Members of the Council of States The rules for elections to the small chamber vary from one canton to another; however, the term of office is always four years as in the National Council.

ZH 1 Trix GL 13 This AR 25 Hans VD 37 Michel Heberlein Jenny Altherr Béguelin FDP, 2003 SVP, 1998 FDP, 2004 SP, 1999 [3] [5] [10] [1] [6] [8] [12] [1] [5] [7] [2] [3] [7] ZH 2 Hans GL 14 Fritz AI 26 Carlo VD 38 Christiane Hofmann Schiesser Schmid-Sutter Langenberger SVP, 1998 FDP, 1990 CVP, 1980 FDP, 1999 [2] [6] [8] [4] [9] [11] [3] [6] [10] [4] [5] [7]

BE 3 Hans ZG 15 Peter SG 27 Eugen VS 39 Simon Lauri Bieri David Epiney SVP, 2001 CVP, 1995 CVP, 1999 CVP, 1999 [1] [9] [4] [7] [8] [4] [5] [9] [1] [6] [11] BE 4 Simonetta ZG 16 Rolf SG 28 Erika VS 40 Rolf Sommaruga Schweiger Forster-Vannini Escher SP, 2003 FDP, 1999 FDP, 1995 CVP, 1999 [3] [6] [9] [11] [1] [6] [11] [5] [6] [9] [2] [6] [8] [10]

LU 5 Helen FR 17 Alain GR 29 Christoffel NE 41 Pierre Leumann-Würsch Berset Brändli Bonhôte FDP, 1995 SP, 2003 SVP, 1995 SP, 2005 [2] [7] [9] [1] [9] [11] [12] [5] [6] [8] [2] [10] [11] LU 6 Franz FR 18 Urs GR 30 Theo NE 42 Gisèle Wicki Schwaller Maissen Ory CVP, 1995 CVP, 2003 CVP, 1995 SP, 2003 [2] [9] [11] [1] [5] [7] [3] [4] [7] [12] [2] [4] [5]

UR 7 Hansheiri SO 19 Rolf AG 31 Thomas GE 43 Christiane Inderkum Büttiker Pfisterer Brunner CVP, 1995 FDP, 1991 FDP, 1999 SP, 1995 [6] [10] [11] [6] [8] [10] [1] [6] [8] [3] [5] [10] UR 8 Hansruedi SO 20 Ernst AG 32 Maximilian GE 44 Françoise Stadler Leuenberger Reimann Saudan CVP, 1999 SP, 1999 SVP, 1995 FDP, 1995 [2] [4] [11] [1] [8] [9] [3] [7] [10] [2] [3] [10]

SZ 9 Bruno BS 21 Anita TG 33 Hermann JU 45 Madeleine Frick Fetz Bürgi Amgwerd CVP, 1991 SP, 2003 SVP, 1999 CVP, 2003 [3] [5] [9] [1] [4] [5] [4] [7] [11] [2] [4] [7] SZ 10 Alex BL 22 Hans TG 34 Philipp JU 46 Pierre-Alain Kuprecht Fünfschilling Stähelin Gentil SVP, 2003 FDP, 1999 CVP, 1999 SP, 1995 [2] [5] [7] [10] [1] [4] [8] [1] [3] [5] [7] [8] [10]

OW 11 Hans SH 23 Peter TI 35 Filippo Hess Briner Lombardi FDP, 1998 FDP, 1999 CVP, 1999 [2] [7] [8] [11] [2] [3] [10] [12] [1] [6] [8] [12] The year of election into the Council is stated NW 12 Marianne SH 24 Hannes TI 36 Dick Slongo Germann Marty after the member’s party affiliation; the figures CVP, 1999 SVP, 2002 FDP, 1995 in brackets refer to the committees to which [8] [9] [10] [3] [4] [9] [11] [3] [9] [11] the member belongs (see page 27).

21 Members of the National Council Elections to the large chamber are held once every four years. The Federal Constitution guarantees at least one seat for each canton. In the cantons entitled to more than one seat because of their population, the people have elected their deputies by a system of proportional representation since 1919; that means that the number of seats held by the parties in the Council is roughly equivalent to the share of votes cast for them.

ZH 1 Max ZH 21 Vreni BE 41 Peter LU 61 Franz ZG 81 Marcel Binder Müller-Hemmi Vollmer Brun Scherer SVP, 1991 SP, 1995 SP, 1989 CVP, 2003 SVP, 1999 [2] [8] [3] [4] [1] [8] [8] [12] [5] [12] ZH 2 Toni ZH 22 Anita BE 42 Ursula LU 62 Josef FR 82 Dominique Bortoluzzi Thanei Wyss Leu de Buman SVP, 1991 SP, 1995 SP, 1999 CVP, 1991 CVP, 2003 [5] [12] [11] [6] [10] [7] [9] [9] ZH 3 Hans ZH 23 Felix BE 43 Adrian LU 63 Ruedi FR 83 Thérèse Fehr Gutzwiller Amstutz Lustenberger Meyer SVP, 1995 FDP, 1999 SVP, 2003 CVP, 1999 CVP, 1999 [10] [5] [10] [6] [10] [5] [10] ZH 4 Hans ZH 24 Rolf BE 44 Ursula LU 64 Josef FR 84 Erwin Kaufmann Hegetschweiler Haller Kunz Jutzet SVP, 1999 FDP, 1991 SVP, 1999 SVP, 1995 SP, 1995 [1] [9] [6] [8] [7] [4] [6] [3] [11] ZH 5 Robert ZH 25 Markus BE 45 Rudolf LU 65 Otto FR 85 Christian Keller Hutter Joder Laubacher Levrat SVP, 1999 FDP, 2003 SVP, 1999 SVP, 1999 SP, 2003 [6] [12] [1] [10] [11] [8] [8] ZH 6 Ueli ZH 26 Filippo BE 46 Fritz Abraham LU 66 Felix FR 86 Hugo Maurer Leutenegger Oehrli Müri Fasel SVP, 1991 FDP, 2003 SVP, 1995 SVP, 2003 CSP, 1991 [1] [1] [2] [7] [3] [2] [5] ZH 7 Christoph ZH 27 Ruedi BE 47 Simon LU 67 Otto FR 87 Jean-Paul Mörgeli Noser Schenk Ineichen Glasson SVP, 1999 FDP, 2003 SVP, 1994 FDP, 2003 FDP, 1999 [3] [2] [4] [8] [4] [2] [11] ZH 8 Hans ZH 28 Ruth BE 48 Walter LU 68 Georges FR 88 Jean-François Rutschmann Genner Schmied Theiler Rime SVP, 2004 GP, 1998 SVP, 1991 FDP, 1995 SVP, 2003 [6] [12] [4] [9] [3] [6] [8] [9] ZH 9 Ernst ZH 29 Daniel BE 49 Hansruedi LU 69 Louis SO 89 Boris Schibli Vischer Wandfluh Schelbert Banga SVP, 2001 GP, 2003 SVP, 1999 GP, ab 6.3.2006 SP, 1995 [3] [10] [11] [9] [3] [7] ZH 10 Ulrich ZH 30 Kathy BE 50 Hermann LU 70 Hans SO 90 Bea Schlüer Riklin Weyeneth Widmer Heim SVP, 1995 CVP, 1999 SVP, 1994 SP, 1996 SP, 2003 [3] [7] [2] [4] [1] [10] [4] [7] [10] ZH 11 Jürg ZH 31 Rosmarie BE 51 Christa UR 71 Gabi SO 91 Roland Stahl Zapfl Markwalder Bär Huber Borer SVP, 1999 CVP, 1995 FDP, 2003 FDP, 2003 SVP, 1991 [5] [6] [3] [3] [11] [11] [5] [7] ZH 12 Bruno ZH 32 Ruedi BE 52 Johann N. SZ 72 Peter SO 92 Walter Zuppiger Aeschbacher Schneider Föhn Wobmann SVP, 1999 EVP, 1999 FDP, 1999 SVP, 1995 SVP, 2003 [1] [9] [6] [11] [9] [8] [3] ZH 13 Jacqueline ZH 33 Martin BE 53 Pierre SZ 73 Pirmin SO 93 Kurt Fehr Bäumle Triponez Schwander Fluri SP, 1998 glp, 2003 FDP, 1999 SVP, 2003 FDP, 2003 [5] [8] [6] [12] [5] [1] [10] [11] ZH 14 Mario ZH 34 Markus BE 54 Kurt SZ 74 Josi SO 94 Rudolf Fehr Wäfler Wasserfallen Gyr-Steiner Steiner SP, 1999 EDU, 2003 FDP, 1999 SP, 2003 FDP, 1993 [3] [1] [2] [7] [2] [12] [1] [6] ZH 15 Chantal BE 35 Evi BE 55 Therese SZ 75 Reto SO 95 Elvira Galladé Allemann Frösch Wehrli Bader SP, 2003 SP, 2003 GB, 2003 CVP, 2003 CVP, 1999 [4] [8] [1] [5] [6] ZH 16 Christine BE 36 André BE 56 Franziska OW 76 Adrian BS 96 Remo Goll Daguet Teuscher Imfeld Gysin SP, 1991 SP, 2003 GP, 1995 CVP, 2001 SP, 1995 [5] [2] [5] [8] [7] [11] [3] [9] ZH 17 Andreas BE 37 Paul BE 57 Walter NW 77 Eduard BS 97 Rudolf Gross Günter Donzé Engelberger Rechsteiner SP, 1991 SP, 1979–91, 1995 EVP, 2000 FDP, 1995 SP, 1995 [10] [7] [12] [7] [10] [7] [10] [5] [6] ZH 18 Barbara BE 38 Margret BE 58 Bernhard GL 78 Werner BS 98 Silvia Haering Kiener Nellen Hess Marti Schenker SP, 1990 SP, 2003 SD, 1999 SP, 1991 SP, 2003 [7] [1] [1] [8] [5] ZH 19 Vreni BE 39 Hans BE 59 Norbert ZG 79 Josef BS 99 Jean Henri Hubmann Stöckli Hochreutener Lang Dunant SP, 1995 SP, 2004 CVP, 1995–99, 2003 SGA, 2003 SVP, 1999 [10] [11] [10] [12] [8] [11] [7] [5] ZH 20 Barbara BE 40 Ruth-Gaby BE 60 Christian ZG 80 Gerhard BS 100 Johannes Marty Kälin Vermot-Mangold Waber Pfister Randegger SP, 2000 SP, 1995 EDU, 1997 CVP, 2003 FDP, 1995 [6] [10] [2] [3] [10] [4]

