No other picture elicits as many comments and is interpreted as widely by the media as the official photograph of the national government – and this is certainly not surprising with this year’s photograph: the term The Executive B “dynamic” is used almost unanimously in every description.

34 e 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 or she chairs the sessions of the Federal Council and undertakes special ceremonial duties.

Micheline Calmy-Rey Pascal Couchepin Moritz Leuenberger Samuel Schmid President of the Swiss Confederation Vice-President of the Federal Council Head of the Federal Department of the Environ- Head of the Federal Department of Defence, Head of the Federal Department of Foreign Affairs Head of the Federal Department of Home Affairs ment, Transport, Energy and Communications Civil Protection and Sport Member of the Social Democratic Party Member of the Radical Free Democratic Party Member of the Social Democratic Party Member of the Swiss People’s Party Federal Councillor since 2003 Federal Councillor since 1998 Federal Councillor since 1995 Federal Councillor since 2001

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 Christoph Blocher Hans-Rudolf Merz Doris Leuthard Annemarie Huber-Hotz Head of the Federal Department Head of the Federal Department of Finance Head of the Federal Department Federal Chancellor since 2000 of Justice and Police Member of the Radical Free Democratic Party of Economic Affairs Member of the Swiss People’s Party Federal Councillor since 2004 Member of the Federal Councillor since 2004 Christian Democratic People’s Party Federal Councillor since 2006

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 the for in a federal decree requiring a dent of the Confederation, or in collegial principle in effect turns strongest party in parliament. The CVP compulsory referendum. his or her absence, by the Vice- 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 President. They can last between version of parliament with the to the Federal Council on 10 December, par- administrative action itself only one and 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 2000 to 2500 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 of Home Affairs of Justice and Police FDFA FDHA FDJP

General Secretariat General Secretariat Federal Council Sector General Secretariat Vice-Chancellor Casanova

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

Information and Communications Directorate of Political Affairs Federal Office of Culture Federal Office of Police Sector Vice-Chancellor Sigg FOC Fedpol

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

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

Federal Data Directorate of Federal Office of Meteorology and Federal Office of Metrology Protection Commission International Law Climatology MeteoSwiss METAS

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

Federal Statistical Office Swiss Institute of Comparative FSO Law SICL

Federal Social Insurance Office Federal Gaming Board FGB FSIO

State Secretariat for Education and Research SER

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 of Economic Affairs Environment, Transport, Energy and Sport DDPS FDF FDEA and Communications DETEC

General Secretariat General Secretariat General Secretariat General Secretariat

Armed Forces Attorney Federal Finance Administration State Secretariat for Economic Federal Office of Transport General AFAG FFA Affairs SECO FOT

DDPS Damage Centre Federal Office of Federal Office for Professional Federal Office of Civil Aviation Personnel FOPER Education and Technology OPET FOCA

Staff of the Federal Council Federal Tax Administration FTA Federal Office for Agriculture Swiss Federal Office of Energy Security Committee SecCom Staff FOAG SFOE

Strategic Intelligence Service Federal Customs Administration Federal Veterinary Office Federal Roads Office SIS FCA FVO FEDRO

Directorate for Security Policy Federal Office of Information Federal Office for National Technology, Systems and Federal Office of Communications DSP Economic Supply FONES OFCOM Telecommunication FOITT

Defence Federal Office for Buildings and Federal Office for Housing FOH Federal Office for the Logistics FOBL Environment FOEN

Federal Office for Civil Federal Office of Private Office of the Price Supervisor Federal Office for Spatial Protection FOCP Insurance FOPI Development ARE

Federal Office of Sport Swiss Federal Banking Competition Commission FOSPO Commission SFBC ComCo

Armasuisse Swiss Federal Audit Office SFAO

Swiss Alcohol Board SAB

Federal Pension Fund PUBLICA

39 The Federal Chancellery

2007 is a particularly important and decisions taken by the Fede- parliament debates in the course Planning and Strategy Sector year for the Federal Chancellery: ral Council. of its legislative work, and appli- on the one hand due to the cable law by which citizens and

