The Swiss Confederation a Brief Guide

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The Swiss Confederation a brief guide

2021

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Preface

“Democratic proce- Dear Reader Political developments in recent years show that not every dures take longer, but country has to remain democratic just because it once was. In fact, democratic processes are increasingly being called provide more stability into question because they allegedly produce ‘the wrong outcome’. Reference is made to lower COVID-19 case num- and engender greater bers in authoritarian states or to higher economic growth rates. Some peevishly ask whether the urgent problems of acceptance in the long today can ever be resolved through lengthy democratic term.” procedures and compromises.

Federal Chancellor Walter Thurnherr Those who argue in this way have not understood the es- sence of democracy. There are countries where the government controls the people. And there are countries where the people control the government. Democracies fall under the second category.

It is true that even authoritarian regimes sometimes make decisions that are supported by the majority. But there are no rules defining how the majority can overturn decisions if they no longer agree with them. Democratic procedures take longer, but over the years, they provide more stability and engender greater acceptance.

Those who want to preserve democracy respect the institutions, the independence of the courts, the competences of the different powers and the fundamental values of the constitution.

If you would like to gain a better understanding of Switzer- land’s style of democracy, you will gain an initial overview by browsing through this copy of ‘The Swiss Confederation – a brief guide’. And if you want to defend it, exercise your right to vote and stand for election!

Federal Chancellor Walter Thurnherr

3 Table of Contents

Facts Foundation Switzerland Direct democracy 6 16

•The history of Switzerland 10 •Separation of powers 20

•Federalism 12 •Votes 22

•International agreements •Elections 24 and memberships 14 •Political parties in the Federal Council and in Parliament 26

Complementary resources to accompany the brochure: • CH info app for smartphones and tablets • Teaching material • Barrier-free PDF for the visually impaired

4 The Legislature The Executive The Judiciary Parliament The Government The Courts 28 46 72 Switzerland

•The roles of Parliament 32 •The Federal Council 50 •The Federal Supreme Court 76

•Organisation of Parliament 34 •The Federal Council’s tasks 52 •The Federal Criminal Court 78

•Particularities of Parliament 40 •Federal Administration 54 •The Swiss Federal Democracy Administrative Court 79 •How new laws come about 42 •Federal Chancellery FCh 56 •Federal Patent Court 80 •The Parliamentary Services 45 •Federal Department of Foreign Affairs FDFA 58 •Judgments delivered by the federal courts 81

•Federal Department Parliament of Home Affairs FDHA 60

•Federal Department of Justice and Police FDJP 62

•Federal Department of Defence, Civil Protection and Sport DDPS 64 Government

•Federal Department of Finance FDF 66

•Federal Department of

Economic Affairs, Education Courts and Research EAER 68

•Federal Department of the Environment, Transport, Energy and Communications DETEC 70

5 Switzerland The people of Switzerland get the day off thanks On 1 August, Switzerland celebrates its National to a popular initiative from 1993 ‘for a national Day. Beacon fires are lit around the country that holiday on 1 August’, adopted after 84 % of voters can be seen for miles around. came out in favour.

Switzerland 8 Geneva 26 cantons 26 the world.the of states by all recognised is today. neutrality Its Switzerland shape yet still past, the in roots have their federalism and Multilingualism communes. or authorities local ofnumerous consist and pendent inde largely are which cantons, 26 and regions 4language has It Switzerland is a small country with a population of 8.6 million people. people. million of 8.6 apopulation with country asmall is Switzerland Switzerland www.statistik.ch Vaud Vaud Neuchâtel Neuchâtel Fribourg Fribourg Jura Jura Valais Valais BS Bern Bern BS SO SO BL BL Lucerne Lucerne Aargau Aargau OW OW BS BL AR AI BS BL AR AI NW NW

Zug Zug Basel-Landschaft Basel-Stadt Appenzell Ausserrhoden Appenzell Innerrhoden Basel-Stadt Basel-Landschaft Appenzell Ausserrhoden Appenzell Innerrhoden SH SH Zurich Zurich Uri Uri Schwyz Schwyz Ticino Ticino Glarus Glarus Thurgau Thurgau St St

Gallen Gallen AR AR

AI AI Graubünden Graubünden SO SH OW NW SO SH OW NW

Nidwalden Solothurn Schaffhausen Obwalden Solothurn Schaffhausen Obwalden Nidwalden - Germany (14 The largestforeign nationalgroups are from Italy(15 of theforeign populationcomesfrom anEUcountry. have beenlivinghere foratleasttenyears.Themajority these foreign nationalswere inSwitzerlandor eitherborn ter ofthemwithoutaSwisspassport.More thanhalfof There are 8.6millionpeoplelivinginSwitzerland,aquar million people 8.6 26 3 5 6 24 26 36 36 3 3 % 5 % 6 % 24 two mainChristiandenominations,Protestants and several years.Thereligious landscapeischanging:the gious affiliation; thisnumberhasbeenontherisefor tant, 47 was affiliated toChristiandenominations(49 Catholics, are declining.In1970, 96 to theChristianfaith.26 percentofpeoplelivinginSwitzerlandclaimaffiliation66 majority Christian

% % %

% %

% % %

o-ws iies215000 000 175 175 Non-Swiss citizens2 Non-Swiss citizens2 Roman Catholic Other denominations Islamic Other Christiandenominations Reformed Protestant Catholic Roman No religious af Other / Islamic denominations Other Christiandenominations Protestant Reformed No religious affiliation

% Catholic).

Not Not specified

%) andPortugal(12 specified filiation

% statethattheyhavenoreli

%).

% ofthepopulation

% Protes

%),

- - -

Men 23 23 Men languages, i.e.theyare bilingual. languages. Manypeoplestatethattheyhavetwomain their mothertongueisnotoneofSwitzerland’s national 0.5 percentRomansh.For25 percentofthepopulation, German, 23 percentFrench, 8percentItalianand percentofthepopulationprimarilyspeak (Swiss-) 62 languages are German,French, ItalianandRomansh. Switzerland isamultilingualcountry. Thefournational languages 4 national 20 years of age and 20 to 64 yearsofagehasdeclined. 20 yearsofageand20 to64 the populationhasincreased, whilethatofpeopleunder average. Theproportion yearsofagein ofpeopleover64 yearsforwomen.Womenand 86 have1.5 children on is oneofthehighestinworld:it82 yearsformen have fewerchildren thanbefore. Average lifeexpectancy People inSwitzerlandare gettingolderand expectancy life High

% %

French French 8 8 8 %

Age Age 100 100 90 60 80 90 30 60 30 80 50 20 20 50 40 40 70 70 10 10 Italian Italian 0 0 62 62 %

German German 0.5 0.5 %

2019 2019 Romansh Romansh Women Women

1950 1950

Switzerland Switzerland The History of Switzerland 10 emerged victorious. war from whichliberalforces conservative cantons.Itwasa between liberalandCatholic organised ledtoacivilwar Confederation wouldbe Diverging viewsonhowthe conservatives 848 Liberals against Sonderbund War 1847 we today. know state federal the to finally and ofstates to aconfederation alliances different of acollection from centuries over developed the Switzerland of Switzerland History The diversity havediversity increased significantly. powersthe of federal the government, political rights and political then Since of 1848. Constitution Federal to the back dates system and recognisedestablished internationally in 1815. Its political

–

1 1848 judicial andeconomicarea. developed intoaunitary centralised. Switzerland Council. Somepowerswere of StateselectingtheFederal National Counciland duced atfederallevelwiththe bicameral systemwasintro- vote andbeelected.The doms, includingtherightto with variousrightsandfree provided mostcitizens(men) The FederalConstitution state Democratic federal Constitution Federal Its national borders and neutrality were andIts neutrality national borders - 1891. ( 1891. and thepopularinitiativein dum wasintroduced in1874 at federallevel.Thereferen broadened democraticrights andthe federalgovernment tion transferred more tasksto The revised FederalConstitu- Initiative, referendum Expanded democracy 1891 1874, ➝ p.22) - ed inageneralstrike1918. Russian Revolutionculminat- and socialistideasfrom the during theFirstWorld War Poverty andunemployment 18 Socialist ideas General strike War, World First 1914

–

19 1929. entered theFederalCouncilin zens’ Party(SVPtoday) Farmers’, Trades’ andCiti- Council. Amemberofthe today) entered theFederal Conservative (CVP/DieMitte basis andasecondCatholic was electedonaproportional In 1919, theNationalCouncil democracy Towards consensus representation Proportional 1929 1919, territorial conquests. through alliancesand tion continuedtogrow ing centuries,theConfedera- mented alliance.Inthefollow entered intothefirstdocu Schwyz andUnterwalden original forest cantonsof Uri, independence. In1291 the political order andexternal served tomaintaininternal cities andoutlyingareas Shifting alliancesbetween Alliances Old Confederation 1291

- - ( bers from fourpoliticalparties Council hascomprisedmem- Since 1959, theFederal seat ontheFederalCouncil. wing partygainedasecond ment, andin1951 theleft- - Social Democratintogovern Parliamentelecteda1943 moved closertogether. In cal forces from lefttoright Second World War, thepoliti Against thebackdrop ofthe 45 left the of Inclusion War World Second 1939 state ruledfrom Paris. Helvetic Republic:aunitary was transformedintothe in 1798, theConfederation Following theFrench invasion foreign control under state Unitary Republic Helvetic 1798 ➝ ‘magic formula’p.51).

– –

1802 19 - cantonal borders. tons andsetmostofthe some autonomytothecan of Mediation,whichrestored constitution basedontheAct Republic, Napoleonordered a supporters oftheHelvetic between federalistsand After civilwarsbroke out 14 Loose foreign control Mediation 1803 sion. the votefollowingthisdeci communes alsogavewomen level. Mostcantonsand women’s franchiseatfederal male, votedinfavourofthe electorate, thenexclusively In February1971, ofthe 66% Women’s franchise Equal opportunities 1971

–

18 - - eration ofstates. alliances intoasingleconfed gether thevariousfederal Treaty of1815 brought to as theyare today. TheFederal and setSwitzerland’s borders recognised Swissneutrality the great European powers With thedefeatofNapoleon, states of alliance and Neutrality Treaty Federal 1815 Nations. (➝ favour ofjoiningtheUnited years latertheyvotedin and theEuropean Union.Two ments betweenSwitzerland approved thebilateralagree- Swissvoters tons. In2000, Confederation andthecan- division oftasksbetweenthe Constitution regulated the The totallyrevised Federal openness and Continuity Constitution Third Federal 2000 p.14/15)

- - 11

Switzerland The History of Switzerland Switzerland Federalism 12 lives inurbanareas. percentofthepopulation85 federal tax. federation isfinancedamongother meansthrough direct Court isresponsible fornationaljurisprudence. TheCon prises sevenfederalcouncillors,andtheFederalSupreme com Council andtheofStates;government ment, theFederalAssembly, ismadeupoftheNational road network,andnuclearenergy. Switzerland’s Parlia relations withtheoutsideworld,defence, thenational tasks andresponsibilities. Theseinclude Switzerland’s The FederalConstitutiondefinestheConfederation’s since 1848. Swiss Confederation,hasbeenafederalstate Switzerland, whichisalsoreferred toasthe 1 Confederation federal government, cantons the communes. and the the between power shared is state state: afederal is Switzerland Federalism characteristics. regional varying and cultures linguistic offour spite –in entity one as to exist for Switzerland makes possible it Federalism ties. responsibili their out carrying in scope have broad communes and

revenues. the Confederation’s total tax accountfor31 percentof Proceeds from direct federal 26 26 beneficiaries. utors and19 cantonsare net and 7cantonsare netcontrib tion plan,theConfederation In thenationalfiscalequalisa Cantons taxes. and policematters.Eachcantonleviesitsowncantonal in theareas ofeducationandhealthcare, culturalaffairs in decidinghowtomeettheirresponsibilities, forexample dance withtheirparticularneeds.Theyhavebroad scope the Confederation,butstructure their activities inaccor Constitution. Thecantonsimplementtherequirements of The cantonalconstitutionmaynotcontradicttheFederal courts andconstitution. Each cantonhasitsownparliament,government, cantons. The Confederationismadeupof26

- - The cantons cantons The rhoden andGlarus. cantons ofAppenzellInner gemeinde) are stillheldinthe People’s assemblies(Lands-

- - sibilities betweenitselfandthecommunes. Each cantondetermineshowitallocatesrespon cantonsare dividedinto2172The 26 communes. 2172 2172 of Zurich). approximately 415,000 (City thelargestpopulation of28, (Kammersrohr, SO) hasa The smallestcommune munal tax. at communalassemblies.Eachcommuneleviesacom smaller communes,decisionsare made bythecitizens parliaments, andorganisetheirownreferendums. In service. Largercommunesandcitieshavetheirown planning, runningschools,socialwelfare andthefire The responsibilities ofthecommunesinclude local Communes

assemblies. ical issuesatcommunal eligible votersdecideonpolit- In fouroutoffivecommunes,

- Video Federalism (the ‘SwissAbroad’). zens liveoutsideSwitzerland 11 percentofallSwissciti Confederation total numberofcommunes. year, thereby reducing the communesmerge30 every An averageofapproximately Communes canton ofUri. times higherthaninthe Stadt isapproximately three capita inthecantonofBasel- Gross domesticproduct per Cantons Canton ofBasel-Stadt (in German) Canton ofUri

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Switzerland Federalism Switzerland International agreements and memberships 14 •Since 1951 (formerlyECSC,EEC) •Headquarters inBrussels •27 memberstates tion onasylumproceedings. operation onjusticeandpolice.Dublinfacilitatescoordina Schengenfacilitatestransnationalmobilityandco 2005. agreement, whichwasapproved by55 There are 9agreements, includingtheSchengen-Dublin fields ofasylum,security, theenvironment andculture. further economicaspects,aswellcooperationinthe The secondseriesofbilateralagreements ments automaticallyceasetoapply(‘guillotineclause’). terminated bySwitzerlandortheEU,other6agree consist of7agreements. Ifoneoftheseagreements is the packagewasapproved by67 access forbothsides(goods,services,labour).In2000, economic matters.Themainaimistofacilitatemarket The firstseriesofbilateralagreements eral agreements primarilyconcludedintwopackages: tions withit.Theseare byaround governed 20 majorbilat Switzerland isnotamemberoftheEU,buthascloserela European Union EU Agreements the with Europe memberships and agreements International are held there allthetime. conferences andgatherings work there. International officials international 32,000 based inGeneva.Around organisations (NGOs)are tions andnon-governmental organisaMany international - Geneva International

% ofSwissvoters.They

% ofvotersin largely governs governs - - - - - or exercise protective power mandates. That iswhy itisoften asked to mediate in conflicts Switzerland’s neutrality isrecognised worldwide. of theEEAin1992. Economic Area (EEA).Swissvotersrejected membership countries –excludingSwitzerlandformtheEuropean and Norway. Together withtheEUcountries,EFTA between itsmembersSwitzerland,Liechtenstein,Iceland The European Free Trade Associationpromotes free trade EFTA Memberships in armed conflicts orenter in Switzerland isaneutral state: itmay not take part Neutrality •Founded in1949, Switzerlandamembersince1963 •Headquarters inStrasbourg •47 memberstates pean CourtofHumanRightsinStrasbourg. Human rightsviolationscanbebrought before theEuro agreement istheEuropean ConventiononHumanRights. rights, theruleoflawanddemocracy. Itsmost important The CouncilofEurope isdedicatedtoprotecting human Europe of Council Switzerlandafoundingmember •Founded in1960, •Headquarters inGeneva •4 memberstates

to militaryallian ces. -

Founded in 1945, Switzerlandamembersince1949 •Founded in1945, •Headquarters inParis •193 memberstates and sustainabledevelopment. among peopleandthereby contribute topeace,security ment ofglobalstandards. Itsaimistopromote solidarity cooperationandthedevelop a forumforinternational Organisation, alsoactiveinthefieldofcommunication,is The UnitedNationsEducational,ScientificandCultural UNESCO •Founded in1975, Switzerlandafoundingmember •Headquarters inVienna •57 participatingstates ports thereconstruction ofpoliticalstructures. It mediatesbetweenpartiesinvolvedinconflictandsup It takesmeasures topromote peaceandresolve conflicts. Asia, istheworld’s largestregional securityorganisation. with itsparticipatingstatesinNorthAmerica,Europe and The OrganizationforSecurityandCooperationinEurope, OSCE Switzerlandamembersince2002 •Founded in1945, and Vienna •Main headquartersinNewYork, European headquatersinGeneva •193 memberstates dum, accessionwasacceptedby55 has beenamemberoftheUNsince2002: Inareferen down intheCharterofUnitedNations.Switzerland solving globalproblems. TheprinciplesoftheUNare laid ted topromoting peaceandworldwidecooperationin All 193 statesoftheworldbelongtoUN.Itiscommit United Nations Memberships World connections: worldwide with country aneutral is Switzerland meet in Geneva to work together internationally. world from politicians and the around Experts organisations. tional interna other and Nations United ofthe amember is it and ments, agree ofbilateral anetwork through Union European the with ties