22 The year of election into the Council is stated after the member’s party affiliation; the figures in brackets refer to the committees to which the member belongs (see page 27).

BL 101 Caspar SG 121 Walter AG 141 Doris VD 161 Pierre-François VS 181 Oskar Baader Müller Leuthard Veillon Freysinger SVP, 1998 FDP, 2003 CVP, 1999 SVP, 2003 SVP, 2003 [9] [3] [9] [2] [4] BL 102 Christian SG 122 Peter AG 142 Geri VD 162 Yves VS 182 Jean-René Miesch Weigelt Müller Christen Germanier SVP, 1991–95, 2003 FDP, 1995 GP, 2003 FDP, 1995 FDP, 2003 [7] [8] [12] [2] [3] [6] [10] [8] BL 103 Claude SG 123 Pia AG 143 Heiner VD 163 Charles NE 183 Didier Janiak Hollenstein Studer Favre Berberat SP, 1999 GP, 1991 EVP, 1999 FDP, 1999 SP, 1995 [2] [7] [8] [3] [4] [9] [9] BL 104 Susanne Leutenegger GR 124 Brigitta M. TG 144 J. Alexander VD 164 Yves NE 184 Valérie Oberholzer Gadient Baumann Guisan Garbani SP, 1987–91, 1999 SVP, 1995 SVP, 1995 FDP, 1995 SP, 1999 [9] [11] [2] [4] [11] [5] [7] [11] BL 105 Maya GR 125 Hansjörg TG 145 Peter VD 165 René NE 185 Didier Graf Hassler Spuhler Vaudroz Burkhalter GP, 2001 SVP, 1999 SVP, 1999 FDP, 1999 FDP, 2003 [4] [5] [9] [7] [7] [11] BL 106 Hans Rudolf GR 126 Duri TG 146 Hansjörg VD 166 Marlyse NE 186 Francine Gysin Bezzola Walter Dormond Béguelin John-Calame FDP, 1987 FDP, 1991 SVP, 1999 SP, 1999 GP, 2005 [9] [7] [8] [9] [1] [3] BL 107 Walter GR 127 Sep TG 147 Edith VD 167 Roger NE 187 Yvan Jermann Cathomas Graf-Litscher Nordmann Perrin CVP, 2003 CVP, 2003 SP, 2005 SP, 2004 SVP, 2003 [8] [2] [6] [2] [6] [10] SH 108 Gerold GR 128 Andrea TG 148 Brigitte VD 168 Pierre GE 188 Liliane Bührer Hämmerle Häberli-Koller Salvi Maury Pasquier FDP, 1991 SP, 1991 CVP, 2003 SP, 2002 SP, 1995 [3] [9] [8] [11] [2] [4] [7] [3] [5] SH 109 Hans-Jürg AG 129 Lieni TG 149 Werner VD 169 Géraldine GE 189 Maria Fehr Füglistaller Messmer Savary Roth-Bernasconi SP, 1999 SVP, 2005 FDP, 1999 SP, 2003 SP, 1995–99, 2003 [9] [4] [6] [12] [4] [2] [10] [12] AR 110 Marianne AG 130 Ulrich TI 150 Fabio VD 170 Serge GE 190 Carlo Kleiner Giezendanner Abate Beck Sommaruga FDP, 2003 SVP, 1991 FDP, 2000 Lib., 1998 SP, 2003 [1] [8] [1] [2] [10] [11] AI 111 Arthur AG 131 Walter TI 151 Fulvio VD 171 Claude GE 191 Martine Loepfe Glur Pelli Ruey Brunschwig Graf CVP, 1999 SVP, 1999 FDP, 1995 Lib., 1999 Lib., 2003 [1] [7] [2] [9] [5] [4] SG 112 Elmar AG 132 Hans Ulrich TI 152 Laura VD 172 Marianne GE 192 Jacques-Simon Bigger Mathys Sadis Huguenin Eggly SVP, 1999 SVP, 1999 FDP, 2003 PdA, 2003 Lib., 1983 [6] [2] [11] [4] [3] SG 113 Toni AG 133 Ulrich TI 153 Franco VD 173 Josef GE 193 Jacques Brunner Siegrist Cavalli Zisyadis Pagan SVP, 1995 SVP, 1999 SP, 1995 PdA, 1991–96, 1999 SVP, 2003 [2] [6] [7] [11] [4] [11] SG 114 Jasmin AG 134 Luzi TI 154 Fabio VD 174 Anne-Catherine GE 194 André Hutter Stamm Pedrina Menétrey-Savary Reymond SVP, 2003 SVP, 1991 SP, 1999 GP, 1999 SVP, 2003 [10] [3] [11] [2] [8] [6] [11] [6] SG 115 Theophil AG 135 Pascale TI 155 Meinrado VD 175 Luc GE 195 Luc Pfister Bruderer Robbiani Recordon Barthassat SVP, 1999 SP, 2002 CVP, 1999 GP, 2003 CVP, 2005 [1] [4] [4] [6] [5] [9] [4] SG 116 Jakob AG 136 Urs TI 156 Chiara VS 176 Viola GE 196 John Büchler Hofmann Simoneschi-Cortesi Amherd Dupraz CVP, 2003 SP, 1999 CVP, 1999 CVP, 2005 FDP, 1995 [7] [12] [1] [4] [8] [11] [3] SG 117 Lucrezia AG 137 Doris TI 157 Attilio VS 177 Maurice GE 197 Ueli Meier-Schatz Stump Bignasca Chevrier Leuenberger CVP, 1999 SP, 1995 Lega, 2003 CVP, 1999 GP, 2003 [2] [9] [4] [6] [8] [6] [11] [10] SG 118 Felix AG 138 Christine VD 158 André VS 178 Christophe GE 198 Pierre Walker Egerszegi-Obrist Bugnon Darbellay Vanek CVP, 1999 FDP, 1995 SVP, 1999 CVP, 2003 Solidarités, 2003 [1] [5] [1] [7] [1] [3] SG 119 Hildegard AG 139 Philipp VD 159 Jean VS 179 Jean-Noël JU 199 Pierre Fässler-Osterwalder Müller Fattebert Rey Kohler SP, 1997 FDP, 2003 SVP, 1999 SP, 2003 CVP, 2003 [1] [9] [10] [4] [8] [1] [1] SG 120 Paul AG 140 Ruth VD 160 Guy VS 180 Stéphane JU 200 Jean-Claude Rechsteiner Humbel Näf Parmelin Rossini Rennwald SP, 1986 CVP, 2003 SVP, 2003 SP, 1999 SP, 1995 [5] [9] [5] [5] [2] [5] [3] [9]

