzerland), and it deliberates on international treaties including accords with the European Union and conventions under the United Nations. In judicial-administrative interactions it can summon officials from bodies like the Federal Department of Justice and Police (Switzerland) or request reports from the Swiss Federal Audit Office.
Parliamentary groups and party representation
Members organize into parliamentary groups reflecting parties such as the Swiss People's Party, Social Democratic Party of Switzerland, FDP.The Liberals, The Centre (political party), and the Green Party of Switzerland. Group composition affects committee assignments for panels like the Finance Committee, the Legal Affairs Committee, and the Foreign Affairs Committee, which liaise with external actors including the European Court of Human Rights and the Organisation for Security and Co-operation in Europe. Cross-party coalitions often involve figures from cantonal parties like Christian Democratic People's Party of Switzerland affiliates in Valais or Fribourg, and membership overlaps with civic organizations including the Swiss Trade Union Federation and chambers such as the Swiss Chamber of Commerce.
Procedures and sessions
Sessions are convened in the Federal Palace, Bern with a permanent President elected annually; procedural rules derive from the Parliamentary Procedures of Switzerland and standing orders influenced by precedents from sessions in 1848. Regular sessions occur in spring and autumn, while extraordinary sessions may be summoned by the United Federal Assembly (Switzerland) or the Federal Council (Switzerland)]. Committees prepare dossiers on legislation, budgets, and international treaties; plenary debates follow rules comparable to other upper houses such as the Council of the European Union deliberations. Voting employs roll-call and secret ballots where required by law for elections to bodies like the Federal Supreme Court of Switzerland.
Relationship with the National Council
The chamber functions as the smaller chamber in the Federal Assembly of Switzerland, balancing the population-based representation of the National Council (Switzerland)]. Bills normally require concurrence in both chambers and conflicts are resolved in a conference committee mechanism similar to bicameral reconciliation practices found in the Parliament of Canada and the United States Congress. The two chambers jointly elect federal authorities including the Federal Council (Switzerland) and the Federal Chancellor of Switzerland. Interactions also occur through joint committees and the joint session known as the United Federal Assembly (Switzerland) held for key elections and oath-taking ceremonies.
Notable members and historical decisions
Prominent past and present members include statesmen such as Ulrich Ochsenbein, Nicolas de Flue (historical figure associated with Swiss unity), Eveline Widmer-Schlumpf, Christoph Blocher (though primarily associated with the National Council (Switzerland)), and Max Petitpierre whose roles intersected with events like the League of Nations debates and negotiations leading to treaties including postwar accords. The chamber has influenced landmark decisions such as approval of the Swiss Federal Constitution of 1999 revisions, budgetary choices affecting the Swiss Armed Forces, acceptance of bilateral agreements with the European Union in the 1990s and 2000s, and oversight inquiries during political controversies involving figures from Cantonal Governments and federal departments. Its members have also steered reforms in areas tied to institutions such as the Swiss National Bank and national initiatives that reached national referendums like those surrounding neutrality and bilateral treaties.