% ofSwissvoters. - - - - trade relations. dertake tocomplywithcertainbasicrulesinshapingtheir and non-discriminatoryaspossible.WTOmembersun agreements istoensure that tradeisasfree, unhindered global tradeingoodsandservices.TheaimoftheWTO The World Trade Organizationpromotes andregulates WTO •Founded in1961, Switzerlandafoundingmember •Headquarters inParis •37 memberstates statistics andstudies,includingthePISAstudies. national standards andregularly publishesinternational of lifeandequalopportunities.TheOECDdevelopsinter variety offields.Itsgoalistopromote prosperity, quality opment isaforumforexchangingknowledgeinwide The OrganisationforEconomicCooperationandDevel OECD Switzerlandafoundingmember •Founded in1995, •Headquarters inGeneva •164 memberstates •Founded in1949 •Headquarters inBrussels members •30 tries, itworksforsecurityandpeace. North Americancountries.Together withpartnercoun Europeanpolitical andmilitarydefenceallianceof30 and and theEuro-Atlantic PartnershipCouncil. NATO isa with itwithintheframeworkofPartnershipforPeace Switzerland isnotamemberofNATO, butcooperates Peace for NATO Partnership Partnerships it has has it ------15

Switzerland International agreements and memberships Direct democracy 2021 marks the 50th anniversary of Swiss women At the women’s strike in 2019, hundreds of obtaining the right to vote and be elected at thousands took to the streets to demand equal federal level. And it is 40 years since gender equal- pay, better work-life balance and an end to ity was enshrined in the Federal Constitution. sexism.

16 17 Democracy 18 Direct democracy rights as in Switzerland? have democratic many as people where country other any there Is principle of Swiss democracy. ofSwiss principle afundamental is this party: political or person single ofany hands the in power not concentrated is that ensures ofpowers separation The elections. parliamentary are ayear. there times years four Every www.ch.ch/democracy People vote on specific issues three to four to four three issues votePeople specific on • • Voters havevariouswaysofcastingtheirballots: Casting yourballot women andmennormallyvoteinfederalelections. Turnout issimilarinelections:justunder 50 lower dependingontheissuethatisbeingvotedon. ballots infederalvotes.Voter maybehigheror turnout Usually around 45 Turnout forvotesandelections verifiable systems. system stabilityusingfully phase inorder to increase being revised forthenexttrial The rulesone-votingare e-voting hasbeensuspended. e-voting. Currently, however, 15 yearsofexperiencewith cantons nowhavemore than The Confederationandthe E-voting

in theballotboxatlocalpollingstation. At theballotbox: council offices. official envelopeorpopitinthemailbox attheirlocal By post:voterssendtheirballotpaperbypostinthe

% ofthoseeligibletovotecasttheir voterscanputtheirballotpaper Swiss democracy. assembly isanancientformof their canton.Thepeople’s decide onproposals thataffect their representatives andto gemeinde). Theyvotetoelect a people’s assembly(Lands- doors onceayeartovotein thousand votersgatherout- Appenzell Innerrhoden,several In thecantonsofGlarusand (Landsgemeinden) People’s assemblies

% ofSwiss

demand thatavotebeheldonpoliticalissue. popular initiativeorcallingforareferendum, citizenscan every amendmenttotheConstitution.Bylaunchinga The Swissare worldchampionsatvoting:theyvoteon votes Popular cil) andthejudiciary(courts). the legislature (Parliament),theexecutive(FederalCoun Power isdividedamongthethree branchesoftheState, ofpowers Separation

L egi Voting today Voting sla tu re

Branch

i c

t i v e - FDP Around 5.5 millionpeopleare eligibletovote. and theycanstandascandidatesforpublicoffice. Swiss citizensaged18 andoverhavetherighttovote to elected vote to be Right and level –neitherinParliamentnortheFederalCouncil. range ofparties,nonewhichhasamajorityatfederal Switzerland’s politicallandscapeishometoadiverse ofparties range A wide The Centre The EVP The Greens The GLP SVP SP Others 19

Democracy Democracy Separation of powers 20 Separation of powersSeparation The Swiss people = 10,000 people 10,000 Parliament legislatureThe the CouncilofStates.the CouncilofStates. members of members ofCouncil andthe46 Council andthe46 membersoftheNational membersoftheNational The 200 The 200 Parliament (thelegislature):Parliament (thelegislature): The SwisspeopleelecttheThe Swisspeopleelectthe Assembly. (➝ equal powers.Together they makeuptheUnitedFederal States represents the26 cantons.The twoCouncilshave Council represents thePeople,whileCouncil of Switzerland. Itcomprisestwochambers:TheNational federal courtsandtheOfficeGeneralof oftheAttorney al CouncilandtheFederalAdministrationaswell Parliament decidesonnewlawsandoverseestheFeder Passing laws p.30ff.) Council ofStates Council ofStates National Council National Council -

Federal Chancellor.Federal Chancellor. Federal Councilandthe Federal Councilandthe The sevenmembersoftheThe sevenmembersofthe (the executive): (the executive): the governmentthe government Parliament electsParliament elects institution. or person individual ofany hands ofpower the in aconcentration prevents ofpowers separation The of the three branches of state at any given time. given any at ofstate branches three of the one than more serve may one No judiciary. executive and legislature, the ofstate, branches three the among power divided is democracy: Implementing laws Implementing The government executiveThe ( Federal Chancellerymakeupthe FederalAdministration. lor headsadepartment.Theseven departmentsandthe they reach theirdecisionstogether. EachFederalCouncil are implemented.Itcomprisessevenequal members; up newlawsandensures thatthedecisions ofParliament The FederalCouncilisSwitzerland’s itdraws government: ➝ p.48ff.)

FDJP

DETEC

DDPS

FDFA

FDHA

FDF

EAER - of thefourfederalcourts. of thefourfederalcourts. SupremeSupreme Courtandthejudges Courtandthejudges The presidentThe president oftheFederal oftheFederal judges (thejudiciary): judges (thejudiciary): Parliament appointstheParliament appointsthe be appealedtotheFederalSupreme Court.( federal courtsoffirstinstance. Mostoftheirdecisionscan Administrative CourtandtheFederal PatentCourtare the in mostcases.TheFederalCriminalCourt,the ments oftheothercourtsandissuesfinaljudgment Federal Supreme Court:ithearsappeals againstthejudg There are four federal courts.Thehighestcourtisthe law the down Laying courts The judiciary The It is a basic principle of of principle abasic is It www.attorneygeneral.ch out theirofficial duties. federal employeeswhilecarrying well asoffences committedby explosives andespionageas prosecutes offences involving General ofSwitzerland,which heads theOffice oftheAttorney General:heorsheAttorney Parliament alsoappointsthe www.attorneygeneral.ch out theirofficial duties. federal employeeswhilecarrying well asoffences committedby explosives andespionageas prosecutes offences involving General ofSwitzerland,which heads theOffice oftheAttorney General:heorsheAttorney Parliament alsoappointsthe ➝ 74ff.)

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Democracy Separation of powers Democracy Votes 22 havebeenaccepted. then. 22 havebeenvotedonsince220 duced atfederallevelin1891. Popular initiativeswere intro- 18 months. valid signatures mustbecollectedwithin aperiodof tion. Foravotetobeheldonpopularinitiative,100,000 launch orsignapopularinitiativetoamendtheConstitu Anyone whohastherighttovoteinSwitzerlandcan Popular initiative democracy ofdirect Instruments must beputtoavote In Switzerland,everyamendmenttotheConstitution Constitution the Changing tive amendments. indecisions, most cases having or legisla to doconstitutional with parliamentary certain on and initiatives popular Votes on held are ayear. times to four up issues political on decides electorate The Votes may casttheirballotsinfederalvotes. Swiss citizensaged18 andoverare eligibletovoteand a doublemajorityisachieved. zerland canonlyjoinsuchanorganisationorcommunityif supranational community(e.g.theUNorEU).Swit land tojoinanorganisationforcollectivesecurityora majority). Apopularvoteisalso‘mandatory’forSwitzer the cantons(majorityofcantons)isneeded consent ofamajoritythePeople(popularmajority)and For anewconstitutionalarticletocomeintoforce, the or putforward bypopularinitiative. er theproposed amendmentwaspassedbyParliament vote ofthePeople proposals submittedtothe YouTube videos on (mandatory referendum) –wheth

vote. were ready tobeputa Council orParliament,and3 pending before theFederal ture-gathering stage,15 were initiatives were atthesigna 11As of31 December2020,

(double

- - - - - into force (simplemajority). voters mustapprove thelaworreferendum forittocome law ortreaty inquestionisputtoavote.Amajorityof If theyare successful,areferendum isheldinwhichthe dum againstit tional treaty, thoseeligibletovotemayrequest areferen If Parliamentpassesanewlaworapproves aninterna to anew law astop Putting cantons (‘referendum requested bythecantons’). optional referendum isalsohelduponrequest byeight validsignatures within100 days.Anmust collect50,000 to votecanlaunchanoptionalreferendum. To doso,they stop anewlawfrom passing),anyone who hastheright To bringadecisionmadebyParliamenttovote(e.g. Optional referendum November 28 Septemberand 26 7 March, 13 June, in 2021: place onthefollowingSundays Votes are scheduledtotake votingdates 2021 by voters. the proposals were rejected ofbeen heldsincethen;82 introduced in1874. 196 have The optionalreferendum was (optional referendum).

• • • • • Information 4 proposals. being gathered foravoteon decrees. Signatures were federalactsandning for45 referendum periodwasrun- theAs of31 December2020,

Explanatory videos www.ch.ch/en/demokratie www.admin.ch ‘VoteInfo’ app voters sent byposttoeligible Explanatory pamphletsare

- - - • • • have amajorimpact: stopped byareferendum, thesetwoinstrumentscanstill Even ifmostinitiativesfailandonlyveryfewlawsare referendums and initiatives of Effects Number ofpeopleentitledtoplayapartinpoliticallifeasproportion oftheoverallpopulation

initiative’s inadifferent concerns way. make counter-proposals toinitiatives,address the The FederalCouncilandParliamentwillsometimes drafting ofnewlaws( launch areferendum are takenintoconsiderationinthe They caninfluencelegislation:groups thatare likelyto involve. They leadtopublicdiscussionsonthetopicsthey can triggerapopularvoteonnewlaw(‘optionalreferendum’)can triggerapopularvoteonnewlaw(‘optionalreferendum’) • can triggerapopularvotetoamendtheConstitution(‘popularinitiative’) can triggerapopularvotetoamendtheConstitution(‘popularinitiative’) • on averagetakepartinvotes(aroundon averagetakepartinvotes(around 45 45 have therighttovote(i.e.arehave therighttovote(i.e.are atleast18 atleast18 yearsoldandhaveaSwisspassport) yearsoldandhaveaSwisspassport) • people liveinSwitzerland people liveinSwitzerland • • 50,000 100,000 2,475,000 5,500,000 8,600,000 50,000 100,000 2,475,000 5,500,000 8,600,000

 page42/43).

% ofeligiblevoters) % ofeligiblevoters)

rial manufacturers’. a banonfinancingwarmate Federal PopularInitiative‘For by thecantons) of thePeople,butrejected (child deductions). Act onDirect FederalTaxation Amendment totheFederal 51.9 Birds (HuntingAct). tection ofWildMammalsand Act ontheHuntingandPro Amendment totheFederal 61.7 (Limitation Initiative). ‘For moderateimmigration’ Federal PopularInitiative September 27 57.5 no (acceptedby50.7 Business Initiative). environment’ (Responsible tecting humanrightsandthe responsible businesses–pro- Federal PopularInitiative‘For November 29 2020 Votes in held 63.1 orientation). crimination basedonsexual Criminal Code(banondis Criminal CodeandtheMilitary Amendments totheSwiss 57.1 ‘More affordable homes’. Federal PopularInitiativefor 9 February mouth disease. in 1951, becauseoffoot-and- oncein19201848: andagain land becameafederalstatein been cancelledsinceSwitzer Only twoothervoteshave the coronavirus pandemic. Federal Councilbecauseof vote wascancelledbythe In ahistoricdecision,this 17 May 50.1 Aircraft. curement ofnewFighter Federal Decree onthePro 60.3 leave). ty Leave(paternity on MilitaryServiceorMaterni forPersonsLoss ofEarnings Act onCompensationfor Amendment totheFederal 63.2

% no % % no % % no % % no % % yes % % yes % % yes % no %

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Democracy Votes Democracy Elections 24 22 October2023 22 States willbeheldon most cantons)theCouncilof to theNationalCounciland(in tober 2019. Thenextelections elections were heldon20 Oc The mostrecent federal Dates the guide,whichisalsoavailableonline. than oneseatintheNationalCouncil.Everyvoterissent the official ballotpaperscorrectly incantonswithmore An electionguideexplainshowtocompleteandreturn Election guide party orlistreceives. are allocatedinproportion tothenumberofvoteseach based onasystemofproportional representation: seats Elections totheNationalCouncilinmostcantonsare basedElections representation on proportional National Council(righttobeelected). cil (righttovote),theycanalsostandforelectionthe only cantheyvoteforthemembersofNationalCoun Swiss citizensovertheageof18 are eligibletovote:not elected be to and vote to Right in allcantons. The provisions oftheFederalActonPoliticalRightsapply Elections totheNationalCouncilare federalelections. Council National to the Elections Elections Elections to the Federal Assembly are held every four years. years. four every held are Assembly Federal to the Elections parties from which to choose. which from parties of range awide from ofcandidates number have They views. alarge their represent best that ofparliament members 246 the to elect aim to vote? to vote? Who hastheright Youtube –

- (in German) vote? How doyou Youtube –

- be atleast18 yearsoldandholdSwisscitizenship. and candidatesforelectiontotheCouncilofStatesmust tions totheCouncilofStatesare heldeveryfouryears the followingrulesare thesameinall26 cantons:elec dure isandhowballotpapersare completed.However, to vote,whenelectionsare held,whattheelectionproce tonal law:eachcantonhasitsownrulesonwhoiseligible Elections totheCouncilofStatesare bycan governed States of Council to the Elections ble tovoteincertaincantons. system applies.Swisscitizenslivingabroad are onlyeligi tion isused,whileintheothercantonssimplemajority Jura andNeuchâtel,asystemofproportional representa the electionstoNationalCouncil.Incantonsof Landsgemeinde’), whichisalwaysheldintheAprilbefore of theCouncilStatesatanoutdoorassembly(‘the InAppenzellInnerrhoden,voterselecttheirmember65. dates fortheCouncilofStatesmustbeunderage can alsovoteinelectionstotheCouncilofStates.Candi In thecantonofGlarus,Swisscitizensaged16 and17 Examples of cantonal differences • • receives themostvotesiselected. are basedonthesimplemajoritysystem:personwho Elections totheCouncilofStatesinalmosteverycanton basedElections on the simple majority system

than anyoftheothercandidatesiselected. Relative majority:thepersonwhoreceives more votes half ofallthevotescastiselected. Absolute majority:thepersonwhoreceives more than (in German) National Council Elections tothe Election guide

elections 2019 www.ch.ch/ Voters Voters

------called onto vote specificproposals. In the on 33 theelectorate and2019, was the electionsin 2015 Parliament orthegovernment. However, between Even in Switzerland mostissues are decidedby Elections are decisive Party strengths (shares ofthevoteinelectionstoNationalCouncil2019) same period,Parliamen elected thegovernmen federal federal actsand 94 decrees. Italso ing 134 federal courts and theAttorney General. 32 32 20 20 28 28 24 24 16 16 12 12 0 0 % 4 % 8 % 0 4 8 % %