23 1st Vice-President 2nd Vice-President AG VD

GE

é

Christine

Andr

Luc

Bugnon

Barthassat

Egerszegi-Obrist

LU NW

er Otto

Federal Councillors Eduard

Laubach Engelberger

VD JU VS

The United Federal Assembly Tellers

l

é

ë Rey

The two Councils meet in the National Council Chamber to elect the Federal Ren

Pierre

Kohler Vaudroz

Council, the Federal Chancellor and the Federal Court and to decide on pardons Jean-No and disputes over respective powers. The members of the Council of States n Peter tz Föhn driastu take their seats at the back of the Chamber. SZ A r Am in de h an BE Pirmhw ri Ulric üer Sc Felixü çois M ZH Schl SZ

LU lter Jean-Fran Hans Ulrich Wa Rime AG Mathys Ulrich Glur FR Siegrist AG alter Christian W obmann Miesch Lieni W oni glistaller Hans s AG T luzzi Fü S oi Borto A Kaufmann O ç ZH G Roland B ZH enri L H Borer an t Christophrgeli n ürg ö Je unan SO J M D illo Ulrich ZH Pierre-Fran Stahl Ve AG Giezendanner ZH t B é elin an er S b rm Je Andr m atte eymond Guy R il VD Pa zi Ernst F h p Peter chibli V Lu S D GE o r Stam Spuhler ZH he te Attilio van Bignasca TG Y T fis VD ar Perrin P no r Elm ger ru ige ig NE AG B pp B SG Zu Rudolf TI SG n obert ZH Joder R eller r K Jasmi ni BE To Hutte Ursula Bernhard er Hess n Brunner SG Haller ZH h fler a c SG ä r rg Markus e ö W ba j Hans BE b risti i s r Simon h n a h Fehr d a sle Schenk B c C e H s s é E W

a u H ZH e R A GR el Oskar BE ZH rc r Freysinger ere Ma Jean-Ren B ch Germanier E S VS ZH Jacques Z f G e Pagan Didier VS Burkhalter a os z s gger r J n Ku GE pa J. Alexander Laur as er ann Baumann Sadi s C NE u LU s m r aad Filippo B an ch Leutene H ts af ark BL u TG e utte R M. M i d t u TI H r y li e t Gabi Council of States e r itta e Huber Kur u ZH Flur U a ien Cla u e rig d R ZH M B a r Madeleine G rg ä Amgwerd ZH jö B ZH s r Martin JU n VD Brunschwig Gr er UR Max G a lte io R H a b te ld SO Binder W a a Pierre-Alain Fa h Ab Gentil ZH GE JU TG hrista arkw Hansruediandflu C M W TI Marianne BE Kleiner er Jacques-Simon Otto Fritz Abraham BE Ineichen e ller l Eggly uedi os è Oehrli n ller ü R th l N ü an e Philipp Gis M

Walter au AR M Ory BE erm GE Serge H eyen Beck on n-P LU NE te W ss ô ea Pierre J la ZH VD G . AG Bonh BE N SG l er e n NE h Charles n id ic uelin Favre e M g FR ha n é o h B ves c J f Y S Guisan n VD e VD er Johannes Christiane es ist Randegger v r asserfallen Langenberger Y h Kurt n VD B W C E riponez erner Pierre n T VD W raz Messm

Hans Rudol rgi Gysi Hermannü oh BS B J up VD D r BE helin TG Philippä BE Georges ille Theiler TG St GE BL

Felix TG Gutzw LU d eiler l Fluvio Pelli Theo ffe hrer Maissen Z ü H Gerol dli B riston ä Rudolf Ch r Steiner zola olf T ri GR B r I eigelt

R u Hegetschw ez

Peter W

D B Hans SH GR Alther ng mid-Sutter SO Carlo ch ZH AR S SG GR nfschilli Hans ü F AI r Anita Fetz B alle L Alain Berset w s er BS Ur rsch Sch ü

This FR Jenny

Fritz Schiess FR in Alex Kuprecht rle

Bruno GL Frick Helen be Leumann-W

e Franz rix Wicki

T GL H

Hans SZ Hofmann SZ LU LU ZH ZH

24 President Secretary General Distribution of the 246 seats Mariangela in the Council of States (A) and Wallimann-Bornatico Secretaries and BL interpreters in the National Council (B) (A) (B) 8 55 SVP Swiss People’s Party

2 EDU Federal Democratic Union

Claude Janiak 1 SD Swiss Democrats Committee Spokepersons 1 Lega Ticino League 4 Lib. Liberal Party 14 36 FDP Radical Free Democratic Party Federal 11 GP Green Party Councillors 1 GB Green Alliance 1 SGA Socialist Green Alternative BE LU BE 1 glp Green Liberal Party Tellers

