The Federal Assembly: Switzerland's Parliament – Swiss Citizenship Test
The Swiss Federal Assembly (Bundesversammlung/Assemblée fédérale/Assemblea federale) is Switzerland's parliament and legislative branch. It consists of two chambers: the National Council representing …
The Swiss Federal Assembly (Bundesversammlung/Assemblée fédérale/Assemblea federale) is Switzerland's parliament and legislative branch. It consists of two chambers: the National Council representing the people, and the Council of States representing the cantons. This bicameral system ensures that both popular will and cantonal interests are considered in federal legislation. The Federal Assembly makes laws, elects the Federal Council, approves the budget, and oversees the government. Understanding parliament is crucial to understanding Swiss democracy.
The National Council: Representing the People
The National Council (Nationalrat/Conseil national/Consiglio nazionale) has 200 members elected directly by the people for four-year terms. Seats are distributed among cantons proportionally based on population. Larger cantons like Zürich have many seats (36), while small cantons like Uri have only one or two. National Council elections use proportional representation, meaning parties win seats in proportion to their vote share. Elections happen every four years on the last Sunday in October. The National Council represents the Swiss people as a whole. Its debates are conducted in German, French, and Italian with simultaneous translation, reflecting Switzerland's multilingual nature.
The Council of States: Representing the Cantons
The Council of States (Ständerat/Conseil des États/Consiglio degli Stati) has 46 members representing the cantons. Each of the 20 full cantons has 2 seats, and each of the 6 half-cantons has 1 seat, for a total of 46 members. This gives equal representation to cantons regardless of population—tiny Appenzell Innerrhoden has the same representation as populous Zürich. Council of States members are elected by their cantons for four-year terms. Election methods vary by canton. The Council of States ensures that small cantons have a strong voice in federal legislation, preventing large cantons from dominating. Both chambers must approve legislation for it to pass.
Legislative Process
The legislative process in Switzerland involves both chambers and the people. A bill can be introduced in either the National Council or Council of States. Both chambers must approve the bill in identical form for it to become law. If the chambers disagree, they negotiate until consensus is reached or the bill fails. Once parliament passes a law, citizens can challenge it through a referendum if they collect 50'000 signatures within 100 days. If a referendum is called, the people vote on whether to accept or reject the law. This means parliament doesn't have final say—the people do. This referendum right makes Swiss parliament less powerful than parliaments in most other countries.
Electing the Federal Council
One of the Federal Assembly's most important powers is electing the Federal Council. Every four years, shortly after parliamentary elections, both chambers meet together as the United Federal Assembly to elect or re-elect the seven Federal Councillors. Each Federal Councillor is elected individually by secret ballot. The magic formula and various informal rules guide these elections, but the Federal Assembly has the final say. Federal Councillors almost always get re-elected, providing governmental continuity. However, when a position opens due to retirement or resignation, the election can be contentious. The Federal Assembly also elects the Federal Chancellor (the government's chief of staff) and federal judges.
Parliamentary Sessions
Unlike many countries where parliament meets year-round, the Swiss Federal Assembly operates as a militia parliament (Milizparlament). Members are not full-time professional politicians—they maintain other careers and meet for parliamentary sessions several times per year. Four regular sessions of about three weeks each are held annually (March, June, September, December). During sessions, parliament debates and votes on legislation, budgets, and other matters. Outside of sessions, members work in parliamentary committees that prepare legislation. This militia system means Swiss parliamentarians remain connected to regular life and professions, though it also means they have limited time for parliamentary work.
Relationship with the Federal Council
The relationship between the Federal Assembly and Federal Council is different from most parliamentary systems. In most countries, the government (executive) relies on parliamentary majority support and can fall if it loses a vote. In Switzerland, the Federal Council is elected for four years and cannot be removed during its term, regardless of parliamentary votes. Parliament can reject government proposals, but this doesn't cause the government to resign. This creates a stable but also rigid system. The Federal Council must negotiate and compromise with parliament but doesn't fear being voted out. This encourages consensus politics—the government must work with parliament rather than commanding a loyal majority.
The Swiss Federal Assembly meets in the Federal Palace (Bundeshaus/Palais fédéral) in Bern, an impressive building completed in 1902. Every Tuesday when parliament is in session, the public square in front of the Federal Palace hosts a vegetable and flower market. This juxtaposition—farmers selling vegetables literally on parliament's doorstep—perfectly symbolizes Swiss democracy's connection to ordinary life. You can watch parliamentary debates from the public gallery, and the building offers guided tours when parliament isn't in session. The Federal Palace dome features a stained glass window showing the Swiss coat of arms and cantonal shields, representing Swiss federalism.
Remember the Federal Assembly structure: Bicameral (two chambers). National Council: 200 members, represents people, proportional representation by population, elected every 4 years. Council of States: 46 members, represents cantons, 2 per full canton + 1 per half-canton (equal regardless of population). Both chambers must approve laws. Powers: legislate, elect Federal Council, approve budget, oversee government. Citizens can challenge laws via referendum (50'000 signatures). Militia parliament (part-time, four 3-week sessions annually). United Federal Assembly (both chambers together) elects Federal Council.