% % % %

% % % % % % % % % 1991 1991 CVP FDP CVP FDP SP SP SVP SVP 1995 1995 t, themembersof t, t

passed 464 laws,passed 464 includ BDP GLP BDP GLP (LDU, EVP, CSP) Small centristparties (LDU, EVP, CSP) Small centristparties 1999 1999

2003 2003

• • mean? What does‘left-wing’ on therole ofthestate,societyandeconomy referendums. Partiesdiffer from eachotherintheirviews candidates forpublicoffice andlaunchinitiatives Political partieshelptoformpoliticalopinion,nominate CVP) willcooperatewitheitherleftorright-wingparties. issue, centre parties(e.g.‘TheCentre’, previously the values (e.g.same-sexpartnerships).Dependingonthe organisations,andissuesregardinginternational liberal how openSwitzerlandshouldbetowards theEUand right-wing, i.e.environmental protection, thequestionof sibility. Certainpoliticalissuesare neitherdistinctlyleftnor advocate aliberaleconomicpolicyandpersonalrespon developed socialstate,right-of-centre parties(FDP, SVP) Whereas left-wingparties(SP, theGreens) favourahighly the role ofthestate,societyandeconomy. from others.Theydiffer from eachotherintheirviews on number ofpartiestochoosefrom, someverydifferent In theelectionstoSwissparliament,there are quitea to right left from Parties • •

interests Emphasis onworkers’ levels socialdisparities A strong socialstatethat military More peacepolicy, less services Price controls, public The Greens The Greens EàG, etc.) parties (PdA,alternative Small left-wingandgreen EàG, etc.) parties (PdA,alternative Small left-wingandgreen 2007 2007 2011 2011 • mean? What does‘right-wing’ • • •

absolutely necessary intervenes onlywhere responsibility; thestate Freedom andpersonal Strong nationaldefence incentives Free enterprise,economic interests Emphasis onemployers’ Others Others (Lega, MCR,EDU,etc.) Small right-wingparties (Lega, MCR,EDU,etc.) Small right-wingparties 2015 2015 2019 2019 - 25

Democracy Elections Democracy Political parties in the Federal Council and in Parliament 26 National Council Federal Council vote the of Share Marco Chiesa Party President Swiss People’s Party SVP – 4 seats,whiletheCVPlost2seats. Federal Councilalsolostseats:theSPandFDPboth National Council.Theotherpartiesrepresented inthe most seats–12 inall–itremains thestrongest partyinthe 17 seatsandtheglp9seats.AlthoughSVPlost made thelargestgains:TheGreens wonanadditional At the2019 federalelections,thetwoecologicalparties Council. Federal the in four of States, Council the in represented also are Five ofthose Council. National legislature period, eleven are represented in the political parties level. federal at amajority holds none of which Switzerland’s political landscape comprises many parties, different Council in and Parliament Federal in the Political parties * Share ofthevoteat2019 parliamentaryelections(‘party strength’) www.svp.ch States of Council

25.6 53

% 6 2 Co-Presidents Cédric Wermuth Meyer Mattea Democratic Party SP –SwissSocial www.sp.ch States of Council National Council Federal Council vote the of Share

16.8

% 9 2

FDP.The Liberals FDP – parliamentary groups (➝ convictions cometogetherin Parties withsimilarpolitical Petra Gössi Petra Party President www.fdp.ch States of Council National Council Federal Council vote the of Share

15.1 In the 2019 the In p.36). 29 12

% 2 www.die-mitte.ch States of Council National Council Federal Council vote the of Share Gerhard Pfister Party President The Centre**

–

2023 2023

* 13.8

28 13

% 1

** *

One of the 46 members oftheCouncilStatesdoesnotbelong toapoliticalparty.One ofthe46 www.lega-dei-ticinesi.ch States of Council National Council Federal Council vote the of Share vacant Party President www.gruene.ch States of Council National Council Federal Council vote the of Share Glättli Balthasar Party President Lega deiTicinesi LdT – Swiss Green Party The Greens –

E I

I C I N E S I

* *

13.2 0.8 28

% % 5 0 0 1 0 www.pda.ch States of Council National Council Federal Council vote the of Share Gavriel Pinson Party President www.gruenliberale.ch States of Council National Council Federal Council vote the of Share Jürg Grossen Party President Swiss Workers’ Party PdA – Liberal Party glp –SwissGreen

* *

0.8 7.8 16

% % 0 0 0 1 0 Marianne Streiff-Feller Party President Pierre Vanek Party President Ensemble àGauche EàG cal People’s Party EVP –SwissEvangeli www.evppev.ch States of Council National Council Federal Council vote the of Share www.eag-ge.ch States of Council National Council Federal Council vote the of Share

* *

0.3 2.1

% % 0 3 0 0 1 0 - Democratic Union EDU –Federal Daniel Frischknecht Daniel Party President www.edu-schweiz.ch States of Council National Council Federal Council vote the of Share BDP CVP No. ofNationalCouncilseats BDP CVP Share ofthevote achieved thefollowingresults: At the2019 elections,theparties known as‘TheCentre’ from 1.1.2021. and theBDP, thenewpartywillbe ** Followingthemerger oftheCVP

3 25 2.4 11 .4

1.0

% 0 1 0 27

Democracy Political parties in the Federal Council and in Parliament The Legislature Parliament At the beginning of September 2020, plastic The screens, which can be dismantled (once the screens were put up around the desks in the pandemic is over), have also been installed in National Council chamber to protect against the Council of States chamber and in various COVID-19. conference rooms in the Parliament Building.

The Legislature Parliament

Parliament passes laws and elects the members of the federal government and the federal courts. It is responsible for the federal budget and exercises oversight over the Federal Administration. Parliament is elected by the People. It consists of two chambers: the National Council and the Council of States. The National Council represents the people of Switzerland; the Council of States represents the 26 cantons. Each chamber has the same powers, and they conduct the same business. When sitting together in joint session, they constitute the United Federal Assembly. www.parliament.ch The LegislatureThe Parliament

The home of Swiss political life The seat of Switzerland’s parliament is the Parliament Building in Bern. It was built between 1894 and 1902 according to plans drawn up by Hans Wilhelm Auer, and was inaugurated by the United Federal Assembly on 1 April 1902.

The architect had the aim of creating a national monu- ment. 95 % of the materials used were sourced within Switzerland; contracts were awarded to 173 Swiss firms and 38 Swiss artists were able to leave their mark in the Parliament Building for posterity. Naturally, Auer was careful to ensure that all of the cantons were represented when awarding the contracts.

The whole building is a reminder that Switzerland is a nation founded on the will of its people, in which different cultures, different linguistic areas and different geographi- Video about Parliament – ‘Erklär cal regions have come together of their own free will to mir das Parlament’ (in German) form a political, national entity.

30 Members in the National Council Strength of parliamentary and the Council of States groups

Centre group The Green Liberals FDP

SVP The Greens

200 members of the National Council National Council

Centre group FDP SP

SVP The Greens

46 members of the Council of States Council of States The LegislatureThe

Age groups in the Swiss Women and men in Parliament population and in Parliament Parliament

CSNC CS NC CS NC CSNC

% of the population% in Parliament WomenMen

31 The roles of Parliament

Parliament is responsible for enacting legislation, releasing funding, electing the members of the highest federal authorities and overseeing the Federal Council, the Federal Administration and the federal courts.

Legislation Election of federal authorities

Parliament enacts legislative provisions in the form of The National Council and the Council of States come federal acts or ordinances. Amendments to the Federal together for elections to form the United Federal Assem- The roles of Parliament of roles The Constitution must be put to the vote of the People and bly, which elects the members of the federal government the Cantons. and the federal courts and, if necessary, appoints a general. During the winter session, it elects one member of The Federal Constitution Ordinances the Federal Council as president of the federal govern- forms the bedrock of the complement the acts. The ment, and another as vice president, each for a one-year Swiss Confederation. The Federal Council and the People and the Cantons are departments enact most of mandate. The United Federal Assembly also elects the

Parliament the gatekeepers of the Con- the ordinances, which are Federal Council’s chief of staff, also known as the Federal stitution. Parliament can draft issued without the participa- Chancellor, and the Attorney General of Switzerland. amendments to the Federal tion of Parliament. In the case Constitution, but must put of an important ordinance, the them to the vote of the People relevant parliamentary com- 2019 Federal Council elections and the Cantons (➝ mandato- mittee may request that a During the last Federal Council elections in December ry referendum, p. 22). People draft text be submitted for 2019, Parliament – meeting as the United Federal Assem- can launch a popular initiative consultation. Ordinances are bly – re-elected all the members of the Federal Council. to amend the Constitution not subject to referendums. (➝ p. 22). After gaining over 10 % of the votes for the first time in the October 2019 parliamentary elections, the Green Party Federal acts was able to put its own candidate on the ballot. The formulate in detail the provi- Green Party ran against the FDP, however the FDP federal sions of the Constitution. They are enacted by Parlia- councillors Karin Keller-Sutter and Ignazio Cassis were ment, but are subject to an able to hold on to their seats after being re-elected by an optional referendum (➝ p. 22): absolute majority. The newly elected Federal Council If 50,000 eligible voters or eight cantons request a therefore remained unchanged (➝ p. 50). referendum, the act is submitted to the People for a vote. A majority of voters must approve the act for it to come into force.

32 Legislative provisions are enacted in the form of federal acts and ordinances. The The technical term for the Swiss parliament is remaining decrees are ‘federal ‘Federal Assembly’. Article 148 of the Federal decrees’. Referendums are required only for a small Constitution reads, for example: “Subject to the number of federal acts. Sim- rights of the People and Cantons, the Federal ple federal decrees and Assembly is the supreme authority of the Confed- ordinances cannot be stopped by a referendum. eration.” In the 50th legislature period (2015 – 2019) Parliament enacted 464 decrees:

134 federal acts

Budget control and oversight 94 federal decrees

Parliament has sovereignty over federal finances: it deter- mines the budget for the following year, takes note of the Federal Council’s budget and approves the state ac- Parliament of roles The counts of the previous year. Parliament votes on the budget during the winter session. The items of business move quickly from one chamber to the other. In the event that the National Council and the Council of States are unable to reach an agreement on the federal budget, the 226 simple federal decrees lower amount is accepted. The finance and control com- Parliament mittees and their delegations are in charge of overseeing the Federal Budget. They check the work of the Federal Council, the Federal Administration and the federal courts, and thereby also examine the effectiveness of these authorities.

Federal revenues and expenses: p. 48 / 49

10 ordinances

Video about the roles of the Federal Assembly (in German)

33 Organisation of Parliament

The Swiss parliament consists of two chambers: the National Council and the Council of States. The National Council represents the Swiss population, while the Council of States represents the 26 cantons. The two Councils have equal powers: All items of business are handled both by the National Council and the Council of States. The Councils must agree on all items of business before their decisions can come into force.

The large chamber is the The small chamber is the National Council Council of States

Organisation of Parliament of Organisation The National Council represents the people living in Swit- The Council of States has 46 seats and represents the zerland. It has 200 seats. Cantons with a larger popula- cantons. Twenty cantons have two seats, and six cantons tion have more seats. Each canton is entitled to at least have one seat. The six cantons with only one seat were one seat. Each member of the National Council repre- until 1999 listed as ‘half cantons’ in the Federal Constitu- sents around 42,000 people. The National Council is also tion. They are Obwalden and Nidwalden, Appenzell Ausser known as the ‘large chamber’ or the ‘people’s chamber’. rhoden and Appenzell Innerrhoden, and Basel-Stadt and Basel-Landschaft. The size of a canton’s population is not Parliament President of the National Council for 2021 a determining factor in its number of seats in the Council of Every year, a different member acts as president of the States. The canton of Uri, which has a comparatively small National Council. Andreas Aebi (SVP) will preside over the population, has the same number of two seats as does the National Council in 2021. The president plans and directs populous canton of Zurich. This system balances out the National Council deliberations, heads the Council Office voting power of the populous cantons in the National and represents the National Council externally. Council. The Council of States is often referred to as the ‘small chamber’ or the ‘chamber of the cantons’. Election based on proportional representation National Council elections are held every four years in President of the Council of States for 2021 most cantons on a proportional basis. This means that Every year a different member acts as president of the the seats held by a canton are distributed among the Council of States. Alex Kuprecht (SVP) will preside over the different political parties based on the votes they receive. Council of States in 2021. The president plans and directs This makes it possible for smaller political forces to be the Council of States deliberations, heads the Council represented in the people’s chamber. Office and represents the Council of States externally.

National Council elections schedule Election based on the simple majority system The next elections will be held in October 2023. Council of States elections are held every four years, in most cantons at the same time as the National Council elections. Council of States elections are almost always based on the simple majority system. This means that the candidate who receives the most votes is elected. The cantons decide individually when and how they elect their representatives to the Council of States. Video of the most important bodies of the Federal Council of States elections schedule Assembly (in German) The next elections will be held in April or October 2023.

34 President of the National Council 2020/21 Andreas Aebi, Bern Swiss People’s Party

What priorities have you set for your year as president?

My aim is promote cohesion, confidence and a zest for life. In times of crisis such as these, there needs to be solidarity between young and old, between the country’s different regions, and between people working in different sectors, as not everyone has been affected by the pandemic to the same Alongsideextent. your work as a member of parliament, you are also a farmer, auctioneer and tour operator. How do you manage to fit it all in?

I’ve managed well for 30 years. I have a great wife, a wonderful family and a good circle of friends. And as a former battalion commander in the Swiss army, I have learned the art of how to organise systematically. It’s The United Federal Assembly certainly a great advantage that I live very close to Bern and don’t have a long commute. The National Council and the Council of States convene as the United Federal Assembly to handle specific items of business. The United Federal Assembly elects the mem- Parliament of Organisation bers of the federal government and the Federal Supreme Court, the Federal Chancellor, and the Attorney General of Switzerland. It also meets to take note of statements made by the Federal Council, and rule on conflicts of jurisdiction. President of the Council of States 2020/21 Alex Kuprecht, Schwyz Parliament Swiss People’s Party Sessions The National Council and the Council of States meet for What will you set out to achieve during your year as three-week sessions in spring, summer, autumn and winter president? to deliberate and rule on items of business. The two chambers meet separately, but under the same roof of the Parlia- ment Building in Bern. Council Office, parliamentary group My aim will be to try to stimulate the special culture and committee meetings take place in-between sessions. in the Council of States. In the Council of States, we conduct our debates through reasoned argument based on facts in

Schedule of sessions for 2021 Election oft the presidents of order to reach the best solution. We should continue to Spring session: the National Council and of carefully foster and uphold virtues such as giving careful 1 – 19 March the Council of States: consideration to the long-term interests of the state. In doing Summer session: 29 November so, we serve as a valuable counterpoint to the more party-po- 31 May – 18 June Autumn session: Election of the President of litical and very often personal interest-driven nature of 13 September – 1 October the Swiss Confederation and Wherebusiness do in you the seeNational Switzerland Council. in five years’ time? Winter session: the vice president of the 29 November – 17 December Federal Council: 8 December Special session (if required): Well, I hope that COVID-19 is no longer with us. Beyond that, I 3 – 6 May The meetings are open to the think that we need to work on our relations with the public. The debates are European Union. I hope that Switzerland can retain its broadcast live on the Parlia- independence in the coming years. We have to position ment website, and published after around an hour as a ourselves economically, socially and culturally, so that in five verbatim report with a video to ten years’ time we will be able to say that Switzerland is in the Official Bulletin: where we want to live. www.parliament.ch

35 Political parties and

parliamentary groups Debates in the Councils Despite the fact that the two Eleven parties are represented in Parliament, none of Councils have the same which holds a majority ( p. 26). There are five parties rights, there are clear differences – not least because of that each make up 10 % or more of the seats in the their difference in size. In the Federal Assembly (SVP: 24 %, SP: 20 %, FDP: 17 %, The National Council, debates are Centre: 15 % and The Greens: 13 %). These parties are all more rigourously regulated, represented in the Federal Council, with the exception of and speaking time is restrict- ed. Members of the National the Green Party, which gained over 10 % of the votes for Council wishing to express an the first time in the 2019 parliamentary elections. Howev- opinion must step up to the er, parliamentary groups all have greater clout than the lectern to do so, while mem- parties in the parliamentary process. bers of the Council of States may speak from their seats and are not subjected to Parliament is divided politically into six parliamentary speaking restrictions. During groups. They are made up of Council members of the Council of States debates, same party or ofparties with similar views. Even members everyone may take the floor. This leaves more room for of small cantonal parties or independents tend to join a spontaneity. parliamentary group. At least five members are needed to form a parliamentary group.