3 EVP Evangelical People’s Party

nter

Paul

Brun

alter ü

Franz 15 28 CVP Christian Democratic People’s Party

G W Schmied 1 CSP Christian Social Party Ro th-B 9 52 SP Social Democratic Party erna Ma ZisyadisJosef sconria i 2 PdA Worker’s Party Maria Gé Huguenin r GE ald S in D 1 Solidarités nne av e Berb id VD ar ier y era Som t Leuenberger Recordon m Ca Jean-Clau aru rlo VD NE D g NordmannRoger Renn Luc V a de C hristia wal Ueli d L M e GE a vrat n V D rlys JU a VD orm e G lé Bé o Pierre arb rie gu nd Hans Vanek a elin Wid VD ni mer S GE FR té M Therese A E p VD Anne-Catherine h D nd N R a LU en n Andreas Fr ag ré os e F ö u si é ra e n B Te sch i Gross oris trey-S t John-Calame n B u GE anga zisk Pierre sch Maury Pasquier Erwin Salvi VS Francine Jutzet BE ZH avary er a Hans SO St Mario BE Liliane öckli P F Fehr e abio dr FR VD in Franco E a B H BE Hollenstein Z A Cavall Peter lle Vollmer VD ma E I i E v T NE Pia G nn i

M Ursula Edith TI E B G a L Graf Rem ya e Wyss B Martin ra u Su Oberholzete Gysin o ä f s BE umle n an Vermot-Mangol e Heiner G Doris Studer S g ne S Ruth-Gaby g tu TG Walter e S Donz m r p B r BE BL G Hubmann y Vreni d é Ja r-Steiner cq J AG u ZH os Rechsteiner e E BL lin B G y Rudolf Fe e A Hugo hr Schelbert Fasel H BE Marty K Z We Louis Barbara Marn SZ er ZH G rt ä i Hofmann enner S Rut lin H A Urs B ä n Josef m d h Lang M FR m r L Vischer er e G Daniel a Hans-J ü Geri le ller ZH Christine LU H B AG eim e ü Chantal a M Fehrrg Gallad G R ZH ü oll G lle Barbar Kiener Nelle BrudererPascale r-Hem ZG V Haerin é reni AG a SH Margret SO ZH mi ZH Rechsteiner g S Council of States c Paul h S ZH M Hildegard H e n B ilv Ost Z Jakob n einra ü Rob ZH Gerhar ke Cathomas chler ia erwFä Pfister r AG Do b ssler- W Chris ia d alder d m o R ehrli e ni Sep eto iniq SG Brunnertian d BE C B hris um e D u ThaneiAnita BS arb an e Fran to G ella p TI S Saudanç SG h oise e GE ZG Elvira y GR SZ Bader Amherd FR Simon M ZH Viola Chevrieauric Epiney Leuthard

Hochreutener GE Dori VS Th e Walker r é EscherRolf Felix s Simoneschi- Jerm M Adrian r Norbert Imfeld è W SO eyer se Chiara VS alter M Cortesi ann VS D eier VS M ic ar k Lucrezia ty AG -Schatz Lom F VS ilipp Rosmarie FR SG H b a o ä rdi OW berli-Koller TI BE BL Zapfl Brigitt TI Maximilia Lustenbe Reimann TI Josef G Humbel N e S

Leu Ruedi Forster-Vannini Tho n P L Arth rger fis o H m e Z R Ka terer

Ruth pfe a

ik u s

th r lin Erika ä TG y f AG LU E D u g LU a e AG vid n AI Brin Pete Germann ZH AG Hannes e r SG Leuenberger r B ü SG ttiker Rolf

Ernst S SH ch P B e w ieri te Mariann eige SH R r Hansheiri S Inderkum Hansruedi Hans olf Slongo o Hess S SO m r im

Stadler

m o SO aruga e netta

H Lauri

ans ZG ZG OW NW UR UR BE BE

25 The political parties Political parties are groupings of like-minded people that have their own philosophies of life – in other words, a particular view of the State, society and the economy, etc. They must balance their actions and opinions between efforts to strive for the general good and those of particular interest groups. They act as a link between the people and the institutions of the State. The positioning of the parties in the National Council reveal how close or how distant they are in relation to one another: the more two parties voted against each other, the greater the distance between them on the chart. Naturally enough, these positions are not fixed but constantly fluctuating.

“Liberal”

Lib. 4

36

FDP 28

CVP 52 SP 3 EVP “Left” Lega 1 “Right” CSP 55 1 GB 1 1 glp 1 SGA 11 SVP GP

2 1 PdA The coloured circles show the current positions, Solidarités based on 277 votes in 2005, and the plain cir- cles show the positions in the last legislative period from 1999 to 2003 in which there were EDU more than 2,300 votes. The chart is a geometric representation of voting patterns along the 2 most important lines of political conflict: the 1 SD horizontal axis shows the political leanings from left to right, and the vertical axis those “Conservative” from liberal to conservative.

The parliamentary groups Parliamentary groups are formed by deputies either of the same party, or parties sharing the same political sympathies. At least five deputies are needed to form a parliamentary group. In the small chamber, all 46 members belong to a parliamentary group, in the large chamber almost all do: only five National Councillors have no affiliation.

Council of States National Council Total Groups are entitled to appoint representatives to the parliamen- Radical Free Democratic Group 14 36 + 4 54 tary committees. Parliamentary Social Democratic Group 9 52 61 group meetings serve to enable preliminary discussions on Group of the Swiss People’s Party 8 55 + 1 64 Council business with a view to Christian Democratic Group 15 28 43 agreeing the line to be followed

Green Group 11+1+1+1 14 during parliamentary debate. The committee members inform their Group of the EVP and the EDU 3 2 5 colleagues in the parliamentary Total 46 195 241 groups of the proposals laid before them.

26 The committees and delegations In order to prepare items of business, the two chambers each have twelve standing committees, two supervisory committees (1–2) and ten legislative committees (3–12). In addition, there are also a number of other committees and delegations dealing with a range of specific issues.

Council of States National Council

1. Finance Committee (FC) 20 34 18 35 39 16 22 25 31 17 21 3 13 50 94 4 6 12 73 115 158 38 41 78 119 136 166 179 25 26 110 150 111 118 178 199 55 34

2. Control Committee (CC) 8 11 6 40455 23443741422 10 54 161 1 46 113 124 131 132 36 74 103 147 154 180 189 30 117 127 148 27 87 170 86 142 60

3. Foreign Affairs Committee (FAC) 34 36 9 26 30 1 23 44 4 37 43 24 32 134 142 7 9 10 48 66 92 14 21 84 89 96 188 200 51 108 121 196 31 80 178 186 192 143 4. Committee for Science, Education and Culture (CSEC) 21 33 8 15 27 30 45 5 14 22 38 24 42 30 169 15 21 70 135 137 153 64 115 124 129 159 181 148 156 195 27 67 100 152 28 105 191 143

5. Committee for Social Security and Health (CSSH) 28 18 1 25 38 9 27 34 21 42 43 10 29 53 11 2 81 91 99 125 160 13 16 97 98 120 180 188 23 138 164 75 83 140 155 86 171 56 6. Committee for the Environment, Spatial Planning and Energy (CESPE) 2639 7 3540161928312 13294 20 113 5 8 11 64 112 194 42 97 135 137 167 24 68 94 149 162 63 95 127 177 174 32 33

7. Defence Committee (DefC)

3325 5 11381518304510323746 18 10 44 46 91 102 133 158 37 70 89 168 184 54 77 126 165 185 62 76 111 116 57 79 123 8. Committee for Transportation and Telecommunications (CTT) 31 13 11 19 22 12 15 35 40 2 29 20 46 61 78 13 35 41 85 128 154 1 47 65 72 130 159 24 68 122 126 182 59 107 156 56 123 157 9. Committee for Economic Affairs and Taxation (CEAT) 24 4 5 14 28 36 6 9 12 27 17 20 3 101 119 4 12 49 88 145 146 96 104 109 120 183 200 52 106 108 151 163 62 82 117 141 28 175

10. Political Institutions Committee (PIC) 1 7 19 23 44 12 26 40 41 43 46 10 32 17 80 19 39 40 42 90 189 3 9 43 45 50 114 187 77 93 139 162 63 83 69 197 57 170

11. Committee for Legal Affairs (CLA) 6 17 7 8 39111416364 412433 29 87 19 22 84 104 128 184 190 45 132 133 134 144 193 51 71 93 185 59 76 176 177 174 32

12. Committee for Public Buildings (CPB)

17 23 30 35 13 5 116 37 39 74 189 2 8 81 61 122 149 33

The numbers represent the corresponding members of the National Council and the Council of States (see pages 21 and 22/23; the first two listed are the chairperson and deputy respectively, the remaining committee members are ordered by party affiliation.