National Council elections on 21 Federal Council Sector the authorities are required to The next legislative period October, on the other because of Vice-Chancellor Casanova act and on which the courts base begins in the autumn of 2007, the legislative planning for the their decisions. For jurists and and the Planning and Strategy next four years. In both cases, The Federal Council begins its for many private individuals Section prepares together with the Federal Chancellery plays a weekly session at 9 am every these are indispensable as is evi- the departments, the dispatch on leading role as staff office of the Wednesday in the west wing of dent from the some 500,000 on- legislative planning which con- Federal Council. As is also the the Federal Palace. In the week line queries made each day. tains the draft of the most case in many other countries, the prior to the session, the Section The Central Language Servi- important aims and measures of legislative period in Switzerland for Federal Council Affairs ces (German, French, Italian and federal government policy for the lasts four years. Consequently works to ensure that everything Terminology sections) ensure, period 2007–2011. The basis for the strategic and planning work is ready to enable the Federal together with the Federal Office this dispatch is provided in the of our national government also Council to make decisions on of Justice, that federal legislation report of the Forward Planning follows this cycle. dozens of matters during the and all other official government Staff entitled ‘Challenges 2007– One of the main tasks of the three- or four-hour session. This texts are produced in a style of 2011, which analyses trends and Federal Chancellery for the cur- sometimes involves hundreds of language that is accessible to the their significance for federal rent year is to organise and files being passed between the public. Through their own trans- policy on behalf of the Federal shape legislative planning for the departments and offices. As the lations and the revision of those Council and will be published 2008–2011 period together with Federal Council gathers the carried out by the offices they mid-2007. Responsibility for the the seven government depart- views of its members through a play a part in ensuring that coordination of the Forward ments. The Federal Council’s consultation process before government communications Planning Staff rests with the annual goals are drawn from taking decisions, the compilation reach all language communities Planning and Strategy Section. It that, which in turn has a direct and evaluation of these files is at the same time and in the same also advises the secretariat of influence on the activities of the particularly important. The Fede- manner. In a sense, the language the Conference of Secretaries- National Council and Council of ral Council is then in a position services are the guardians of the General, the highest coordination States. to debate any remaining differen- federal state’s multilingualism. body in the Federal Administra- The second important task ces of opinion. Demand for English translations tion. that the Federal Chancellery has The Legal Section has an of important government texts is The Political Rights Section to manage every four years is the important control and advisory also continually rising. The ensures that the rights that Swit- organisation of the election of function in the legislative pro- English Language Service strives zerland so values can be exerci- the 200 members of the National cess and advises the depart- to ensure the quality of texts sed smoothly. It advises initiative Council. While it is the 26 can- ments and offices. The section produced in English and trans- and referendum committees, tons that are responsible for con- also screens all motions put to lates selected legislative texts. verifies petition lists, formally ducting the elections, they have the Federal Council for their One very important tool for examines popular initiatives, to be held in accordance with legal and formal accuracy. Fede- communication and translation organises federal votes and elec- uniform criteria. In addition to ral acts and ordinances only activities is the Termdat termi- tions to the National Council and these special tasks, the Federal enter into force following their nology database, a comprehensi- monitors pilot of e-voting pro- Chancellery will also be pursuing official publication. ve electronic dictionary created jects. its normal activities in 2007: it is It is the task of the Official with the cooperation of the lan- Providing support for coordi- responsible for preparing the Publications Centre to ensure guage services of the European nation and management activi- weekly meetings of the Federal that the Federal Gazette, the Commission and which contains ties may not sound spectacular; Council, the publication of legis- Official Compilation, the Classi- specialist vocabulary and abbre- however, such activities are just lative texts, compiling the fied Compilation and the Journal viations from the fields of law as important for the smooth run- pamphlet of explanatory remarks of Administrative Practice are and administration and count- ning of the Federal Chancellery for popular votes, fostering the published swiftly and accurately less other fields. as making provisions in the use the national languages and in three languages. These publi- event of a crisis or disaster. informing the public of measures cations contain the drafts that

40 Federal Chancellor: Annemarie Huber-Hotz Vice-Chancellor: Oswald Sigg Vice-Chancellor: Corina Casanova Staff: 200 Revenue: 900 000.– Expenditure: 60 500 000.–

i Federal Palace West Wing, 3003 Bern T 031 322 37 91, F 031 322 37 06 Hansruedi Moser, Claude Gerbex www.admin.ch