In the National Council, membership of a parliamentary group is particularly important, as it is a prerequisite to be The parliamentary groups are important for the granted a seat on a committee. The more members a formation of political opinion. They discuss parliamentary group has, the more seats they are entitled important items of Council business with the aim to on committees, and the greater the influence they have of agreeing on a common position, which can be in Parliament. In the Council of States, parliamentary supported by the Council members in the chamber groups play a less important role. and before the media and the general public. Organisation of Parliament of Organisation Parliament

National Council chamber Council of States chamber

Parliamentary group President Composition / party Total NC CS

Group of the Swiss People’s Party Thomas Aeschi 59 SVP, 1 Lega, 1 EDU, 62 55 7 1 independent

Social Democratic Group Roger Nordmann 48 SP 48 39 9

Centre group (The Centre-EVP) Andrea Gmür- 41 The Centre, 3 EVP 44 31 13 Schönenberger

FDP.The Liberals Group Beat Walti 41 FDP.The Liberals 41 29 12

Green Group Aline Trede 33 The Greens, 1 PdA, 1 EàG 35 30 5

Green Liberal Group Tiana Angelina Moser 16 GLP 16 16 0

36 Allocation of seats in the National Council Organisation of Parliament of Organisation

Allocation of seats in the Council of States Parliament

SVP SP Centre group FDP.The Liberals

The Greens www.parliament.ch – Who sits where? GLP (in German)

37 parliamentary groups political parties

specialist committees supervisory committees per Council per Council Organisation of Parliament of Organisation

Committees and delegations

The full Parliament is made up of 246 members. It would Supervisory committees be difficult for so many people to deliberate an item of Each chamber has two supervisory committees: one to

Parliament business. This is why initial discussions on all items of oversee federal finances and the other to examine the business take place in committees, which hold their business of other federal authorities (Finance Committees meetings in camera. National Council committees com- and Control Committees). The most rigorous means of prise 25 members each, while those in the Council of parliamentary oversight is the Parliamentary Investigation States comprise 13 members. There are different types of Committee (PInC). Only four PlnCs have ever been ap- committees: pointed in the history of Switzerland, the last one in 1996.

Specialist committees Delegations The National Council and the Council of States have nine Delegations are composed of members of both cham- committees that deal with specific areas. They discuss bers. Three delegations perform supervisory functions; items of business related to their specific area and stay six delegations represent the Swiss parliament in interna- up-to-date on any relevant social and political develop- tional parliamentary assemblies; and five additional dele- ments. gations are in charge of fostering relations with foreign parliaments. Specific areas: • Legal affairs • Security policy • State policy • Economy and taxes • Social security and healthcare • Science, education and culture • Transport and telecommunications • Environment, spatial planning and energy • Foreign policy Zimmer 286, a film about the work of the parliamentary committees (in German)

38 Procedural requests tabled by each Council member

2020

Parliamentary instruments

Members of the Federal Assembly, parliamentary groups and committees can initiate measures, propose new legislation and request information or reports. These procedural requests are generally addressed to the Fed- eral Council.

• Members of the Federal Assembly, parliamentary groups and committees can table a parliamentary initiative to propose draft legislation. If both Councils agree, a committee will draw up the draft legislation. 2019

• A motion is used to instruct the Federal Council to draft legislation (an act or an ordinance) or to take a specific measure. A motion must be approved by both Coun- cils.

• A postulate is used to instruct the Federal Council to examine and report whether a new law should be drafted or measures taken. A postulate is accepted if a Council agrees to it. Parliament of Organisation Before a motion or a postulate is submitted to the Council, the Federal Council puts forward a recommen- 2018 dation. The procedural requests recommended for adoption are expedited. The recommendation is pre- pared by the relevant department. Parliament • An interpellation is a request to the Federal Council for information on important incidents in Switzerland and abroad, and on federal government matters. The Fed- eral Council’s response is then sometimes discussed in the Council of States and, in the case of urgent inter- pellations, also in the National Council.

• Questions are used to request information from the Federal Council. The Federal Council answers ques- 2010 tions in writing. They are not dealt with in the Council. Urgent questions must be answered by the Federal Council in the same session.

• During question time in the National Council, Council members can ask the Federal Council questions on current issues. The questions must be submitted in writing one week in advance and will be answered orally by the responsible head of department. 2000

39 Particularities of Parliament

Shifting majorities Two councils with equal powers Several parties are represented in Parliament, none of which holds a majority. Parliament does not have a lasting In many countries, parliament is unicameral. In Switzer- majority nor a permanent opposition, as is the case in land, Parliament has two chambers – the National Council many other countries. Majorities are built on the basis of and the Council of States – which have exactly the same the issues and depending on which parties agree on an powers and responsibilities. The two chambers deal with issue. the same business in the same way. They must agree on all points for a bill to come into force, and must use the same wording to adopt legislation. So approval by only one chamber is not enough. It often takes time for the Particularities of Parliament of Particularities National Council and the Council of States to reach an agreement. Parliament

Semi-professional Parliament

The members of the Swiss parliament are not full-time politicians. Part-time politicians bring hands-on expertise to debates due to their professional activities, and they are more grounded and accessible to the People. Howev- Resolution of differences er, Council members spend more and more time on their parliamentary work, some even full-time. This gives Swit- In the event that the National Council and the Council of zerland a mixture of part-time and full-time politicians. States are unable to reach an agreement on an item of business, the business is sent from one chamber to the other for a resolution of differences, where it is examined by the preliminary consultation committees. If the Nation- al Council and the Council of States are still not in agreement about the business after three rounds, a reconcilia- tion conference is held. Without agreement on the business, it is abandoned. (➝ p. 43)

40 Three official languages

Parliament deliberates and legislates in the Confedera- tion’s three official languages: German, French and Italian. During National Council sessions, simultaneous interpre- tation into the two other official languages is provided for all member statements. Multilingualism reflects the respect for minorities, which is the basis for living together Voting recommendations in Switzerland. Every statement is published in the language in which it was submitted in the Official Bulletin. Popular votes are held regularly in Switzerland. Parlia- ment and the Federal Council provide voting recommendations on each proposal in an explanatory pamphlet that is sent to eligible voters before the vote. The pamphlet is also available online. Particularities of Parliament of Particularities Parliament

Stability

The government and Parliament are elected for a period of four years, and cannot be dissolved. Parliament’s decisions are not an expression of confidence or no confidence in the government. Parliament can send back, The People have the last word amend or reject draft legislation, without the government having to step down. This gives Parliament a strong posi- In Switzerland, it is not Parliament that has the last word, tion. In addition, Parliament is the only body at national but the electorate. In addition to the right to vote, eligible level that is directly legitimised by the People. voters have two options for directly influencing national politics: • Referendums (➝ p. 22) • Popular initiatives (➝ p. 22)

41 How new laws come about

Enacting new legislation takes time and consists of several stages. Many different actors are involved in the legislative process. Only once they have all shared their views, and the National Council and the Council of States agree on the wording of the law can the Federal Council bring the law into force. And, of course, only once the People have given their approval.

Parliament How new laws come about

7 7 The Federal Council and Consultation in the first chamber (e.g. the National

Parliament the Federal Administration Council) The first chamber has three options: it may consider the law to be superfluous and 1 1 request that it not be enacted; Impetus it can reject the text and It is the Federal Council or instruct the Federal Council or Parliament that gives the 4 the committee concerned to impetus (in the form of a 4 revise it; or it can discuss the parliamentary initiative, a Draft legislation law in detail and make a motion or a postulate ➝ p.p. 39)39) Department X prepares the decision. preliminary draft law and 5 for a new law. The cantons 5 adapts it on the basis of the may also request a new law Federal Council Dispatch results of the consultation 6 (cantonal initiative). The Federal Council examines 6 procedure. It then submits the the bill and sends it to Parlia- Preliminary examination by bill to the Federal Council. 2 ment. the committee of the first 2 chamber Preliminary draft 3 The presidents of the National The Federal Council instructs 3 Council and the Council of Department X to draw up Consultation procedurproceduree States decide whether the bill a preliminary draft for a law. Department X submits the is dealt with first in the Na- All departments and federal preliminary draft to the Feder- tional Council or in the Coun- offices are consulted on this al Council, which initiates the cil of States. A committee of preliminary draft (office con- consultation procedure. The the first chamber discusses sultation procedure). consultation procedure allows the text and submits a pro- all citizens, cantons, com- posal to its Council (first munes, political parties, chamber). (Committees ➝ federations, trade unions, p. 38). associations, churches and interest groups to comment on the preliminary draft.

42 Milestones in national legislation 1919• System of proportional representation for the National Council elections 1948• OASI (Old Age and Survivors’ Insurance) 1971• Women’s right to vote 2000• Complete revision of the Federal Constitution 2000• Switzerland’s bilateral agreements with the EU 2002• Switzerland’s accession to the UN

Swiss voters

Parliament 14 16 Optional referendum Entry into force 13 The law adopted by Parlia- If the majority of voters Final vote in the first and ment is brought back to the approve the new law, the How new laws come about 8 second chambers People for a vote. The People Federal Council can bring Preliminary examination The jointly reached agreement have the last word (Referen- it into force. by the committee of the is put to a final vote in the dum ➝ p. 22). If a referendum second chamber National Council and the is not sought within 100 days, The committee of the second Council of States. Parliament the Federal Council may bring chamber discusses the text votes in favour of the new law. the law into force. approved by the first chamber and submits a proposal to its Parliament 12 15 Council (second chamber). Conference of conciliation Popular vote In the event of unresolved If a referendum is launched 9 differences between the against the law, the law will Consultation in the second National Council and the be put to the vote of the chamber (e.g. Council of Council of States after three People. States) rounds, a conference of The second chamber has the conciliation is held. The same options as the first conference is composed of chamber: request to not enact members of the preliminary the law, rejection of the text; consultation committees who or point by point deliberation work together to find an and making a decision. agreement. The agreement is then submitted to the first chamber, and then to the 10 second chamber. Resolution of differences in the first chamber If the decisions of the Nation- 11 al Council and the Council of Resolution of differences States differ, a procedure for in the second chamber the resolution of differences is After discussing and voting initiated. The committee of on this proposal, the prelimi- the first chamber makes a nary consultation committee proposal to the first chamber. of the second chamber ad- dresses the remaining differences and makes a proposal to the second chamber.

43 10 legal provisions that apply since the beginning of 2021

Public transport CBD hemp Passengers are now entitled The production and marketing to compensation if their of seeds and seedlings for the journey is delayed by one production of CBD hemp in hour or more. agriculture is permitted. The cultivation and use of narcotic hemp (cannabis) remains prohibited.

Radio and television fees Radio and television fees for households have been reduced from CHF 365 to Cycling CHF 335. Those who receive Children up to the age of 12 supplementary benefits to are allowed to cycle on the OASI or Invalidity Insurance pavement if there are no cycle are still exempt. lanes or cycle tracks. Was Einstein right? Albert Einstein once said that “if the world were to end, I’d prefer to be in Switzerland. Everything happens five years later there.” Is he right? The end of the world could well be thrown off course in Driving test the consultation procedure, or at the very least in A passed theory test is now Alcohol Parliament. There may well also be disagreement valid for an unlimited period of Motorway service stations are

10 legal provisions legal 10 within the Federal Council on a reasonable time time. A provisional driving now permitted to serve and licence can be applied for at sell alcoholic beverages. schedule for the end of the world. And Swiss the age of 17 instead of 18. voters will also have their say in the matter! One can assume that Swiss voters would reject the end of the world. It looks like, for once, Einstein was wrong: the world would not simply end a few years later in Switzerland, it would not be allowed Parliament to end, ever. Women in executive Paternity leave positions Fathers of newborn children In large listed companies Excerpt from a speech by Federal Councillor are now entitled to two weeks headquartered in Switzerland, Alain Berset of paternity leave, which they a new benchmark of 30 per can take during the first six cent of women on the board months after the birth. of directors and 20 per cent on the executive board applies.

Motorway In the event of congestion, slow-moving traffic or an Turning right accident, it is now permitted Cyclists and moped riders are to pass moving cars on the now permitted to turn right at right. Overtaking on the right traffic lights if this is signalled. and switching lanes again remains prohibited.

Federal law www.fedlex.admin.ch

44 The Parliamentary Services

The Parliamentary Services support Council members in fulfilling their duties. They are answerable to Parliament and operate inde- pendently of the Federal Council and the Federal Administration.

Support for Parliament Open Day events for the general public The Parliamentary Services serve as Parliament’s own independent staff office, which works on behalf of both Every year, around 100,000 people visit the Swiss parlia- chambers. The Parliamentary Services have a staff of ment. Visitors can watch Council debates from the galler- around 300 (amounting to more than 200 full-time equiv- ies during the sessions. Between sessions, the Parlia- alents). Their tasks include organising Council and com- mentary Services offer guided tours of Parliament. mittee meetings and handling translations. Visitors can visit the parliament building without prior reservation during the Open Day events which are organ- The Parliamentary Services support Parliament in ised several times a year. Due to the high demand for fulfilling its duties. They: visits during the sessions and guided tours, we recom- • plan and organise Council sessions and the parliamen- mend you make reservations as early as possible. tary committee meetings; • provide a secretariat and translation services, and take Open Day schedule 2021 the minutes of the debates of the Councils and the 24 April committees; 26 June Services Parliamentary The • advise Council members, in particular the presidents of 1 August 16 October the Councils and committees, on substantive issues and matters of procedure; • inform the public about Parliament and its activities; • support Parliament in maintaining international relations;

• manage the parliamentary library and provide docu- Parliament mentation and IT services to Council members; www.parliament.ch – Visiting • provide an adequate infrastructure and perform many the Parliament Building other parliamentary administration tasks.

Expenses 2019 (CHF) Staff (FTEs) 2019 65 million 222

Parliamentary Services, Secretary General: www.parliament.ch Philippe Schwab

45 The Executive The Government On 1 January each year, the Federal Chancellery design and select the photographer. The design publishes the official photo of the Federal Coun- for 2021 was chosen by Guy Parmelin as he is cil. The president for that year gets to decide the president this year.