Tasks The Control Committee reviews Joint committees and delegations Committees of the On average the committees meet reports on the activities of the The Drafting Committee revises United Federal Assembly three to four days a quarter. They Federal Council and the Federal draft legislation especially when The Committee on Pardons debate the items of business Courts as well as their activities the provisions of a proposed law examines requests for pardons assigned to them and formulate and management. It supports have been heavily amended by submitted to the Federal As- recommendations for their parliament in exercising supreme parliament. sembly. respective council. supervision over the federal The Administration Committee The Judicial Committee orga- The Finance Committee studies administration and the adminis- supervises the management and nises elections to the Federal the budget and public accounts tration of justice at federal level. the financial administration of Supreme Court and other federal of the Confederation and propos- It is also divided into sub-com- the parliamentary services. courts. als for future spending. It is mittees. The NRLA Supervisory Delega- The Rehabilitation Committee divided into sub-committees The Control Delegation is tion exercises supreme parlia- quashes convictions against per- which scrutinise the finances charged in particular with moni- mentary supervision over con- sons who helped refugees to flee of the various departments. toring the intelligence service. struction of the new rail link persecution during the period of The Finance Delegation contin- The Legislative Committees through the Alps (NRLA). In addi- National Socialism. ually monitors and supervises deal with legislation in their tion, the Federal Assembly is rep- the federal government’s respective fields. resented by standing delegations finances. in a series of international par- liamentary assemblies.

27 The work of parliament The National Council and the Council of States usually meet four times a year: They hold ordinary three-week sessions in spring, summer, autumn and winter. Council sessions are open to the public.

Sessions Extraordinary sessions Election of the President of the Confederation and the Vice-President of the Federal Council

01 2 9 16 23 30 026132027 03 6132027 04 31017 24 051 8 15 22 29 06 5 12 19 26 310172431 7142128 7142128 41118 25 2 9 16 23 30 6132027 4111825 1 8 15 22 1 8152229 51219 26 3 10 17 24 31 7142128 5121926 2 9 16 23 2 9162330 61320 27 4 11 18 25 1 8152229 6132027 3101724 3 10 17 24 31 71421 28 5 12 19 26 2 9162330 7142128 4111825 41118 25 1 8 15 22 29 6132027 31017 24 1 8 15 22 29 5121926 51219 26 2 9 16 23 30 7142128 41118 25

07 3 10 17 24 31 08 7142128 09 41118 25 10 2 9162330 11 6132027 12 4111825 4 11 18 25 1 8 15 22 29 51219 26 3 10 17 24 31 7142128 5121926 5 12 19 26 2 9 16 23 30 61320 27 4 11 18 25 1 8 15 22 29 6132027 6 13 20 27 310172431 71421 28 5 12 19 26 2 9 16 23 30 71421 28 7 14 21 28 4111825 181522 29 6 13 20 27 3101724 1 81522 29 1 8152239 5121926 291623 30 7142128 4111825 2916 23 30 2 9162330 6132027 3101724 1 8152229 5121926 31017 24 31

The main tasks Assembly in order to elect the of the Federal Council. Should a revenues and expenditure. They of the Federal Assembly members of the Federal Council, seat on the Federal Council also examine and approve the Legislation: The two chambers the Federal Chancellor and become vacant, the Federal federal accounts. debate all constitutional amend- judges on the Federal Supreme Assembly meets to determine a ments, prepare all important Court, the Federal Insurance successor. In the event of a mili- Further tasks: The Federal legal provisions in the form of Court, the Federal Criminal tary threat it also selects a gener- Assembly ensures all amend- federal acts, draw up federal Court, the Federal Administrative al to act as commander-in-chief ments to cantonal constitutions decrees and approve internation- Court and the Military Court of of the armed forces. if these are deemed to be demo- al treaties. Appeal. cratic and in accordance with Each year the United Federal Control: The federal chambers federal law. Elections: In the first session fol- Assembly elects the President of exercise supreme supervision lowing National Council elec- the Confederation and the Vice- over the federal administration; tions, the two chambers sit President of the Federal Council they decide on the federal gov- together as the United Federal from among the seven members ernment’s budget – the level of

28 Forms of parliamentary intervention Every member of the National Council and Council of States is entitled to speak during the sessions and to table motions. Members have at their disposal a range of instruments, some more effective than others, to ensure that their opinions and those of their electorate are heard.

Parliamentary initiatives Postulate Ordinary question Question time The ‘right of initiative’ enables a The ‘postulate’ is a form of This is a request for information The Monday sessions of the member to submit a draft bill request requiring the Federal from the Federal Council on National Council in the second (federal act, federal decree or fed- Council to determine if draft leg- important domestic or foreign and third weeks begin with a eral assembly ordinance) or to islation (federal act, federal affairs. The question is replied to question time dedicated to topi- propose in general terms that decree or ordinance) has to be in writing and does not come cal issues. Questions have to be such a text be drafted. All legisla- presented or if other appropriate before the chamber. submitted by the close of the ses- tive work takes place in a com- measures must be taken. The pos- The question can be declared sion on the Wednesday of the mittee of the National Council or tulate can also lead to the pres- urgent with the approval of the preceding week. Questions have Council of States. It is not possi- entation of a report. President in the National Council to be phrased concisely (several ble to submit an initiative on an and the approval of the Office in lines, no grounds). They are then item for which a bill has already Interpellation the Council of States. It must answered briefly by the relevant been submitted. Members can An ‘interpellation’ enables mem- then be submitted signed and in head of department as long as then simply submit a proposal to bers to request information on writing one week before the close the member submitting the ques- the chamber. important events or matters of the session in a three-week tion is present. That member is relating to foreign or domestic session and on the first day dur- then also entitled to ask a sup- Motion policy affecting the Confede- ing a one-week session. plementary question on the same The ‘motion’ obliges the Federal ration. A debate can be requested subject. Question time lasts no Council to submit a specific draft on the response given by the longer than 90 minutes. bill or decree or to take appropri- Federal Council. An interpellation ate measures. The approval of the can be declared urgent with the other chamber is also required. A approval of the Office requiring motion can be amended either in it to be dealt with during the cur- the second chamber at the rent session as long as it has request of the majority of the rel- been submitted by the start of evant committee or of the Federal the third session (usually the Council. The first chamber may Wednesday of the first week). endorse the changes or elect to reject the motion definitively. A motion aimed at influencing an administrative decision or appeal in the framework of a legal procedure is inadmissible. Around 5000 parliamentary interventions In the last four years members of the National Council and the Council of States submitted a total of 5,064 parliamentary interventions, broken down into: • 309 parliamentary initiatives • 1060 motions • 630 postulates • 74 recommendations • 1,296 interpellations • 642 simple enquiries and • 1,053 written questions relating to question time in the National Council. That means an average of 20 interventions per member, although some achieve twice or even three times that number.