The Staff Office ensures that the Information and Communications Internal Services Sector Federal Data Federal Council is in a position Sector Vice-Chancellor Sigg Protection Commission to fulfil its duties even under dif- ficult circumstances. The Staff Information and communica- The primary tasks of Internal This appeals commission hears Office is also responsible for tion has long been a vital lea- Services include human resour- complaints against decisions of dealing with correspondence dership tool for the Federal ces, finance and accounting, federal bodies (with the excep- from the public and for making Council. Headed by the Vice- information technology, events tion of the Federal Council) and sure that each matter receives Chancellor and Federal Council management at the von-Watten- cantonal decisions. It also rules the appropriate attention. spokesman, the Federal Chancel- wyl-Haus and the Lohn country on recommendations made by the Switzerland often has to deal lery ensures, together with the residence and the authentication of Data Protection Commissioner on with and respond to a variety of relevant ministers and their signatures for foreign authorities. matters in the private sphere. Its crises (e.g. the floods of August staffs, that parliament, the media rulings are referred on appeal to 2005, the tsunami of December and the public are continually the Federal Supreme Court. Federal Data Protection and 2004, the SARS epidemic in provided with transparent infor- Information Commissioner March 2003). Such events can mation following the meetings of also present the Federal Admini- the Federal Council. This is The Federal Data Protection and stration with significant challen- achieved via press conferences Information Commissioner works ges. That is why it is important that can also be viewed live to safeguard the privacy of the that members of the management online, and via press releases individual. He monitors data pro- teams in the offices, departments which can be subscribed to at cessing activities by federal and the Federal Chancellery www.news.admin.ch or viewed at agencies or by private individu- make sure they are prepared. www.admin.ch. In addition, the als and organisations. He can Leading and responding under Vice-Chancellor and his team are conduct investigations and in the difficult circumstances and responsible for producing the event of a violation he can under extreme time pressures is pamphlet of explanatory remarks recommend that data processing something that can be tought. of the Federal Council in the run- methods be changed or disconti- The task of conducting trai- up to federal popular votes. nued. In addition, he provides ning at high or strategic level The Political Forum of the advice to private individuals, falls to the Strategic Leaders- Confederation based in the federal agencies and the cantons. hip Training (SLT) unit. Training Käfigturm will be focusing its The office of the FDPIC also acts consists of workshops or infor- attention on the National Council as a centre of expertise and mation events and exercises. For elections in October 2007. This mediator on matters concerning the planning, organisation and important political event will be the principle of freedom of infor- execution of these exercises, the marked with an exhibition, mation applicable in the Federal SLT works with internal bodies discussion rounds and presenta- Administration since 1 July 2006. and external partners (e.g. can- tions of the political parties, an It advises the federal offices and tons, business and international election brochure and an election departments on how to apply the organisations). phone-in. Details can be found at new law which facilitates access www.kaefigturm.admin.ch. to offi-cial documents, and con- The Federal Parliamentary ducts mediation proceedings in and Central Library is an aca- the event of conflict between demic library open to members those applying for access to of parliament and the admini- information and the offices con- stration. It is linked electronical- cerned. ly to a further 36 libraries and documentation centres in the Federal Administration through the Alexandria system.

41 42 Federal Department of Foreign Affairs FDFA

The power of law versus the law of power International law governs the peaceful co- existence of States. It covers a range of areas such as human rights, environment, social affairs, the economy and business, the high seas and space. With increasing globalisation, it has gained in importance. Switzerland is actively involved in develo- ping international law. This is in line with the overriding aim of Swiss foreign policy: to protect the country’s interests. Compliance with international regula- tions is particularly important for small and medium-sized states, as it protects them from the power politics of the large states. The United Nations plays a key role in deve- loping international law. Since its accession to the UN, Switzerland has been able to play a more active role than before in shaping the legal form of international relations. One of the more recent successes of Swiss diplomacy in international law matters is the recognition of a new emblem for the Red Cross Movement and the creation of the UN Human Rights Commission. The FDFA also places particular empha- sis on commitment to the peaceful settle- ment of conflicts and alleviation of poverty in the world, and this again serves to safe- guard Switzerland’s own interests. If con- flicts escalate into wars, our country as the depositary state of the Geneva Conventions, the most important framework for internatio- nal humanitarian law (the law of armed con- flict), has a particular responsibility in this regard.

Federal Constitution, Article 5, Paragraph 4: The Confederation and the Cantons must respect international law.

The ban on violence enshrined in international law is not, however, observed to the same extent everywhere in the world: The International Red Cross and Red Crescent Museum in Geneva powerfully documents the victims’ suffering. The Geneva Conventions and their additional protocols lay the basis for international humanitarian law. They serve to protect people and civil objects in armed conflicts. The Geneva Conventions date back to the initiative of the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC). The Red Cross Movement was founded by Henry Dunant from Geneva. Federal Department GS His main dossiers include coope- • Political Affairs Division III: of Foreign Affairs General Secretariat ration with the UN, the conti- United Nations, Swiss activities FDFA nuing development of Switzer- in international organisations, The FDFA is responsible for safe- As the FDFA’s staff office, the land’s relations with the EU and host-country policy, Franco- guarding Swiss interests abroad. General Secretariat supports the a wide variety of activities in the phonie Swiss foreign policy is built on Head of Department in the field of security and peace policy. • Political Affairs Division IV: the following five main objec- management of the department The State Secretariat consists of Peace policy and human security, tives: and in preparing for the Federal the Directorate of Political human rights policy, humanita- • peaceful coexistence of Council meetings. It is respon- Affairs, the Protocol Section and rian policy and international nations sible for public relations, and the Centre for Analysis and Pro- migration policy, field operations • respect for human rights and maintains contact with the staff spective Studies. and Swiss Expert Pool for Civi-