Government The Executive 48 The GovernmentThe ExecutiveThe mechanism. brake debt by the ensured is this term: longer over the receipts not exceed may its expenditure Confederation’s The Chancellery. Federal the and ofseven up departments made is Administration The Administration. Federal by the tasks its in assisted is Council www.admin.ch manner. a collegial in decisions their defend and take decisions who seven members, The Federal Council is Switzerland’s government. It consists of The FederalCouncil –abriefguide Youtube – www.ch.ch Taxes inSwitzerland

The presidency rotates every year. every rotates Federal The presidency The in asolidposition. debt, SwitzerlandandtheConfederation inparticularare nues thanusual.Thankstothe lowlevelofgovernment same time,theConfederation is expectinglowertaxreve series ofmeasures costingseveralbillionfrancs.Atthe people, theFederalCounciland Parliamenthavetakena of federalfinances.To supporttheeconomyand since early2020 hashadasignificantimpactonthestate The pandemicthathasbeenragingaround theworld COVID-19 then undertakeadditionalexpenditure. recessions may andnaturaldisasters;thegovernment made inextraordinary crisissituationssuch asserious weak. Thedebtbrakedoesallowforanexceptiontobe more thanitcollectsinreceipts whentheeconomyis surplus whentheeconomyisthrivingandmayspend and receipts overthelongerterm.Itisrequired toruna The Confederationisrequired tobalanceitsexpenditure Debt brakemechanism ment oftheprevious year( cides thebudgetandapproves thestatefinancial Parliament hassovereignty overfederalfinances:itde referendum, p. 22). majority ofthePeopleandcantonsagree (mandatory and valueaddedtax.Thesemayonlybemodifiedifa for themainsources ofreceipts, namelydirect federaltax eration isallowedtoraise.Maximumtaxratesare defined The FederalConstitutionsetsoutwhattaxestheConfed Federal finances:checkedandapproved

➝ p. 33, p. 38).

- - - - Federal receipts and expenditure (2019) the secondjoinedin CVP) joinedthegovernment; Catholic Conservatives(today 1891 years. 43 aloneforThe partygoverned (today FDP.The Liberals). of theFree DemocraticParty composed ofsevenmembers 1848 1948 since Council Federal ofthe composition party Political goods andservices. and onbusinessprofits (8,5 income ofprivateindividuals(progressive, max.11,5 sources ofreceipts. Direct federaltaxisraisedonthe Direct federaltaxandVAT are theConfederation’s main Receipts of 74.5 billion 1848 1848 FDP FDP FDP FDP FDP FDP FDP FDP Thefirstmemberofthe TheFederalCouncilwas 1919. 1891 1891 CVP CVP FDP FDP FDP FDP FDP FDP

30 31 10 3 3 1111 30 31 10 3 % 3 % 6 6 % 6 6 % 6 6

% % % %

%). VA

% %

% % % %

Direct federaltax Other taxreceipts duty Tobacco duty Stamp tax Withholding Direct federaltax Withholding tax Other taxreceipts Value addedtax Tobacco duty Stamp duty 1943 Council. (today SVP)totheFederal Trades’ andCitizens’Party member oftheFarmers’, 1929 crat (SP)entered thegovern 1951. ment; thesecondfollowedin Value addedtax Mineral oiltax Non taxreceipts Mineral oiltax Non taxreceipts T is7,7 Parliamentelecteda ThefirstSocialDemo 1919 1919 CVP CVP CVP FDP FDP FDP FDP FDP

% onmost 1929 1929 CVP CVP CVP CVP FDP FDP FDP FDP FDP FDP FDP FDP SVP

%), - - 1943 1943 CVP CVP CVP FDP FDP FDP SVP SP cratic Party(BDP). founded ConservativeDemo- of theSVPjoinednewly 2008 at theexpenseofCVP. elections, theSVPwonaseat 2003 years. changed for44 The formularemained un- la’: 2FDP, 2CVP, 2SP, 1SVP. by applyingthe‘magicformu agreed toformagovernment 1959 health insurancepremium reductions, andmigration. major areas ofexpenditure are supplementarybenefits, sion (OASI),andasixthtoinvalidityinsurance(II).Other welfare. Halfofthatgoestowards oldagepensionprovi Almost athird offederalexpenditure goestowards social of 71.4Expenditure billion Thefourstrongest parties AttheFederalCouncil Thetworepresentatives 1951 1951 CVP CVP CVP FDP FDP SVP SP SP - 11 14 % 11 5 % 5 % 8 % 14 % 31 11 5 5 8 11 14 14 31

% % % % %

% % % % % 0320 2009 2008 2003 2003 CVP CVP FDP FDP SVP SVP

SP SP

Transport Other expenditure Foreign relations Agriculture andfood Security Education andresearch Finances andtaxation Social welfare Other expenditur Other relations Foreign Agriculture andfood Security Transport Finances andtaxation welfar Social cording tothe2:2:2:1 formula. different political parties–ac posed ofmembersfrom four Council hasagainbeencom Since in herplace. elected anSVPrepresentative stepped down.Parliament 2015 retiring BDPrepresentative. was electedinplaceofa 2009 Education andresear TheBDPrepresentative AmemberoftheSVP 2008 BDP BDP BDP BDP then TheFederal CVP CVP FDP FDP FDP FDP SP SP 2009 BDP CVP CVP FDP FDP e SVP SP SP e ch 2015 2015 CVP FDP FDP SVP SVP SVP SVP SP SP - - - 49

Government The Executive Government The Federal Council 50 Party affiliation Council since2016 Member oftheFederal Education andResearch ment ofEconomicAffairs, Head oftheFederalDepart Guy Parmelin President region. speaking Italian- the from one and part French-speaking the from two ofSwitzerland, part German-speaking the from Four come parties. different four from drawn are Council Federal ofthe members year. each current The ofpresident post the holding member adifferent with years, four every by Parliament elected are They The Federal Council comprises seven of members equal standing. The Federal Council in its external dealings in itsexternal represents the government but chairsthemeetingsand bers oftheFederalCouncil, standing totheothermem The president isofequal the meetings. cellery supporttheFederalCouncilbyhelpingtoprepare business. ThesevendepartmentsandtheFederalChan sions. Eachyear, itdecidesonmore itemsof than2500 cially demandingissuesare discussedinspecialses The FederalCouncilnormallymeetseveryweek.Espe SVP SVP

Vice President Party affiliation Council since2017 Member oftheFederal of Foreign Affairs Head oftheFederalDepartment Ignazio Cassis FDP FDP

- - - December 2023 ry electionsinOctober) cil (followingtheparliamenta Election oftheFederalCoun 8 December2021 vice president: Election ofthepresident and Important dates Party affiliation Council since2009 Member oftheFederal ment ofFinance Head oftheFederalDepart Ueli Maurer SVP SVP

Party affiliation Council since2010 Member oftheFederal Energy andCommunications of theEnvironment, Transport, Head oftheFederalDepartment Sommaruga Simonetta SP

Party affiliation Council since2012 Member oftheFederal ment ofHomeAffairs Head oftheFederalDepart Alain Berset the largestpartiesare represented inthegovernment. ing tothestrength ofthepoliticalparties:asaresult, all Parliament allocatesseatsontheFederalCouncilaccord both maleandfemalecandidatesforelection.Normally Federal Council.Thepartiesare expectedtopropose and languagestobe‘appropriately represented’ inthe The FederalConstitutionrequires Switzerland’s regions Consociationalism opinions orthepositiontakenbytheirparty. jointly, evenifthesedecisionsare contrarytotheirown the FederalCouncildefenddecisionstheyhavetaken Federal Councilpresents aunitedfront: themembersof sensus andreach theirdecisionstogether. Outwardly, the ing viewsandvalues.However, theyalwaysseekacon The membersoftheFederalCounciloftenhaveconflict Consensus dealings.Thepresidencyin itsexternal rotates eachyear. tion chairsthemeetingsandrepresents thegovernment have equalrights.Thepresident oftheSwissConfedera the FederalCouncilare eachmembersofthecollegeand thesevenmembersofcollegial bodyasitsgovernment: Switzerland istheonlycountryinworldthathasa Collegiality Federal Council? the about special is What SP SP

Party affiliation Council since2019 Member oftheFederal tion andSport ment ofDefence,CivilProtec Head oftheFederalDepart Viola Amherd The Centre The Centre

- - - - rejected. times inParliament,buteachoftheseproposals was election bythePeoplehasalsobeenproposed several sion, boththePeopleandcantonsvotedagainst.An Swiss people:in1900, 1942 and2013. Oneachocca whether theFederalCouncilshouldbeelectedby The Swisselectoratehasalready votedthree timeson People the by elected Not for election. office untilheorsheretires orchoosesnottostandagain Normally amemberoftheFederalCouncilremains in removed. Theycanbere-elected anynumberoftimes. liament toserveafour-year termofoffice andcannotbe The membersoftheFederalCouncilare electedbyPar Stability 2 SVP, 1CVP(‘TheCentre’ from 1.1.2021). there hasbeenaminor shift:2FDP,Since 2003, 2SP, and 2CVPrepresentatives, and1SVPrepresentative. theFederalCouncilwasmadeupof2FDP,2003), 2SP years(1959the fourthlargestpartyhasoneseat.For44 – parties eachholdtwoseatsintheFederalCouncil,while composition oftheFederalCouncil:largestthree 2:2:2:1 istheendlesslydebatedformulaforpolitical Magic Formula Party affiliation Council since2019 Member oftheFederal ment ofJusticeandPolice Head oftheFederalDepart Karin Keller-Sutter FDP FDP

also electedbyParliament. Chancellery (➝ staff andheadstheFederal the FederalCouncil’s chiefof The FederalChancelloris Party affiliation In office since2016 Federal Chancellor Walter Thurnherr Federal Chancellor The Centre p. 56). Heis p.56). The Centre -

Government The Federal Council Government The Federal Council’s tasks 52 www.admin.ch/abstimmungen www.admin.ch/news www.admin.ch/TV ballot papersandpublishedontheinternet. voted inared booklet,whichisposted to voterswiththeir sions andintentions.Itexplainsproposals thatare being the generalpublicwithregular information onitsdeci The FederalCouncilprovides thecantons,Parliamentand Providing information decision. Council submitsitsbilltoParliamentfordebateanda tation process. Aftertheseconsultations,theFederal groups,and concerned whichare expressed inaconsul account oftheviewscantons,parties,associations lar votes.Itsproposals receive broad support:theytake proposals onhowtoimplementdecisionstakeninpopu The FederalCouncilsubmitsnewlawstoParliamentand Preparing legislation Federal Council’sThe tasks

- - - Parliament of decisions the Implementing of adepartment( ments. EachmemberoftheFederalCouncilishead depart istration isorganisedintosevengovernment employees.TheAdmin tration, whichhasaround 38,000 The FederalCouncilisinchargeoftheAdminis Administration Heading Federal the Federal Councilensures thattheseare taken. mented. IfParliamentrequests particularmeasures, the out thespecificsonhownewlawshouldbeimple Federal Councilissuestherequired ordinances. Theyset As soonasParliamenthasdecidedonanewlaw, the FDJP

DETEC

DDPS

➝ FDFA p.54/55).

FDHA

FDF

EAER

- - - - People andthecantons. port foritsplans,inParliamentandifneedbeamongthe it planstoinvestfederalfunds.Ithasfindmajoritysup issues amissionstatement,setsgoalsandindicateshow The FederalCouncilsetstheagendaforfuture: it Planning for the future 2. 2. red bydigitaltransformation. exploit theopportunities offe prosperity sustainablyand 1. 2019 period ture statement forthelegisla- Federal Councilmission 53 measures. 53 selves include18 goalsand Mission Statementthem These three elementsinthe reliable partnerintheworld. the climateandactasa security, engageinprotecting 3. cooperation. international contribute toconsolidating age nationalcohesionand Switzerland shallsecure its Switzerland shallguarantee Switzerland shallencour

–

2023 - to eachother’sviews andseekacommonapproach. granted. We have to approach oneanother anew, listen identity, which issomethingthatcannotbetaken for balanced solutions.Anditcreates afeeling ofshared complicated andtimeconsuming,butitoften leadsto federalism –alsoasignofdiversity –sometimesseems It isourdiversity thatmakes Switzerland strong. Our What are thestrengths ofourpoliticalsystem? to say. talking to young peopleandlistening to what they have contribute equally to thesearch for consensus.Ienjoy people are ofallages.Young andolderspecialists alike councillor isbacked upby agreat many staff,andthese represented intheFederal Council. Butevery federal It’s truethattheyounger generation isnotdirectly represents theinterests oftheyounger generation? well represented in theFederal Council. Butwho Men and women andthedifferent regions are currently respect. with thepresidency is anhonour, andonethatIacceptwith occasions are alsoaprivilege. Everything thatisassociated giving speechesandwritten messagesto mark special Chairing theweekly meetingsoftheFederal Council and and more intensive exchanges withothercountries. appearances atmajorevents, more contactwiththepublic, The privileges enjoyed by thepresident includeadditional What are themain ones? As president you undoubtedly enjoy many privileges. result, theFederalresult, Council was ableto order wide-ranging powers on theFederal Council. Asa these decisions. Parliament gave itsretrospective approval to all cancellation ofapopular vote. Asrequired by law, emergency credits, short-timework, and even the bans on publicgatherings, virus crisisin 2020: drastic short-term measures during thecorona risk to publichealth, the 185). In theeventArt. ofthere being an exceptional issue emergency ordinances ( endangered, theFederal Council hasthepower to If Switzerland’s internal orexternal securityis Governing in timesofcrisis Epidemics Act Guy Parmelin Confederation 2021 President oftheSwiss Federal Constitution confers

Government The Federal Council’s tasks Government Federal Administration 54 Commissioner Protection andInformation Office oftheFederalData Autonomous organisation Federal Chancellor Walter Thurnherr Federal Chancellery FCh Staff office Federal Administration apprentices, 549 are graduateapprentices, 549 in 38,765 (35,109 full-timeequivalents) (35,109 38,765 in the Federal Administration. of Foreign Affairs Federal Department FDFA Directorate forResources ment andCooperation Swiss AgencyforDevelop- Consular Directorate Law Directorate ofInternational State Secretariat General Secretariat Head ofDepartment Ignazio Cassis Departments

1,155 ofthoseare 1,155 terns.

staff work

of HomeAffairs Federal Department FDHA Head ofDepartment Alain Berset Office Federal SocialInsurance Federal StatisticalOffice Veterinary Office Federal FoodSafetyand Health Federal Office ofPublic and ClimatologyMeteoSwiss Federal Office ofMeteorology Swiss FederalArchives Federal Office ofCulture Equality Federal Office forGender General Secretariat Pro Helvetia Swiss ArtsCouncil Swiss NationalMuseum Products Swissmedic Swiss AgencyforTherapeutic Autonomous organisations

Head ofDepartment Karin Keller-Sutter of JusticeandPolice Federal Department FDJP Federal Office ofPolice Federal Office ofJustice State Secretariat forMigration General Secretariat Prevention ofTorture National Commissionforthe Rights Copyrights andRelated sion fortheExploitationof Federal ArbitrationCommis- Migration Federal Commissionon Federal GamingBoard Authority Federal AuditOversight tive Law Swiss InstituteofCompara- Federal InstituteofMetrology Intellectual Property Federal Instituteof Autonomous organisations

Head ofDepartment Viola Amherd Sport Defence, CivilProtection and Federal Departmentof DDPS Federal Council. full by the supervised is awhole as lor, Administration Federal the council by afederal headed is department each While Chancellery. Federal the and ofseven departments government consists It Federal the CouncilThe Federal in supports its Administration tasks. Federal Office ofSport Protection Federal Office forCivil swisstopo Federal Office ofTopography Procurement armasuisse Federal Office forDefence Defence sector Federal IntelligenceService General Attorney Office oftheArmedForces General Secretariat

Head ofDepartment Ueli Maurer of Finance Federal Department FDF PUBLICA Federal PensionFund Swiss FederalAuditOffice Supervisory Authority Swiss FinancialMarket Autonomous organisations and Logistics Federal Office forBuildings Telecommunications Technology, Systemsand Federal Office ofInformation tion Federal CustomsAdministra- Federal Tax Administration Federal Office ofPersonnel tion Federal FinanceAdministra- tional FinancialMatters State Secretariat- forInterna General Secretariat

Head ofDepartment Guy Parmelin and Research Economic Affairs, Education Federal Departmentof EAER Service Federal Office forCivilian Federal Office forHousing Economic Supply Federal Office forNational Federal Office forAgriculture tion, Research andInnovation State Secretariat forEduca - Economic Affairs SECO State Secretariat for General Secretariat Innosuisse Swiss InnovationAgency Training Vocational Educationand Swiss FederalInstitutefor of Technology ETH Board oftheFederalInstitutes Competition Commission Office ofthePriceSupervisor Autonomous organisations