29 How is new legislation enacted?

The process leading to the adoption of a new law is complex and often lengthy. It takes at least 12 months, but in extreme cases may take up to 12 years. However, the number of laws adopted has increased greatly in recent years, on average, one new law or amendment comes into force each week. All of the following steps had to be completed in order for the new “Federal Act on Genetic Engineering in the Non-Human Domain” to come to fruition:

1998 The draft was put out to consul- 1996 1997 tation among the cantons, politi- The first steps on the path to The Federal Veterinary Office cal parties and associations as bringing in new legislation are subsequently worked on an ini- well as to other interest groups. 2000 taken by the person who consid- tial draft bill in close coopera- They all had the opportunity to ers it to be necessary, whether it tion with other relevant agen- give their opinions and propose The Federal Council reviewed the be an individual member of the cies. The Federal Council changes. Some 180 submissions text and submitted it in the form public, an assembly member or approved the bill in December were made, the last of which on of a dispatch to parliament on the Federal Council. 1997. 4 June 1998. 1 March 2000.

In this particular case, it was the In October 1998, the Federal From April 2000 to August 2001 National Council Committee for Council published the analysed the Council of States’ Committee Science, Education and Culture: findings from the consultation on Science, Education and Cul- As the Environmental Protection procedure on the Gen-Lex draft. ture was first to debate the pro- Act was amended in 1995 with- At the same time responsibility posed amendments to the Envi- out taking the field of genetic for the matter shifted from the ronmental Protection Act. engineering into account, it FVO to the Swiss Agency for the It decided to regulate the pro- decided on 15 August 1996,to Environment, Forests and Land- tection of human beings and the submit the Gen-Lex motion scape (SAEFL), which then draft- environment from the dangers of requesting the Federal Council to ed a report on the amendment of genetic engineering through a close this loophole in the law. the Environmental Protection new law in its own right, the Act Act. on Genetic Engineering in the Non-Human Domain.

“Corn in parliament” Politics as you’ve never seen before! Jean-Stéphane Bron’s political thriller on DVD. With bonustracks and inter- views, including 14 animation films by Nicolas Party, Denis Savary and Akinori Oishi. 7 political themes investigated, many answers and even more questions. Order now: www.negociations.ch

30 2001 2003 During the 2001 summer and During the conciliation proce- autumn sessions the Council of 2002 dure in the National Council in States decided that the Act should March 2003 it followed the not only protect humans and the In the Autumn session 2002 the recommendations of its commit- environment, but also “biodiver- National Council began debating tee in many points and reduced sity and its sustainable use”. the proposal. It decided to set the number of differences – such It granted environmental down stricter conditions than the as with regard to the right of organisations the right to appeal Council of States for the release appeal for organisations or the against the introduction of of GMOs for research purposes. article on the purpose of the Act. genetically modified organisms Contrary to the Council of All remaining differences with (GMOs), but rejected a moratori- States, it removed the right of the National Council were dealt um on their use. appeal for organisations; how- with by the Council of States in At the request of its commit- ever, it also came out against a the same session. 2004 tee it maintained the principle of moratorium on the commercial As there were no differing versions of the legal The Federal Council ordered the absolute liability and approved release of GMOs. In the overall text of the new law there was no need for a Act on Genetic Engineering to conference of conciliation between committee 1 January the law in an overall vote by 32 vote the law was passed by 67 members of the National Council and Council of enter into force on votes to 0. votes to 48 with 48 abstentions. States. 2004.

The prize-winning documentary “Mais im Bundeshuus” (Corn in Parliament) reveals the tug-of-war between different interest groups in the relevant National Council committee. As the meetings take place behind closed doors, the film-makers ques- tioned the individual members before and after each session. The film (released 2003) which is as informative as it is enjoyable, seeks to show who represents what point of view and what their aims are, who is trying to form a pact with whom and which strategies prove to be most successful.

From November 2001 to July 2002 During the conciliation proce- On 21 March 2003 the Act on the National Council’s Committee dure in December 2002 the Coun- Genetic Engineering was passed on Science, Education and Cultu- cil of States adopted in principle in the final vote by 159 votes to 4 re discusses the matter. The the National Council’s stricter in the National Council with 19 moratorium issue is particularly provisions on product liability. abstentions and by 41 votes to 0 controversial. Forestry and agriculture sectors in the Council of States. are exempt. In this context, it is the person required to obtain authorisation that is held liable, On 10 July 2003 the 100-day peri- and then only for deficiencies od in which a call can be made arising from the genetic modifi- for a referendum expired with no cation. The Council maintained such claim having been made.

the right of appeal for environ- As the Gen-Lex is simply a federal act and not a mental organisations and amend- constitutional amendment there is no obligation to hold a popular vote. ed the article describing the pur- pose of the law. The law is intended to “enable” research to be carried out and not to “pro- mote” it, as was the wording pro- posed by the National Council. It removed the provision added by the National Council that would have forced producers of GMOs to prevent any contamina- tion of non-genetically modified products. Furthermore, farmers would have to agree in writing if they wanted to obtain genetically modified products. 31 Parliamentary Services

Parliament, with its 246 mem- The Parliamentary Services are The Scientific Services The word ‘parliament’ is derived bers, holds four sessions a year headed by the Secretary-General from the Latin parlare, to speak. and around 600 committee meet- of the Federal Assembly, Marian- However, it is often a case of no ings resulting in hundreds of pro- gela Wallimann-Bornatico. Not all members of parliament sooner said than forgotten. Every posals, all of which are organ- Together with the three Deputy are able to study every proposal parliament is therefore equipped ised and handled by the Parlia- Secretaries-General, they make in detail. The volume and com- to transcribe what is said. The mentary Services. They are locat- up the management team that plexity of business is continu- system used by the Parliamen- ed in the Federal Palace and runs and coordinates the servic- ously increasing, which is also tary Services for the Official Bul- assist the National Council and es. The General Secretariat is the reason why each matter is letin is one of the most modern the Council of States in their par- responsible for planning the ses- assigned to one of the commit- in the world and has received liamentary work. sions and any related business, tees. The committee secretariats several awards. The statements The Swiss legislature is a and for organisational and pro- form the Committees Service. of council members are recorded militia parliament which means cedural matters. It prepares the They plan the committees’ work and relayed for publication on that its members have to balance meetings of the offices and the and provide them with technical, the internet almost in real time. their parliamentary work with chambers as well as sessions of organisational and administra- their other professional careers. the United Federal Assembly. The tive assistance, and advise them Members of parliament need to In order to do this and be able to Central Secretariat plays an and their chairpersons in all have swift access to the informa- tackle the problems of a modern important role for the 246 law- matters concerning parliament, tion and documentation neces- society, proper preparation, com- makers, but also for the press especially with regard to proce- sary in the course of their work. prehensive documentation, pre- and other interested parties. dure and areas of responsibility. The Documentation Centre is cise translation and impeccable They create dossiers presenting able to provide the information support during the meetings and the main points of business with The Legal Service provides they need on almost any topic so sessions are essential. The Par- the amendment proposals of the advice and information on ques- that they are able to prepare liamentary Services provide this Federal Council, the majorities tions of parliamentary law. In material for council decisions or all-round service and enable par- and minorities, and prepare all particular, it advises the council debates. liament members to conduct seri- of the material needed in the presidents, the offices, commit- ous and creative legislative course of parliamentary work. tees and the heads of service on work. In addition, the secretariats of the application of parliamentary the Supervisory Committees of law. both chambers, and the Auditing and the Control Committees are responsible for supervising the business of the federal govern- ment and the Federal Adminis- tration.

