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Chapter

Political System: Federal Structure

Federal Council, Federal Assembly, Federal Tribunal, separation of powers

Part of the complete Swiss citizenship test prep at einbuergerungstests.ch.

  • 4 lessons
  • 45 questions
  • ~81 minutes
  • Aligned to the federal 2026 test
  • All 26 cantons covered
  • German · French · Italian · English
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What you'll learn

The Federal Council: Switzerland's Executive

A brief preview from the first lesson of this chapter.

Switzerland's executive branch is unlike most other countries. Instead of a single president or prime minister, Switzerland is governed by a seven-member Federal Council (Bundesrat in German, Conseil fédéral in French, Consiglio federale in Italian). This collective executive makes decisions together, with no member holding more power than others. The Federal Council embodies Swiss political values: consensus, power-sharing, and collegiality. Understanding the Federal Council is essential to understanding how Switzerland is governed.

Election of Federal Councillors

Federal Councillors are elected by the Federal Assembly (both chambers of parliament together) for four-year terms. Unlike most democracies, Swiss citizens do not directly elect the Federal Council. Once elected, Federal Councillors typically serve for many years—it's common for them to serve 8-12 years or more. Federal Councillors rarely resign or are voted out; the position is considered stable and long-term. This continuity provides governmental stability and expertise. At the start of every new legislative term, following each general election to the National Council, the Federal Assembly re-elects the entire Federal Council (Art. 175 of the Constitution). If a member steps down mid-term, a successor is elected for the remainder of the term. The Federal Assembly always votes by secret ballot.

Sample questions

Sample questions

Five example questions from this chapter — with answers, explanations, and official sources.

01Easy

You are reading about Switzerland's government structure. How many people serve as Federal Councillors, making decisions together as a team?

  • AFive
  • BSeven
  • CTwelve
  • DNine
Correct answer
Seven
Explanation
Switzerland has seven Federal Councillors who govern together as a team. Each councillor heads one federal department but major decisions are made collectively by all seven. This system prevents power concentration and ensures diverse viewpoints are considered.

Source: Official

02Easy

A friend from abroad asks you how the Swiss Federal Council is elected. You explain that Federal Councillors are chosen by:

  • AThe Federal Assembly (parliament), not by direct popular vote
  • BThe Swiss people in a direct national election
  • CThe sitting Federal Council members themselves
  • DThe cantonal governments
Correct answer
The Federal Assembly (parliament), not by direct popular vote
Explanation
Federal Councillors are elected by the Federal Assembly, which consists of both chambers of parliament. This indirect election system means citizens do not vote directly for Federal Councillors. The Federal Assembly always votes by secret ballot.

Source: Official

03Medium

During a discussion about Swiss politics, you hear about 'collegiality.' What does this principle mean for the seven Federal Councillors?

  • AThe President can overrule decisions made by other councillors
  • BThey must all unanimously agree on every decision before it can be made
  • CThey must all publicly support Council decisions, even if they disagreed during internal discussions
  • DEach councillor makes independent decisions for their own department
Correct answer
They must all publicly support Council decisions, even if they disagreed during internal discussions
Explanation
Collegiality means that once the Federal Council makes a decision by majority vote, all seven members must support it publicly. Councillors may disagree during internal debates but present a unified front afterward. This ensures government cohesion and prevents public infighting.

Source: Official

04Medium

Your colleague asks if the Swiss President has more power than other Federal Councillors. You correctly explain that:

  • AThe President commands the Swiss armed forces alone
  • BThe President can veto decisions made by the other six councillors
  • CThe President has mostly ceremonial duties with no additional decision-making power
  • DThe President appoints and removes other Federal Councillors
Correct answer
The President has mostly ceremonial duties with no additional decision-making power
Explanation
The Swiss President has almost no additional power beyond the other six councillors. The role is primarily ceremonial—chairing meetings and representing Switzerland abroad. The President cannot make unilateral decisions, veto others, or command the military alone.

Source: Official

05Hard

You are learning about how Switzerland's different language regions are represented in the Federal Council. What is the typical informal arrangement?

  • AEqual numbers from all four language regions (2 each)
  • BGerman-speaking councillors hold the majority, with at least two of the seven seats going to French- and Italian-speaking Switzerland
  • CAll councillors must speak all four national languages fluently
  • DOnly German-speaking councillors are allowed
Correct answer
German-speaking councillors hold the majority, with at least two of the seven seats going to French- and Italian-speaking Switzerland
Explanation
The Constitution requires only that the country's regions and language regions be appropriately represented — it sets no quota. By unwritten convention at least two of the seven seats, preferably three, go to Latin-speaking Switzerland, while the German-speaking majority holds the rest. In 2026 four members are German-speaking, two French-speaking and one Italian-speaking.

Source: Official

All lessons in this chapter

All lessons in this chapter

Full access in Premium — every lesson, every question, with progress tracking.

  1. 01

    The Federal Council: Switzerland's Executive

    20 minFull access

  2. 02

    The Federal Assembly: Switzerland's Parliament

    22 minFull access

  3. 03

    The Federal Tribunal: Switzerland's Judiciary

    18 minFull access

  4. 04

    Federalism: Division of Powers in Switzerland

    21 minFull access

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