Development Federal Office forSpatial Environment Federal Office forthe of Communications Federal Office Federal RoadsOffice of Energy Swiss FederalOffice Federal Office ofCivilAviation Federal Office ofTransport Energy andCommunications Environment, Transport, Federal Departmentofthe DETEC RailCom Rail Transport Commission Commission PostCom Federal PostalServices Television Authority forRadioand Independent Complaints Commission ComCom Federal Communications sion ElCom Federal ElectricityCommis- Investigation Board Swiss Transportation Safety Heavy Current Installations Federal Inspectoratefor Inspectorate Swiss FederalNuclearSafety Autonomous organisations Head ofDepartment Simonetta Sommaruga General Secretariat

- 55

Government Federal Administration Government Federal Chancellery 56 the legality of initiatives and referendums. and ofinitiatives legality the verifies votes and and elections federal organises it people’s rights, of custodian manner. the As acoordinated in them communicate and decisions to take sound able is Council Federal the that ensures it Council: the Federal of office staff the is Chancellery Federal The Federal Chancellery

continuity from onepresidential yeartothenext. The FederalChancelleryprovides supportandensures 82 million (CHF) 2019 Expenses mation proj 1.1.2021. Itcoordinates andsupportsdigitaltransfor The newlycreated DTISectorhasbeen inoperationsince retaries generalcoordinate theworkoftheirdepartments. the Conference ofSecretaries General,atwhichthesec The FederalChancellorchairsthemonthlymeetingsof Administration Coordinating theworkofFederal assume additionaltasksathomeandabroad ( During theiryearasSwisspresident, federalcouncillors Supporting thepresident legislature planning,theannualobjectivesandreporting. al Councilplanningandcontrolling: forthefour-year es theneedforpoliticalaction.Itisresponsible forFeder tional developmentsand,onthebasisofthese,establish The FederalChancellerymonitorsnationalandinterna Planning forthefuture the Official CompilationofFederalLegislation. new oramendedactsandordinances are publishedin and reports are publishedintheFederalGazette,while Federal Council’s decisions.FederalCouncildecisions Spokesperson goesbefore thepress toannouncethe After everyFederalCouncilmeeting,the Communicating FederalCouncildecisions cil coordinates thisjointreporting procedure. their inputontheitemsagenda.TheFederalCoun the meeting,federaldepartmentsandoffices cangive week todealwithnumerous itemsofbusiness.Priorto The FederalCouncilnormallyholdsameetingonce Preparing FederalCouncildecisions Federal Councilmeetings. vice chancellorsalwaysattend The FederalChancellorandboth Photo left

ects throughout theFederalAdministration.

209 2019 (FTEs) Staff www.bk.admin.ch

➝ p.50).

- - - - -

Viktor Rossi Vice Chancellor: André Simonazzi Vice ChancellorandFederalCouncilSpokesperson: responsible forthetranslations. are alsoproduced inEnglish.TheFederalChancelleryis be produced inRomansh.Texts relevance ofinternational able intheselanguages.Incertaincasestheymustalso Italian, andalllegalofficial federaltextsmustbeavail Switzerland’s official languagesare German,French and Promoting multilingualism elections inSwitzerland. establish newtrialsforonlinevotinginpopularvotesand dum (➝ one interested inlaunchingapopularinitiativeorreferen necessary informationontheproper procedures toany and popularvotesare conductedcorrectly. Itprovides the The FederalChancelleryensures thatallfederalelections Overseeing democraticrights www.twitter.com/BR_Sprecher www.youtube.com –‘TheSwissFederalCouncil’ www.ch.ch www.admin.ch a BriefGuide’. videos andinthisbrochure ‘TheSwissConfederation– information isprovided ontwowebsites,inexplanatory it sendsoutvotinginstructions.Up-to-dateanddetailed information ontheVoteInfo app.Before federalelections, sends explanatorymaterialtoallvotersandupdatesthe Before afederalvoteisheld,theFederalChancellery channels Publishing informationthrough arangeof p.22ff.). Itisalsoworkingwiththecantonsto

www.edoeb.admin.ch Adrian Lobsiger Commissioner FDPIC: Protection andInformation Office oftheFederalData organisation Autonomous Federal Chancellorsince2016 Walter Thurnherr

- - 57

Government Federal Chancellery Government FDFA 58 The FDFA safeguards Switzerland’s foreign policy interests. interests. policy foreign Switzerland’s FDFAThe safeguards FDFAof Foreign Affairs Federal Department tions around the world. the around tions ation and humanitarian aid. There are around 170 Swiss representa The FDFA is for also responsible Switzerland’s development cooper abroad. citizens for Swiss services provides It UN. the and EU the as maintains relations other with states and international bodies such

It It - - 2.98 bn 2.98 (CHF) Expenses 2019 travelling abroad. They alsoprovide servicesforSwisscitizens livingor represent Switzerland atorganisationssuchastheUN. with Switzerland’s partnercountriesandtheEU, head officenetworkmaintaincontacts andtheexternal Geneva andaround 170 representations abroad. Both provides theframeworkforFDFA’s activitiesinBern, priority countriessuchastheUSandChina.Thestrategy Swiss-EU relations andSwitzerland’s exchangeswith aretransformation. Otherkeyconcerns theregulation of peace andsecurity, prosperity, sustainabilityanddigital four years.Theprioritiesforthe2020 The FederalCouncilissuesaforeign policystrategyevery human rightsandtheconservationofnaturalresources. alleviation ofneedandpovertyintheworld,respect for security ofourcountry, thepromotion ofprosperity, the Constitution. Theyincludethefreedom, autonomyand These interests andvaluesare enshrinedintheFederal moting Switzerland’s interests andvalues. ples ofwhattheFDFA doestofulfilitsmainmission:pro respected inthevirtualworld.Theseare justsomeexam sources andworkstoensure thathumanrightsare also abroad. Itpromotes thesustainableuseofnaturalre countries, andsupportsSwisscompaniesoperating ian crises,creates economicopportunitiesindeveloping solutions. Itprovides emergencyassistanceinhumanitar Switzerland supportsconflictingpartiesinfindingpolitical sure good harvests. the Climandesproject to en- in Peru:theSDCsupported A weatherstationforfar Photo left

mers

5,489 Staff (FTEs)2019 www.fdfa.admin.ch

–

23 periodar e

- - - - “Swiss foreign policy policy foreign “Swiss State Secretary: LiviaLeu State Secretariat StS www.fdfa.admin.ch Secretary General:MarkusSeiler General Secretariat GS-FDFA Member oftheFederalCouncilsince2017. Ignazio Cassis,headoftheFDFA. Tania Cavassini Director: Resources DR Directorate for www.fdfa.admin.ch/sdc Director: PatriciaDanzi ment andCooperationSDC Swiss AgencyforDevelop- Director: JohannesMatyassy Consular Directorate CD Corinne Cicéron Bühler Director: Law DIL Directorate ofInternational t ref d coun ive s ive le

r c t t s ry.”

ts the t the ts reng i ty and innova ty

ths of ou ths rad i t ion r

- s,

Government FDFA Government FDHA 60 of people with disabilities. with of people integration the and equality gender society, in cohesion and diversity cultural promoting include ofactivity areas Its future. the into pension system the protecting – occupationalpensions and – state health system that is accessible to all. to all. accessible is that system health effective and efficient an has country the works FDHA The to ensure FDHA Affairs of Home Federal Department It is also committed to to committed also is It ways willcontinuetoposechallengesintothefuture. ising, archiving andusingthisdatainawidevarietyof changing worldandmakewell-foundeddecisions.Digit statistics sothatwecanunderstandourconstantly In allthisitisimportanttohaveup-to-dateandreliable tion forthepublicandsupportartsculture. rity andanimalwelfare, providing meteorological informa systems, keepinghealthcostsdown,ensuringfoodsecu daily workare reforming the socialinsuranceandpension The mainchallengesFDHAemployeesdealwithintheir our society. such values;racismanddiscriminationhavenoplacein guage regions. TheFDHAworksconstantlytodefend the sick,betweengenerationsandamonglan virus crisis.Solidarityisshownbetweenthehealthyand 18.26 bn 18.26 (CHF) Expenses 2019 is great cohesioninSwisssocietyduringthecorona Despite themanyculturaldifferences inthecountry, there ance systemthatcansupportpeopleinallphasesoflife. It alsoshowsthatSwitzerlandhasasoundsocialinsur to haveaneffective healthsystemthatisaccessibletoall. The coronavirus pandemicshowsushowimportantitis itself againstthevirus. public abouthowtoprotect Health informsthegeneral Federal Office ofPublic During thepandemic, Photo left

2,472 Staff (FTEs)2019 www.fdha.admin.ch

- - - - “The public relies relies public “The Director: SylvieDurrer Equality FOGE Federal Office forGender www.fdha.admin.ch Secretary General:LukasGresch-Brunner General Secretariat GS-FDHA Member oftheFederalCouncilsince2012. Alain Berset,headoftheFDHA. www.bsv.admin.ch Director: StéphaneRossini Office FSIO Federal SocialInsurance www.bfs.admin.ch Georges-Simon Ulrich Director: FSO Federal StatisticalOffice www.blv.admin.ch Director: HansWyss Veterinary Office FSVO Federal FoodSafetyand www.bag.admin.ch Director: AnneLévy Health FOPH Federal Office ofPublic admin.ch www.meteoschweiz. Director: PeterBinder MeteoSwiss ogy andClimatology Federal Office ofMeteorol - www.bar.admin.ch Director: PhilippeKünzler SFA Swiss FederalArchives www.bak.admin.ch Director: IsabelleChassot FOC Federal Office ofCulture www.ebg.admin.ch insurance system and on a sound social on sound a social an accessible health health accessible an system.”

organisations Autonomous www.prohelvetia.ch Director: PhilippeBischof Pro Helvetia Swiss ArtsCouncil www.nationalmuseum.ch Director: DeniseTonella SNM Swiss NationalMuseum www.swissmedic.ch Director: RaimundT. Bruhin Swissmedic Therapeutic Products Swiss Agencyfor

Government FDHA Government FDJP 62 tion and so in ensures internal Switzerland. security The FDJP for police is international and responsible coopera national Police FDJPand of Justice Federal Department in or Switzerland, obtain asylum here. enter, may work live and nationals foreign which under conditions the regulates FDJP the addition, In society. modern of needs the reflect law administrative and to in civil,legislation criminal, constitutional It develops develops It - 2.84 bn 2.84 (CHF) Expenses 2019 Switzerland. cess ofremoving personswhoare notentitledtostayin centres. Improvements continuetobemadethepro ers are housedindecentconditionsthefederalasylum to becarriedoutquicklyandfairlythatasylumseek The FDJPalsoensures thatasylumprocedures continue cent people–maybecomeclearer more quickly. plify investigations:therangeofsuspects–andinno colour canbeextractedfrom aDNAtrace.Thiscansim characteristics suchashair,about external eyeorskin their investigations.Usingthesemethods,information and thepolicetousenewmethodsofDNAanalysisin amendment tothelawthatwillpermitpublicprosecutors security. Forexample,itiscurrently workingonan land havethenecessarylegalinstrumentstoguarantee The FDJPensures thatthesecurityauthoritiesinSwitzer enterprises (SMEs)andsecure jobs. to provide greater stabilityforsmallandmedium-sized es tobepassedonfamilymembers.Thereform aims to remove obstaclestomakeiteasierforfamilybusiness the revision ofinheritancelaw. The Federal Councilwants Another importantproject beinghandledbytheFDJPis evenmorecan navigatetheinternet easilyandsecurely. cation Services(E-IDAct).Thislawensures thatusers the draftingofnewFederalActonElectronic Identifi tifying apersononline,theFDJPwascloselyinvolvedin electronically. To ensure thatthere are clearrulesforiden More andmore businessprocesses are nowconducted simple yetsecure electronic ID. of Justiceisdevelopinga payments. TheFederalOffice for shoppingandmaking isnowwidelyusedThe internet Photo left

2,602 Staff (FTEs)2019 www.fdjp.admin.ch

- -

------“Without security, security, “Without Mario Gattiker State Secretary: Migration SEM State Secretariat for www.fdjp.admin.ch Secretary General:BarbaraHübscherSchmuki General Secretariat GS-FDJP Member oftheFederalCouncilsince2019. Karin Keller-Sutter, headoftheFDJP. www.li.admin.ch Director: RenéKoch PTSS tions SurveillanceService Post andTelecommunica- www.fedpol.admin.ch Nicoletta dellaValle Director: fedpol Federal Office ofPolice www.bj.admin.ch Director: MartinDumermuth FOJ Federal Office ofJustice www.sem.admin.ch freedom or prosperity prosperity or freedom there can be no be no can there at any level.” any at

organisations Autonomous www.nkvf.admin.ch President: RegulaMader NCPT the Prevention ofTorture National Commissionfor www.eschk.admin.ch Helen KneubühlerDienst President: and RelatedRights Exploitation ofCopyrights Commission forthe Federal Arbitration www.ekm.admin.ch President: Walter Leimgruber Migration FCM Federal Commissionon www.esbk.admin.ch Director: Jean-MarieJordan Federal GamingBoard FGB www.rab-asr.ch Director: RetoSanwald Authority FAOA Federal AuditOversight www.isdc.ch Director: ChristinaSchmid ative LawSICL Swiss InstituteofCompar www.metas.ch Director: PhilippeRichard Metrology METAS Federal Instituteof www.ige.ch Catherine Chammartin Director: Intellectual Property IIP Federal Instituteof

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Government FDJP Government DDPS 64 role in fulfilling the DDPS remit. DDPS the fulfilling in role a play all Protection Civil for Office Federal the in Laboratory Spiez forces, the and Federal civil Intelligence services protection Service, armed The cyberspace. in and ground the on airspace, our in threats Switzerland and its population. population. its and Switzerland of protection the and matters security with concerned is DDPS The DDPS Sport Civil Protection and of Defence,Federal Department It is responsible for dealing with with for dealing responsible is It 7.1 bn (CHF) Expenses 2019 also necessaryinorder totackleviolent extremism. whether procurement measures requiring approval are addition toformalcorrections, theDDPSisexamining include therevision oftheIntelligenceService Act.In sports facilitiesofnationalimportance.Otherprojects Parliament, aproposal toprovide federalfundingfornew Federal CouncilwillsubmittheNASAK5dispatchto such asextendingsupportforsportingactivities.The In 2021 there are other importantprojects onthehorizon, aircraft willprotect thecountryfrom airattackfrom 2030. tems toprocure onthatbasisandthuswhichtypeof dates. TheFederalCouncilwillthendecidewhichsys demonstrating thecost-benefitratioofbestcandi selected. Selectionwillbebasedonanevaluationreport extended-range ground-based airdefencesystemwillbe gramme, whenthenewfighteraircraft andthenew 2021 pro willseeafurthermilestoneintheAir2030 ing themeansavailabletoprotect Swissairspace.Mid- 27 September 2020, voterscameoutinfavourofrenew One importantinstrumentistheSwissAirForce. On instruments. ters andconsequentlyrequire arangeofsecuritypolicy tories. Thisshowsthatthreats cancomefrom manyquar testing andimproving coordination betweentestlabora agement, particularlyinthearea ofdiagnostics,mask Laboratory hasalsobeenactivelyinvolvedincrisisman armed forces andcivilprotection services,theSpiez response tothecoronavirus pandemic.Inadditiontothe The DDPShasbeenheavilyinvolvedinSwitzerland’s cal hazards. nuclear, biologicalandchemi- protect Switzerlandagainst Spiez Laboratoryhelpsto during thepandemic:The Important servicesprovided Photo left