32 Secretary-General: Mariangela Wallimann-Bornatico Deputy Secretaries-General: John Clerc, Hans Peter Gerschwiler, Christoph Lanz Staff: 183 Budget: CHF 81 500 000.–

i Parliament Building, 3003 Bern Tel: 031 322 87 90, Fax: 031 322 53 74 [email protected] www.parlament.ch

The Language Service provides The Federal Assembly’s security External Relations and Resources, Security and Information translations for parliament and Logistics strategy is implemented by the the parliamentary services. A Security and Infrastructure Ser- The service reports to the Secre- large part of the work consists The Operations and Usher Ser- vice. It adopts any necessary tariat of the Foreign Affairs Com- of committee and delegation vice organises the sessions of the measures and ensures they are mittee. It organises the foreign reports. The Interpreting Service Federal Assembly, committee and adhered to. It is also responsible trips of the council presidents ensures simultaneous translation parliamentary group meetings. It for planning and coordinating and of delegations engaged in of the statements during the ses- also copies, distributes and use of the building and main- promoting bilateral relations. It sions of the United Federal sends documents and publica- taining the technical infrastruc- carries out administrative work Assembly and the National Coun- tions for the chambers, commit- ture of the Parliament Building, for delegations in international cil. Translations are provided tees and individual members. that of the Federal Assembly and parliamentary assemblies and to from and into the three official premises used by the administra- foster relations with foreign par- languages (German, French, Ital- The Personnel and Finance Ser- tion. liamentary members. It organises ian). The Italian Secretariat pre- vice implements personnel poli- visits to Switzerland by presi- pares documents in all specia- cy, plans personnel and organisa- The IT and New Technologies dents and delegations from for- lised fields. tional development, supports and team is responsible for operating eign parliaments and is also advises managers on personnel- and maintaining the whole of the responsible for questions of pro- The Internet Service maintains related matters and is also IT infrastructure used by the tocol (receiving of foreign digni- the parliament website which is responsible for staff training. In Parliamentary Services and the taries and ambassadors). updated daily and is available in addition, it deals with the finan- parliamentary groups’ secretari- four languages (www.parla- cial matters of assembly mem- ats. It provides all members with The Information Service organ- ment.ch), offering information on bers and organises members’ personal IT equipment. ises and coordinates information the workings of parliament and official trips. on the work of parliament and its various bodies, the items of its bodies. It advises and sup- business and members of parlia- ports council members, the par- ment, and reaching a broad audi- liamentary bodies and the heads ence in electronic form. During of service on information and parliamentary sessions it also media-related matters and main- broadcasts live-streams of the tains contacts with accredited debates. The information offering journalists and the media in gen- is rounded off with comprehen- eral. sive dossiers on key issues and an interactive section on how the The Public Relations Service political system works. produces communication materi- al on parliament and its work- ings, organises events in the Par- liament Building and arranges tours. Together with the Federal Chancellery, it also runs the “Political Forum of the Confeder- ation” in the Käfigturm.

33 Just as the members of the government and the chancellor are demons- trating here, the Confederation once again wants to present a uniform ap- pearance: Instead of each department and federal office setting its own individual profile, the white cross on a red background should be the The Executive standard corporate design for the whole of the federal administration.

34 Branch: Federal Council and Departments

35 The Federal Council The Swiss Government consists of the seven members of the Federal Council who are elected by the United Federal Assembly for a four-year term. The President of the Swiss Confederation is elected for just one year and is regarded as Primus inter pares, or first among equals during that time. He chairs the sessions of the Federal Council and undertakes special ceremonial duties.

Moritz Leuenberger Micheline Calmy-Rey Pascal Couchepin Joseph Deiss President of the Swiss Confederation Vice-President of the Federal Council Head of the Federal Department of Home Affairs Head of the Federal Department Head of the Federal Department of the Environ- Head of the Federal Department of Foreign Affairs Member of the Radical Free Democratic Party of Economic Affairs ment, Transport, Energy and Communications Member of the Social Democratic Party Federal Councillor since 1998 Member of the Member of the Social Democratic Party Federal Councillor since 2003 Christian Democratic People’s Party Federal Councillor since 1995 Federal Councillor since 1999

Role of the Federal Council As the highest executive authori- Furthermore, the Federal Council ty of the country, the Federal must regularly and systematical- Council is primarily responsible ly scrutinise the workings of the for the activities of Government. Federal Administration in order It must continuously to ensure its efficiency as well as • assess the situation arising the legality and practicality of from developments in the State its activities. and society and from events at The Federal Council also home and abroad; takes part in the legislative pro- • define the fundamental goals cedure by of State action and determine • leading the preliminary pro- the resources needed to attain ceedings of legislation; them; • submitting federal acts and • plan and co-ordinate Govern- decrees to the Federal Assem- ment policy and ensure its bly; implementation; • enacting regulations in so far • represent the Confederation at as the Federal Constitution home and abroad. or federal law empowers it to do so.

36 Samuel Schmid Christoph Blocher Hans-Rudolf Merz Annemarie Huber-Hotz Head of the Federal Department of Defence, Head of the Federal Department Head of the Federal Department of Finance Federal Chancellor since 2000 Civil Protection and Sport of Justice and Police Member of the Radical Free Democratic Party Member of the Swiss People’s Party Member of the Swiss People’s Party Federal Councillor since 2004 Federal Councillor since 2001 Federal Councillor since 2004

Finally, the Federal Council hears nary sessions, which are conve- vote. The Federal Chancellor is The Magic Formula is the phrase used to and determines matters of admi- ned at short notice as and when entitled to propose motions and describe the way in which the Federal Coun- cil has been constituted since 1959 when nistrative law in so far as provi- the need arises, a number of spe- speak, but has no vote. the seats allocated to parties represented in sion is made in federal legislation cial meetings are also held each As a general rule, the Federal national government first corresponded on administrative jurisdiction. year, which are dedicated to the Council avoids taking votes as roughly to their share of the vote: the SPS (26.3%), the FDP (23.7%) and the CVP It drafts the budget and the consideration of especially com- such; a majority position often (23.3%) each had two seats on the Federal State accounts and approves can- plex and important issues. already emerges from the opinions Council, the SVP (11.6%) had one. This situation continued unaltered for tonal decrees in controversial The sessions of the Federal expressed during the discussions. 44 years. However, the National Council cases as long as this is provided Council are chaired by the Presi- The “magic formula” and the elections of 19 October 2003 saw the SVP win 26.9% of the vote. Thereby making it for in a federal decree requiring a dent of the Confederation, or in collegial principle in effect turns the strongest party in parliament. The CVP compulsory referendum. his absence, by the Vice-President. the Federal Council into a small gained only 14% of the vote and was subse- quently the weakest party. At the elections The Federal Council takes They can last between one and version of parliament with the to the Federal Council on 10 December, par- administrative action itself only ten hours. main parties represented on a liament chose to elect two representatives from the SVP and only one from the CVP. in exceptional cases. The Departments and the Fed- largely proportional basis. As The Federal Council generally eral Chancellery prepare the a result, the collegial principle meets for one ordinary session agenda, but it is the Federal also serves the function today of each week and takes decisions on Council that takes the decisions enabling compromise solutions some 2,000 to 2,500 matters each as a collegial body. Each member to be found on which majority year. In addition to the extraordi- of the Federal Council has one agreement is possible.

