Info
Electoral Systems
ES001
Head of State
Question: How is the Head of State selected?
Answer(s):
a . Head of State is the Head of Government d . Indirectly elected by legislature
Comments: The head of state in Switzerland is the entire Federal Council (Government) composed of seven members elected by the Federal Assembly after each general election to the National Council for a four-year term. The chair of the Federal Council is the President of the Confederation. He/she is elected by the Federal Assembly. It is forbidden to be President of the Confederation two consecutive years or to be Vice-president immediately after having been President. The President of the Confederation in Switzerland is therefore not the Head of State himself but only the President of the Government who has to prepare and to conduct its meetings.
Since 1848, the President of the Swiss Confederation has never made official State visits to another country; and if the Head of another State makes a State visit, then he will be received by the whole Government.
Source: Constitution, Art. 174, 175, 176, 177, 178, 179, 184: https://www.admin.ch/opc/en/classified-compilation/19995395/201506140000/101.pdf (2015)
Verified: 2025/03/28
ES002
Head of Government
Question: How is the Head of Government selected?
Answer:
c . Indirectly elected by legislature/chosen by parliament
Comments: The Federal Council is the supreme governing and executive authority of the Confederation and as a collective organ is the head of state and the head of government. It is composed of 7 members, out of whom one is elected to be the President of the Confederation. The President of the Confederation chairs the Federal Council. The President and the Vice-President of the Federal Council are elected by the Federal Assembly from the members of the Federal Council for a term of office of one year.
Source: Constitution, Art. 174, 175, 176, 177, 178, 179, 184: https://www.admin.ch/opc/en/classified-compilation/19995395/201506140000/101.pdf (2015)
Verified: 2025/03/28
ES003
President
Question: Does the country have a president?
Answer:
a . Yes
Comments: The President of the Confederation chairs the Federal Council, which is the supreme governing and executive authority of the Confederation.
Source: Constitution, Art. 176: https://www.admin.ch/opc/en/classified-compilation/19995395/201506140000/101.pdf (2015)
Verified: 2025/03/28
ES004
Number of Chambers
Question: The national legislature consists of (one/two chambers):
Answer:
b . Two chambers
Comments: The Federal Assembly is the supreme authority of the Confederation, comprising of two chambers: the National Council and the Council of States - both of equal standing.
Source: Constitution, Art. 148: https://www.admin.ch/opc/en/classified-compilation/19995395/201506140000/101.pdf (2015)
Verified: 2025/03/28
ES005
Electoral System (Chamber 1)
Question: What is the electoral system for Chamber 1 of the national legislature?
Answer(s):
g . List Proportional Representation
Comments: The National Council is composed of 200 representatives of the People, elected directly by the People according to a system of proportional representation. A general election is held every four years. Each canton constitutes an electoral constituency and seats are allocated to the Cantons according to their relative populations. Each Canton has at least one seat.
Source: Constitution, Art. 149 (2): https://www.admin.ch/opc/en/classified-compilation/19995395/201506140000/101.pdf (2015)
Verified: 2025/03/28
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