11,909 Staff (FTEs)2019 www.vbs.admin.ch -

------“The DDPS “The works to Director: MichaelaSchärer Protection FOCP Federal Office forCivil www.gs-vbs.admin.ch Secretary General:Toni Eder General Secretariat GS-DDPS Member oftheFederalCouncilsince2019. Viola Amherd, headoftheDDPS. www.oa.admin.ch General: StefanFlachsmann Armed Forces Attorney General Attorney Office oftheArmedForces www.ndb.admin.ch Jean-Philippe Gaudin Director: Service FIS Federal Intelligence www.armee.ch Thomas Süssli Lieutenant General Chief oftheArmedForces: Defence sector www.baspo.ch Director: MatthiasRemund FOSPO Federal Office ofSport www.swisstopo.ch Director: FridolinWicki phy swisstopo Federal Office ofTopogra - www.armasuisse.ch ment: MartinSonderegger Chief ofDefenceProcure- Procurement armasuisse Federal Office forDefence www.babs.admin.ch protect Switzerland Switzerland protect and its population.” its and

Government DDPS Government FDF 66 buildings and logistics. to resources IT to human from Administration, Federal entire the for services provides also It goods. and movement ofpeople border cross- the checks and duties customs and taxes collects ment policy. financial on and budget state the on of emphasis FDF,the at – taxes lot is a there credits, bridging finances, Federal FDF of Finance Federal Department The depart The

- 15.73 bn. (CHF) Expenses 2019 forwards themtotherelevant bodies. The contactpointreceives reports, analysesthemand authorities andacademiawhenitcomestocyberissues. first pointofcontactforthegeneralpublic,businesses, by theFederalCybersecurityDelegateinFDF, isthe cyber must takepersonalresponsibility inprotecting against Cyberattacks havebecomecommonplace.Everyone economic recovery. savings programmes ifpossible,soasnottojeopardise the challengesforfederalbudgetwithoutrecourse to duce COVID federation islikelytofacelowerreceipts andcallstore cushion theimpact.Innearfuture, however, theCon and Parliamentwere abletoapprove highexpenditure to in arelatively goodstartingposition.TheFederalCouncil Switzerland’s debtislow, government sothecountrywas The pandemichasweighedheavilyonfederalfinances. velopments mustbeidentifiedandpricedin. ability andtraintheirstaff. Risksfrom environmental de institutions shouldprovide competentadviceonsustain information shouldbeavailabletoeveryone.Financial centre more competitive.Environmental andclimate tions shouldbedesignedtomaketheSwissfinancial location forsustainablefinancialservicesandthecondi responsible growth. Switzerlandshouldbecomealeading sector. Thisrepresents anopportunityforenvironmentally Sustainability isincreasingly importantinthefinancial Confederation. premises onbehalfofthe energy-efficient administrative The FOBLbuildsmodern, Photo left - risks. TheNationalCybersecurityCentr

- 19 debt.TheFederalCouncilaimstomeet

8,716 Staff (FTEs)2019 www.efd.admin.ch e, headed

“ A healthy federal federal “A healthy Daniela Stoffel State Secretary: FinanceSIF International State Secretariat for www.efd.admin.ch Secretary General:RolfGötschmann General Secretariat GS-FDF Member oftheFederalCouncilsince2009. Ueli Maurer, headoftheFDF. www.bbl.admin.ch Director: Pierre Broye ings andLogisticsFOBL Federal Office forBuild- www.bit.admin.ch Director: DirkLindemann FOITT and Telecommunications tion Technology, Systems Federal Office ofInforma- www.ezv.admin.ch Director: ChristianBock Administration FCA Federal Customs www.estv.admin.ch Director: AdrianHug FTA Federal Tax Administration www.epa.admin.ch (from 1March 2021) Director: RahelvonKaenel FOPER Federal Office ofPersonnel www.efv.admin.ch Sabine D’Amelio-Favez Director: Administration FFA Federal Finance www.sif.admin.ch for action for future future for action for budget scope creates generations.”

organisations Autonomous www.publica.ch Director: DorisBianchi PUBLICA Federal PensionFund www.efk.admin.ch Director: MichelHuissoud SFAO Swiss FederalAuditOffice www.finma.ch Director: MarkBranson FINMA Supervisory Authority Swiss FinancialMarket

Government FDF Government EAER 68 labour market. market. labour the and economy the for conditions framework defines EAER The EAER Research and Education Affairs, of EconomicFederal Department goods. essential with supplied is country the that sure of making task the has also EAER The research. promotes and training and education abroad. It for is responsible vocational organising professional and economy Swiss ofthe interests the represents and agriculture, It sets the rules that apply in the private sector private the in apply that rules the sets It

and in in and 12.71 bn 12.71 (CHF) Expenses 2019 Federal Office forAgriculture. use oflandandresources in theseactivitiesthrough the home andabroad. TheEAERnaturallyensures thecareful vation, thereby openingupmarketsforourcompaniesat my more competitiveisbypromoting research andinno lation andcutred tape.Thebestwaytomaketheecono today’s digitalageitisparticularlyimportanttolimitregu implementing thegovernment’s economicmeasures. In and encourageinnovation.TheEAERisresponsible for Swiss economythatoffer stableconditionsforbusiness setsframeworkconditionsfortheThe federalgovernment a financialcushionwhileseekingnewjob. work, unemploymentinsuranceensures thattheyhave trial relations. Andifsomeonefindsthemselvesoutof point ofcontactregarding workingconditionsandindus In thecourseofaperson’s career, theEAERisagain consider soonerorlater. and trainingissomethingthatalmostallofushaveto working lifeinthesameposition.Socontinuingeducation adays itisunusualforsomeonetospendtheirentire in Switzerlandcanfindemploymentthatsuitsthem.Now linked. Soundeducationandtrainingensure thatpeople research andeconomicaffairs, allofwhichare closely itselfwitheducation,employment,The EAERconcerns into artificialintelligence. where research isconducted ‘iCub’ robot attheEPFL A PhDstudentworkswiththe Photo left

2,104 Staff (FTEs)2019 www.wbf.admin.ch

- - - - - “COVID-19 forces to us Ineichen-Fleisch Marie-Gabrielle State Secretary: Economic Affairs SECO State Secretariat for www.wbf.admin.ch Secretary General:NathalieGoumaz General Secretariat GS-EAER President oftheSwissConfederationin2021. Member oftheFederalCouncilsince2016. Guy Parmelin,headoftheEAER. www.zivi.admin.ch Director: ChristophHartmann Service CIVI Federal Office forCivilian www.bwo.admin.ch Director: MartinTschirren FOH Federal Office forHousing www.fones.admin.ch Delegate: Werner Meier Economic SupplyFONES Federal Office forNational www.foag.admin.ch Director: ChristianHofer Agriculture FOAG Federal Office for www.seri.admin.ch Martina Hirayama State Secretary: Innovation SERI Education, Research and State Secretariat for www.seco.admin.ch things that previously that things look afresh at take seemed unshakeable.” seemed

organisations Autonomous www.innosuisse.ch Director: AnnaliseEggimann Innosuisse Swiss InnovationAgency www.sfivet.swiss Director: BarbaraFontanellaz Training SFIVET Vocational Educationand Swiss FederalInstitutefor www.ethrat.ch Michael O.Hengartner President oftheETHBoard: ETH Institutes ofTechnology Board oftheFederal www.weko.admin.ch Director: PatrikDucrey COMCO Competition Commission admin.ch www.preisueberwacher. Stefan Meierhans Price Supervisor: Supervisor Office ofthePrice

Government EAER Government DETEC 70 Roads, rail, power and the media: DETEC assures Switzerland’s basic Switzerland’s assures DETEC media: the power and rail, Roads, Communications DETECand Transport,Environment, Energy of the Federal Department public services. services. public a climate policy that is also beneficial for the economy. the for beneficial also is that policy a climate woodlands, landscape, water, air, plants and animals. DETEC pursues But it also takes care of our natural environment: environment: natural ofour takes care also it But

here athome. and gaswecancreate jobswithlong-term prospects incompatible. Onthecontrary, bymovingawayfrom oil climate policyandastrong economyare notmutually are creating orders andjobsforindustry. Aneffective Act givesaboosttorenewable energies. Inaddition,we emissions from transport,industryand buildings. Andthe 12.59 bn bn 12.59 (CHF) Expenses 2019 the CO regard totheenvironment, Parliamenthastightenedup amending theEnergyandElectricitySupplyAct.With the publicwants.We are therefore intheprocess of switch tomore solar, hydro- andwindpower. Thisiswhat expensive andharmfultotheclimate,makearapid ample, wewanttomoveawayfrom oilandgas,whichare terms ofclimateprotection. Inthefieldofenergy, forex infrastructure. DETECistherefore strivingtodomore in ping intovalleys.Allofthisposesathreat topeopleand ing, permafrost isthawing,andmountainsidesare slip ed bytheimpactofclimatechange:glaciersare melt Switzerland isanAlpinecountryandparticularlyaffect nature, peopleandtheclimate. land decidedinaseriesofpopularvotes.Thisprotects by railinsteadofroad –justasthepeopleofSwitzer able totransportevenmore goodsthrough Switzerland are consolidatingourtraffic transferpolicy. We are now has obtainedahigh-qualityregional railservice,andwe to travelmore rapidlybetweennorthandsouth,Ticino ing thecompletionofNRLA.Passengersare nowable tion ofthenewraillinkthrough theAlps–in2020, mark Gotthard followedin2016 andtheCeneri–finalsec The Lötschbergtunnelentered intooperationin2007, the 1 September2020. start oftrialoperationson Ceneri basetunnelbefore the es are madetotracksinthe Finishingtouch- August 2020: Photo left 2 Act.Thiswillenableustoreduce greenhouse gas

2,285 Staff (FTEs)2019 www.uvek.admin.ch

------“The NRLA means means NRLA “The the climate.” the Director: ChristianHegner Aviation FOCA Federal Office ofCivil www.bav.admin.ch Director: PeterFüglistaler FOT Federal Office ofTransport www.uvek.admin.ch Secretary General:MatthiasRamsauer General Secretariat GS-DETEC Member oftheFederalCouncilsince2010. Simonetta Sommaruga,headofDETEC. www.are.admin.ch Director: MariaLezzi Development ARE Federal Office forSpatial www.bafu.admin.ch Kathrin Schneeberger Director: Environment FOEN Federal Office forthe www.bakom.admin.ch Director: BernardMaissen Communications OFCOM Federal Office of www.astra.admin.ch Director: Jürg Röthlisberger FEDRO Federal RoadsOffice www.bfe.admin.ch Director: BenoîtRevaz of EnergySFOE Swiss FederalOffice www.bazl.admin.ch from our roads to rail, our rail, to roads from helping protect to us vehicles goods heavy can be transferred be transferred can

www.ensi.ch Director: Marc Kenzelmann Safety InspectorateENSI Swiss FederalNuclear organisations Autonomous www.railcom.admin.ch Patrizia DaniothHalter President: RailCom Rail Transport Commission www.postcom.admin.ch Anne Seydoux-Christe President: Commission PostCom Federal PostalServices www.ubi.admin.ch Mascha SantschiKallay President: Television ICA Authority forRadioand Independent Complaints www.comcom.admin.ch Adrienne CorboudFumagalli President: Commission ComCom Federal Communications www.elcom.admin.ch President: Werner Luginbühl Commission ElCom Federal Electricity www.sust.admin.ch President: PieterZeilstra STSB Safety InvestigationBoard Swiss Transportation www.esti.admin.ch Director: DanielOtti ESTI Heavy Current Installations Federal Inspectoratefor

Government DETEC The Judiciary The Courts The federal judges deliberate and decide the ushers are also deployed. They perform publicly on a case if they cannot reach agree- countless other tasks in addition to distributing ment in writing. Before and during the hearings, mail and files in the building.

Courts The Judiciary 74 The Courts The Judiciary The www.eidgenoessischegerichte.ch oflaw. areas all almost from cases on instance final the in rules which Court, Supreme Federal the is court highest The courts. federal four are There on disputes over patents. invention disputes on federal Federal andthe the administrative authorities Patent Court The Federal rules Administrative on Court appeals against rulings of as for appeals concerning judicial in criminal assistance matters. as to Confederation well Swiss the importance of particular matters tasks. Thedifferent Federal is Criminal responsible for Court criminal The FederalSupreme Court Presentation film

The three federal courts of first instance have instance offirst courts federal three The Court: 6years).Aone-timere-election ispossible. office is2years(withtheexceptionof FederalPatent and vice-presidents ofthecourts.The presidential termof The UnitedFederalAssemblyalsoelectsthepresidents teachers, lawyers orasseniorlegalofficials. worked asjudgesofotherinstances, courtclerks,law Usually, judgesatthefederalcourtshavepreviously land. Alawdegree isnotmandatory, butitisthenorm. There is nocompulsorybasictrainingforjudgesinSwitzer leave office attheendoftheir68 tion ispossiblewithoutrestriction. Atthe latest,judges Federal Assemblyforatermofoffice of 6years.Re-elec The judgesofthefederalcourtsare electedbytheUnited Election ofjudges th yearofage. - Court (mainseat) Court (mainseat) Federal SupremeFederal Supreme Lausanne: Lausanne: at four sites four at are locatedThe federal courts system legal Swiss the in Procedures Administrative law Criminal law Civil law Obligations, CivilCode) Civil lawdisputes(Codeof Obligations, CivilCode) Civil lawdisputes(Codeof Administration Administration Rulings oftheFederalRulings oftheFederal canton canton Rulings fromRulings from commune/ commune/ (certain offences)(certain offences) Federal criminalcasesFederal criminalcases Criminal cases Criminal cases Patent disputes Patent disputes divisions) Court (sociallaw Federal Supreme Lucerne: divisions) Court (sociallaw Federal Supreme Lucerne:

and FederalPatentCourt Federal AdministrativeCourt St. and FederalPatentCourt Federal AdministrativeCourt St.

