Politics of Switzerland

Political System of Switzerland

Politisches System der Schweiz (German)
Système politique de la Suisse (French)
Sistema politico della Svizzera (Italian)
Sistem politic da la Svizra (Romansh)
Polity typeSemi-direct democratic federal republic
ConstitutionConstitution of Switzerland
Legislative branch
NameFederal Assembly
TypeBicameral
Meeting placeFederal Palace, Bern
Upper house
NameCouncil of States
Presiding officerEva Herzog, President of the Council of States
AppointerPopular vote
Lower house
NameNational Council
Presiding officerEric Nussbaumer, President of the National Council
AppointerPopular vote
Executive branch
Head of state
TitlePresident of the Confederation
CurrentlyViola Amherd
AppointerFederal Assembly
Cabinet
NameFederal Council
LeaderPresident
Deputy leaderVice President
AppointerFederal Assembly
HeadquartersFederal Palace
Ministries7
Judicial branch
NameJudiciary of Switzerland
Federal Supreme Court
SeatFederal Courthouse, Lausanne

The government of Switzerland is a federal state with direct democracy.[1]

For any change in the constitution, a referendum is mandatory (mandatory referendum); for any change in a law, a referendum can be requested (optional referendum). In addition, the people may present a constitutional popular initiative to introduce amendments to the federal constitution.

The people also assume a role similar to the constitutional court, which does not exist, and thus act as the guardian of the rule of law. According to the V-Dem Democracy indices, Switzerland was in 2023 the most participatory democratic country in the world.[4]

The Economist Intelligence Unit rated Switzerland a "full democracy" in 2022.[5][needs update] According to the V-Dem Democracy indices, Switzerland was in 2023 the 4th most electorally democratic country in the world.[4]

Cantonal and municipal politics vary in the different cantons, which may have different systems.

  1. ^ "Political system". www.eda.admin.ch. Retrieved 21 January 2024.
  2. ^ "The Federal Assembly (Parliament)". www.eda.admin.ch. Retrieved 21 January 2024.
  3. ^ "The Federal Council". www.eda.admin.ch. Retrieved 21 January 2024.
  4. ^ a b V-Dem Institute (2023). "The V-Dem Dataset". Retrieved 14 October 2023.
  5. ^ Democracy Index 2023: Age of Conflict (PDF). Economist Intelligence Unit (Report). 2024. Archived (PDF) from the original on 9 June 2024. Retrieved 22 July 2024.