37 Organisation of the Federal Administration

Federal Chancellery Federal Department Federal Department Federal Department FCh of Foreign Affairs FDFA of Home Affairs FDHA of Justice and Police FDJP

General Secretariat General Secretariat GS Federal Council Sector GS General Secretariat GS

Planning and Strategy Sector State Secretariat Federal Office for Gender Federal Office of Justice FOJ Equality FOGE

Information and Directorate of Political Affairs Federal Office of Culture Federal Office of Police Communications Sector FOC fedpol

Diplomatic and Consular Swiss National Library Internal Services Sector Federal Office for Migration Missions abroad FOM

Swiss Federal Archives, Federal Data Protection Directorate of Corporate SFA Office of the Attorney General Commissioner Management DCM of Switzerland OAG

Federal Data Protection Directorate of International Law Swiss Meteorological Institute Federal Office of Metrology and Commission MeteoSwiss Accreditation METAS

Swiss Agency for Development Federal Office of Public Health Federal Institute and Cooperation SDC FOPH of Intellectual Property IIP

Swiss Federal Statistical Office Swiss Asylum Appeals SFSO Commission AAC

Federal Social Insurance Office Swiss Institute FSIO of Comparative Law SICL

State Secretariat for Education Swiss Federal Gaming Board and Research SER SFGB

Federal Institutes of Technology Group FIT-Group

Swiss Agency for Therapeutic Products Swissmedic

38 Federal Department Federal Department Federal Department Federal Department of the of Defence, Civil Protection of Finance FDF of Economic Affairs FDEA Environment, Transport, Energy and Sport DDPS and Communications DETEC

General Secretariat GS General Secretariat GS General Secretariat GS General Secretariat GS

Office of the Military Attorney FOT Federal Finance Administration State Secretariat Federal Office of Transport General MAG FFA for Economic Affairs Seco

Strategic Intelligence Service Federal Office of Personnel Federal Office for Professional Federal Office of Civil Aviation SIS FOPER Education and Technology FOPET FOCA

Directorate for Security Policy Federal Tax Administration FTA Federal Office Federal Office of Energy FOE DSP for Agriculture FOAG

Defence Federal Customs Administration Federal Veterinary Office FVO Federal Roads Office FEDRO FCA

Federal Office of Information Civil Protection Federal Office for Federal Office of Technology, Systems and Tele- National Economic Supply FONES Communications OFCOM communication FOITT

Sport Federal Office Federal Housing Office FHO Federal Office for the Environment for Buildings and Logistics FOBL FOEN

armasuisse Federal Office of Private Price Supervision Federal Office for Spatial Insurance FOPI Development OSD

Swiss Federal Banking Competition Commission Commission SFBC ComCo

Swiss Federal Audit Office SFAO

Swiss Alcohol Board SAB

Federal Pension Fund PUBLICA

39 The Federal Chancellery

There have been two notable per- standard corporate design for tion, the Classified Compilation Planning and Strategy Sector sonnel changes in the Federal the administration consisting of and the Journal of Administra- Chancellery, which in turn have the Swiss emblem and the words tive Practice are published swift- had a direct impact on the inter- ‘Swiss Confederation’ (in four ly and accurately in three lan- Providing support for coordina- nal organisation and structure of languages). The roll-out should guages. These publications con- tion and management activities the Federal Council’s staff office: be completed by the end of 2006. tain the drafts that parliament may not sound spectacular, how- the two Vice-Chancellor positions debates in the course of its leg- ever, such activities are just as have been newly filled by Oswald Federal Council Sector islative work and applicable law important for the smooth run- Sigg and Corina Casanova. Vice-Chancellor Casanova by which citizens and the ning of the Federal Chancellery In addition to holding respon- authorities are required to act as making provisions in the sibility for information and com- The Federal Council begins its and on which the courts base event of a crisis or disaster. The munication and the Federal Par- weekly session at 9 am every their decisions. For jurists and Staff Office ensures that the Fed- liamentary and Central Library, Wednesday in the west wing of for many private individuals eral Council is in a position to the Federal Council Spokesman, the Federal Palace. In the week these are indispensable as is evi- fulfil its duties even under diffi- Oswald Sigg, is now also respon- prior to the session, the Section dent from the some 200,000 cult circumstances. The Staff sible for e-Government. And, in for Federal Council Affairs online queries made each day. Office is also responsible for addition to the sizeable Federal works to ensure that everything The Central Language Ser- dealing with correspondence Council Sector, responsibility for is ready to enable the Federal vices (German, French, Italian from the public and for making the Central Language Services Council to make decisions on and Terminology sections) ensure sure that each matter receives has been transferred to Corina dozens of matters during the that federal legislation and all the appropriate attention. Casanova. three or four-hour session. This other official publications are “Increasing prosperity and On the subject of reorganisa- sometimes involves hundreds of produced in a style of language ensuring sustainability”, “Over- tion, the Federal Chancellery has files being passed between the that is accessible to the public coming Demographic Challenges” an important role in the Federal departments and offices. As the and play a part in ensuring that and “Securing Switzerland’s Posi- Administration Reform 05-07 Federal Council gathers the government communications tion in the World” are just a few project. Federal Chancellor views of its members through a reach all language communities of the Federal Council’s policy Annemarie Huber-Hotz now consultation process before tak- in the same manner. In a sense, guidelines in the report on leg- holds political responsibility for ing decisions, the compilation the language services are the islative planning for the period four cross-sectional projects: the and evaluation of these files is guardians of the country’s multi- from 2003 to 2007, produced simplification of procedures, particularly important. The Fed- lingualism. For its part, the Eng- jointly by the Planning and workflows and documentation, eral Council is then in a position lish Language Service strives to Strategy Section together with the sifting out of unnecessary to debate any remaining differ- ensure the quality of the increas- the departments. In addition, the legislation, the centralisation of ences of opinion. ing demand for texts in English section also advises the secre- library and documentation cen- The Legal Section has an and translates selected legisla- tariat of the Conference of Secre- tres, and a review of extra-par- important control and advisory tion. One very important tool for taries-General, the highest coor- liamentary committees. This set function in the legislative communication and translation dination body in the Federal of thorough reforms is intended process and advises the depart- activities is the Termdat termi- Administration and heads the to eliminate that which is ments and offices. The section nology database; a comprehen- Federal Administration’s Forward deemed unnecessary, reduce also screens all motions put to sive electronic dictionary created Planning Staff which analyses duplication, increase the efficien- the Federal Council for their with the cooperation of the lan- trends and their significance for cy and effectiveness of the admi- legal and formal accuracy. guage services of the European federal policy on behalf of the nistration and ultimately achieve Federal acts and ordinances Commission and which contains Federal Council. a certain degree of savings in only enter into force following specialist vocabulary and abbre- The Political Rights Section personnel and financial terms. their official publication. It is the viations from the fields of law ensures that the rights that The Federal Chancellery is task of the Official Publications and administration and count- Switzerland so values can be also playing a central role in the Centre to ensure that the Federal less other fields. exercised smoothly. It advises ongoing introduction of a new Gazette, the Official Compila- initiative and referendum com-

40