Gallen: Gallen: commission, Government)commission, Government) tonal appealbody(Appealstonal appealbody(Appeals administrativecan- administrativecan- Internal Internal (Criminal Chamber) (Criminal Chamber) First federalinstance (District Court) (District Court) First cantonalinstance (District Court) (District Court) First cantonalinstance Federal Criminal Court Bellinzona: Federal Criminal Court Bellinzona:

Federal AdministrativeCourt Federal AdministrativeCourt Federal CriminalCourt Federal CriminalCourt

Federal PatentCourt Federal PatentCourt

cases were closed In 2019 approximately 16,000 Federal SupremeFederal Supreme Court Court Court) (Court ofappeal,cantonal Second cantonalinstance Court) (Court ofappeal,cantonal Second cantonalinstance Cantonal AdministrativeCourt Court) (Court ofappeal,cantonal Second cantonalinstance Court) (Court ofappeal,cantonal Second cantonalinstance Cantonal AdministrativeCourt Lower AppealsChamber) Lower AppealsChamber) (Higher AppealsChamber,(Higher AppealsChamber, Second federalinstance Federal CriminalCourt Federal CriminalCourt Federal AdministrativeCourt Federal AdministrativeCourt Federal PatentCourt Federal PatentCourt

Federal Supreme Court 75

Courts The Judiciary Courts Federal Supreme Court 76 and social law. social and These disputes may in civil, concern matters criminal, administrative cantons. the and government federal the between well as as cantons between state, the and citizens between citizens, between disputes law. ThiscanleadtoParliamentreformulating alaw. tributes tothedevelopmentoflawthrough itscase tion thatisnotorclearlyregulated bythelaw, itcon If theFederalSupreme Courthastoruleonalegalques law of development the to contributes It sions. administrative authoritiesalignthemselveswithitsdeci constitutional rightsofcitizens.Theothercourtsandthe sures uniformapplicationoffederallaw. Itprotects the Through itsdecisions,theFederalSupreme Courten law the of application uniform ensures It at theEuropean CourtofHumanRights. the caseofhumanrightsissues,anappealcanbelodged examines whethertheyhaveappliedthelawcorrectly. In Administrative CourtandtheFederalPatentCourt.It cantonal courts,theFederalCriminalCourt, Court rulesonappealsagainstdecisionsofthehighest As thehighestjudicialauthority, theFederalSupreme courts lower In general, it definitively examinesdecisions of Functions www.bger.ch www.eidgenoessischegerichte.ch instance highest the in rules Court Supreme Federal The Federal Court Supreme Outcome andnumberofcasesin2019 Rejected Rejected Declared inadmissible Declared inadmissible - - - - 38 ordinary38 and19 substitutejudgesworkattheFederal • • • • areas. Itconsistsof The FederalSupreme Courtisdividedaccording tolegal Organisation www.bger.ch >Rechtsprechung >Sitzungen(inGerman) Scheduled datesforpublichearings President: MarthaNiquille Lucerne. reasons, thetwosociallawdivisionsare locatedin the FederalSupreme CourtisinLausanne.Forhistorical decides onthemostimportantquestions.Theseatof by itspresident. federaljudges) Thewholecourt(all38 The FederalSupreme Courtisrepresented externally ployees (includingaround 150 courtclerks). Supreme Court.Theyare otherem assistedby350 ApprovedApproved (fully orpartially) (fully orpartially)

insurance). two sociallawdivisions(e.g.accidentanddisability a criminallawdivision two civillawdivisions(e.g.contractlaw, familylaw) two publiclawdivisions(e.g.taxes,politicalrights) on legal Written off Written off

importance orupontherequest ofajudge. five whenthecaseraiseslegalquestionsoffundamental translated. Asarule,three judgesdecide onacaseand written eitherinGerman,French orItalian andare not they speakintheirmothertongues.Thedecisionsare linguistic regions ofSwitzerland.Duringpublichearings, The judgesoftheFederalSupreme Courtcomefrom all judges five or –three Multilingual established bythelowercourts. principle, itbasesitsfindingsonthefactsastheywere The FederalSupreme Courtexamineslegalissues.In case the of No independent examination of the facts interest tothepublic. public hearingsare publishedwhentheyare ofparticular Court are Filmsequencesof publishedontheInternet. show ofhands.AlljudgmentstheFederalSupreme representatives orvisitors.Attheend,judgesvoteby often inthepresence ofthepartiestodispute,media During apublichearing,thejudgesdiscusscase, Transparent hearing isscheduled. decision isrendered. Iftheydonotallagree, apublic judges involvedinthecase.Ifallagree, the case andsubmitsawrittendraftdecisiontotheother generally inwriting.Thecompetentjudgestudiesthe The proceedings before theFederalSupreme Courtare Usually in writing Particularities Can Supreme TheFederal Court. Supreme Court Act decision, they can take theircaseto theFederal If thepartiesconcerned donot agree witha instan is possible. regulates theconditions under which anappeal tonal courts orthefederal courts offirst ce ruleinthefirstandsecond instan www.bger.ch decisions Publication of

www.bger.ch of publichearings Film sequences

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assigning casesfor thedecisionsto be drafted. ised knowledge ofacourtmemberinto accountwhen areas oflaw. Iftheseare very diverse, we take thespecial- the seven courtdivisions are eachresponsible for specific A rough kindof“specialisation” results from thefact that Supreme Court? Specialisation is a trend –alsoattheFederal publish press releases more frequently. Therefore, to better communicate ourdecisions,we now difficult for many citizensto understandlegal terminology. Yes We –and that isimportant. are aware thatitcanbe discussed inthepress… The decisions of the Federal Supreme Court are we are subjectto thesupervision of the Parliament. us. Asfar astheadministration ofthecourt isconcerned, this criticism,which is,soto speak,aninternal control for are discussedandcriticisedinscientificpapers.We address European Court ofHuman Rights. Our importantdecisions anappealcanbesubmittedour decisions.At to most, the in Switzerland. Inthisrespect, there isnojudicialreview of The Federal Supreme Court isthehighest judicial authority Is theFederal Supreme Court alsosubjectto review? vis theoutsideworld. Federal Supreme Courtvis-à- years. Sherepresents the Parliament foratermoftwo Supreme Courtiselectedby The President oftheFederal Martha Niquille Federal Supreme Court President ofthe

Courts Federal Supreme Court Courts Federal Criminal Court 78 cantons. the and Confederation the or cantons between of jurisdiction as well authorities, as on legal and prosecution assistance conflicts or other General the Attorney of Office the against appeals on President: SylviaFrei and thePlenaryAssembly(consistingofalltenured judges). management bodiesare theAdministrative Commission employeessupportthem.TheFederalCriminalCourt’s60 The Courthas20 tenured and13 part-timejudges.Some Court. Court judgmentscanbereferred totheFederalSupreme 2019. MostoftheLoweraswell HigherAppeals peals Chamber. Thelatterhasonlybeenestablishedin judgments canbesubjecttoappealbefore theHigherAp Appeals andaHigherChamber. CriminalChamber The FederalCriminalCourtconsistsofaCriminal,Lower Organisation ecution authorities. ters. Italsorulesonconflictsofjurisdictionbetweenpros providing mutualassistanceincriminalmat international federal prosecution authoritiesaswell The FederalCriminalCourtreviews rulingsissuedby money launderingaswellaviationoffences. der economiccrime,organisedcorruptionand offences involvingexplosives,counterfeiting,cross-bor nal offences committedbyoragainstfederalemployees, particular interest fortheConfederation,includingcrimi The FederalCriminalCourtrulesoncriminalcasesof Most criminaloffences are judgedbycantonalcourts. Functions www.bstger.ch Confederation. Swiss for the interest of particular The Federal rules Criminal at Court two on instances criminal cases Federal Criminal Court

- - - - - offences, aviation offences) Other offences (e.g.counterfeiting ofcurrency, explosives 29 Bribery 2 6 6 12 13 Economic crime 18 monetary penaltyintoimprisonment) Subsequent decisions(e.g.conversionof Criminal organisation Administrative criminalcases Money laundering ties regularly farexceedsahundred pages. ten judgmentinlargeproceedings involvingseveralpar measures havetobeadoptedforthehearings.Thewrit ing translationsnecessary. Attimesspecialsecurity may refer toseveralindividualsandbemultilingual,mak A criminalprocedure before theFederalCriminalCourt Large procedures Particularities offences, aviation offences) Other offences (e.g.counterfeiting ofcurrency, explosives 29 Bribery 2 6 6 12 13 18 another state. evidence (mostlybankrecords) istobehandedout Switzerland mayextraditeapersontoanotherstate,orif The LowerAppealsCourtdecidesamongstotherthingsif especially inthearea ofeconomiccrimeandterrorism. Criminal procedures relation, oftenhaveaninternational International context monetary penaltyintoimprisonment) Subsequent decisions(e.g.conversionof Criminal organisation Administrative criminalcases Economic crime Criminal Chamber:casesbysubjectmatterin2019 Money laundering It also decides decides also It

- - - Economic crime President: MarianneRyter largest federalcourt. 74With employees,itisSwitzerland’s judgesand355 only bythelaw. They performtheirdutiesindependentlyandare bound Its judgesare electedbytheUnitedFederal Assembly. als andcitizenship. asylum law;andDivisionVIonthelawforeign nation social insuranceandpublichealth;DivisionsIVVon economics, competitionandeducation;DivisionIIIon federal employmentanddataprotection; DivisionIIon Secretariat. DivisionIfocusesoninfrastructure, taxes, St. The FederalAdministrativeCourt,whichisbasedin Organisation e.g. incasesinvolvingpubliclawcontracts. legal actioninthree specificareas inthefirstinstance, hospital lists.Finally,concerning itdeliversjudgmentson suchasthosesions madebycantonalgovernments The courtalsoexaminescomplaintsagainstcertaindeci spectrum of legalissues ranging from asylum to fiscal law. administrative authorities.Ittherefore dealswithabroad the legalityofrulingsmadebythefederalconcerning The FederalAdministrativeCourtdecidesonappeals Functions www.bvger.ch @BVGer_Schweiz made by federal administrative authorities. The Federal handles appeals Administrative against Court rulings Federal Administrative Court responsible for court administration. forresponsible court is which Secretariat, General the and divisions ofsix composed is court The authorities. by cantonal made reviews decisions

Gallen, iscomposedofsixdivisionsandtheGeneral

- - Supreme Court to theFederal Not appealable Most ofitsjudgmentsare final. sions –mostlyinwritingGerman, French andItalian. Each year, the courtrenders anaverageof7,500 deci final Partly hearings orinspectionsundertakenincertaincases. Expert opinionsmaybecommissionedandpreparatory ties, butestablishestherelevant facts ofthecaseitself. lower-court proceedings andtheargumentsofpar Court doesnotrely solelyonthefactsestablished inthe In theeventofalegaldispute,FederalAdministrative investigations Own Particularities 7157 caseswere closedin2019 Supreme Court to theFederal Not appealable In certain areas, it also also it areas, certain In

Court Federal Supreme Appealable tothe Court Federal Supreme Appealable tothe Supreme Court to theFederal Thereof appealed Supreme Court to theFederal Thereof appealed - - 79

Courts Federal Administrative Court Courts Federal Patent Court 80 be in English. in be can briefs and pleadings parties, ofthe agreement the With actors. itsmallest deals regularly of international with federal the courts, President: MarkSchweizer come from French-speaking Switzerland. hear casesinthecantons,e.g.Neuchâtel,ifparties Administrative Court.TheFederalPatentCourtcanalso place, theyare heldinthebuildingof nearbyFederal does nothaveitsowncourtroom. Ifcourt hearingstake The seatoftheFederalPatentCourtisinSt. basis. bers workfortheFederalPatentCourtonapermanent another judge,twocourtclerksandoffice staff mem in thecourt.Thepresident oftheFederal PatentCourt, work forthecourtbuttheydonothavetheirownoffices not splitintodifferent divisions. The FederalPatentCourtisthesmallestfederalcourt.It Organisation appealed totheFederalSupreme Court. matter fortheFederalPatentCourt.Itsjudgmentsmaybe relating topatentdisputes.Sincethen,theyhavebeena Until 2012, thecantonalcourtshadjurisdictioninmatters licensing. patent orhowamaybeusedinthecontextof fringed. Itmustalsodecidewhoisthelegalholderofa assesses whetherexistingpatentrightsare beingin ment meetstherequirements forpatentprotection; italso Patent Courtdecideswhetheranewtechnicaldevelop legally protected. Intheeventofadispute,Federal apatent,the‘intellectualproperty’ of an inventionisWith Developing atechnicalideausuallycostslotofmoney. Functions www.bundespatentgericht.ch/en to patents. relating disputes decides Court Patent Federal The Federal Patent Court 41 non-permanent judges

Gallen. It - - -

cases bytechnicalfieldreceived in2019 avoided. and costlyopinionsfrom expertscan usuallybe external fast andcost-effective proceedings, astime-consuming ate technicalexpertiseare therefore involved,enabling technical issuesinitsproceedings. Judgeswithappropri The FederalPatentCourtregularly dealswithcomplex Judges with technical expertise conduct proceedings inEnglishifeveryone agrees. technology. Thepartiestothedisputemaytherefore also Patent Court;Englishisalsooftenusedinthefieldof actorsfrequentlyInternational appearbefore theFederal alanguage as permitted also is English Particularities Textiles, paper Textiles, paper (incl. pharmaceuticals) (incl. pharmaceuticals) Human necessities Human necessities Mechanical engineering, Mechanical engineering, lighting, heating lighting, heating

Physics Physics Construction, earth Construction, earth Performing operations; Performing operations; Chemistry, metallurgy Chemistry, metallurgy drilling, mining drilling, mining transporting transporting Electronics Electronics The The

- federal courts delivered byJudgments the Judgment A-2138/2020 sanction bythree percent. founded andreduced the some accusationsasun- respects. However, itrejected duty ofloyaltyinseveral breached hisofficial dutyand General hadseriously upheld thattheAttorney Federal AdministrativeCourt one year. Initsjudgment,the percent salaryreduction for imposinganeight 2020, GeneralinMarchthe Attorney GeneralsanctionedAttorney Authority fortheOffice of the official duty, theSupervisory Due tovariousbreaches of General Attorney Judgment 5A_789/2019 welfare. case, withthechildren’s incompatible, inaparticular if themeaslesvaccinationis should onlybediffered from, into consideration.This Health mustalsobetaken Federal Office ofPublic recommendations ofthe the children’s welfare. The principle forthisdecisionis them. Thehighestguiding tent authoritymustdecidefor against measles,thecompe- to vaccinatetheirchildren custody cannotagree whether ifparents withjoint2020, Federal Supreme Courtof According toarulingbythe Measles vaccination BGE 145 I207 subsequently identified. irregularities, whichwere different withouttheserious of thevotecouldhavebeen narrowly rejected, theresult cause theinitiativewasonly theproposal.cerning Be- about importantfactscon- ency informedthevoters and withinsufficient transpar al Councilhadincompletely the conclusionthatFeder Couples”. TheCourtcameto Discrimination ofMarried riage andFamily–Againstthe initiative “InFavourofMar federal voteonthepopular the2016Court overturned In 2019, theFederalSupreme Referendum - - - Judgment O2017_007 on penaltyofafine. stein, amongotheractivities, Switzerland andLiechten- protected bythepatentin devices, whichhavefeatures prohibited from distributing purposes. Thedefendantis animated lungfordiagnostic on ascreen intheformof an from thepatientare displayed certain respiratory values a patentforventilatorswhere complaint ofacompanywith Court partiallyupheldthe In 2019, theFederalPatent Ventilator Court) by theFederalSupreme (confirmedDecree BH.2020.7 is reasonable. half yearssofar detention lastingthree and a offences andthatpre-trial guilty oftheinvestigated strong suspicionthatheis concluded thatthere isa Lower AppealsChamber crimes againsthumanity. The ings againsthiminvestigating conducting criminalproceed- General ofSwitzerlandis The Office oftheAttorney lease from pre-trial detention. Minister requesting hisre - Gambia’s formerInterior Court rejected theappealof theFederalCriminal In 2020, Pre-trial detention Judgment E-6713/2019 procedure. asylum usingtheextended re-evaluate theapplicationfor The SEMwasinstructedto calendardays.standard 30 file anappealinsteadofthe time limitof7workingdaysto dure, resulting inonlyashort not optedforextendedproce tariat forMigration(SEM)had of thecase,StateSecre basis. Despitethecomplexity decided onanaccelerated dure were dealtwithand asylum seekerwhoseproce- approved theappealofan Federal AdministrativeCourt In alandmarkjudgment,the Asylum procedure

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Design Wapico AG, Bern Fabienne Grossen, Bern (cover)

Photos Annette Boutellier (p. 6, 16, 28, 60, 62, 64, 66, 68, 72) Béatrice Devènes (p. 35, 36, 45, 77) Markus A. Jegerlehner (p. 46/47, 50/51) Rolf Weiss (p. 3, 57) FDFA (p. 58) AlpTransit San Gottardo SA (p. 70) Beat Mumenthaler (p. 71) Keystone-SDA: Markus A. Jegerlehner (p. 53); Gaëtan Bally (p. 59, 61); Alessandro della Valle (p. 63, 65); Anthony Anex (p. 67, 69)

Historic photos on pages 10/11 (chronological) Old Confederation: State Archive Schwyz Helvetic Republic: Swiss National Museum (SNM) Mediation: SNM Federal Treaty: Wikimedia Commons Sonderbund War: SNM Federal Constitution: SNM Expanded democracy: Wikimedia Commons First World War, General Strike: SNM Proportional representation: Wikimedia Commons Second World War: Hans Tomamichel/SNM Equal opportunities: SNM Third Federal Constitution: Wikimedia Commons

Editorial deadline 12 January 2021

Print run Total 170 000 German 102 000 French 38 000 Italian 16 000 Romansh 2 000 English 12 000

Printing and prepress production Vogt-Schild Druck AG

Distribution This publication can be obtained free of charge from the Federal Office for Buildings and Logistics FOBL www.bundespublikationen.admin.ch Art. No. 104.617.e

43rd edition, February 2021

82 www.admin.ch www.ch.ch www.parliament.ch

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