promotion of democracy offices of the other departments Staff: 271 lian Peace-building • safeguarding of Swiss as well as with parliament. It Revenue: – • Political Affairs Division V: Expenditure: 290 629 000.– economic interests abroad ensures the supervision of State Secretary: Michael Ambühl Coordination of sectoral policies: • alleviation of hardship and embassies and consulates www.eda.admin.ch Economic and financial affairs; poverty in the world through the Inspectorate, and Environment, energy and trans- • preservation of natural monitors financial management port; Culture, science and Directorate of Political Affairs resources. at the central office. It is also research responsible for coordinating the • Political Affairs Division VI: Department’s IT communications The Directorate of Political Safeguards the interests of Swiss and for ensuring equal opportu- Affairs (DP/FDFA) is where Swit- citizens abroad, supports Swiss nities within the FDFA. zerland’s foreign policy is formu- nationals in emergency situa-

Staff: 53 lated, and it is responsible for all tions and publishes foreign tra- Revenue: – Switzerland’s missions abroad. vel recommendations. It is also Expenditure: 43 923 000.– Secretary-General: Peter Müller As such, it is the central office responsible for the Confedera- www.eda.admin.ch that collects all the information tion’s policy on the Swiss Abroad needed to determine and protect (Swiss communities, Swiss Swiss foreign interests, identify schools, political rights, informa- State Secretariat potential areas of crisis and ten- tion, etc.). sion, assess Switzerland’s global • Centre for International The State Secretary and Political opportunities, prepare actions, Security Policy (CISP): Director is the first person after and conduct negotiations on The CISP coordinates Swiss poli- the Head of Department that the security matters, international cy in international organisations Federal Council consults on mat- solidarity, the promotion of dealing with security, disarma- ters of foreign policy. He is democracy, the rule of law and ment and arms control. Together responsible for the conceptual human rights. with the DDPS, it decides on development and strategic plan- The Directorate has nine divi- Switzerland’s military commit- ning of foreign policy and for sions responsible for the follo- ment to peace support opera- reporting to the political authori- wing areas: tions. It is responsible on behalf ties. • Political Affairs Division I: of FDFA for matters relating to The State Secretary and Politi- Europe, Council of Europe, OSCE the export of war material. As a cal Director deputises for the • Political Affairs Division II: joint office of the Directorate of Head of Department when neces- Africa and the Middle East Political Affairs and the State sary, at meetings of the Foreign • Political Affairs Division II: Secretariat for Economic Affairs, Affairs Committees of the Natio- Asia-Pacific the Integration Office is also nal Council and the Council of • Political Affairs Division II: affiliated to the Directorate. It is States, for example. He maintains The Americas; responsible for responsible for relations with the regular contacts with his coun- foreign interests (mandates as European Union and the Europe- terparts abroad and in Bern. protecting power) an Free Trade Association (EFTA).

44 Head of Department: Micheline Calmy-Rey

i Federal Palace West Wing, 3003 Bern T 031 322 31 53, F 031 324 90 47 Jean-Philippe Jeannerat, Lars Knuchel, Marie-Marceline Kurmann www.eda.admin.ch

Presence Switzerland (PRS), management and controlling The Directorate has traditionally nitarian partner organisations. which also comes under the instruments. In addition, legisla- also been responsible for relati- The SDC helps the countries DP/FDFA, orchestrates the world- tion, the application of law and ons with the Principality of of Eastern Europe and the Com- wide promotion of an authentic legal advice for the department Liechtenstein. monwealth of Independent States and positive image of Switzer- (with the exception of questions Staff: 41 (CIS) to progress towards demo- land, highlighting the attractions of international law) are included Revenue: – cracy and a market economy. Expenditure: 6 388 000.– and diversity of the country. in its remit. The Swiss Govern- Director: Paul Seger The SDC’s specialist units are Staff and budget: included in figures for the ment Travel Centre, which orga- www.eda.admin.ch grouped in the Thematic and State Secretariat nises official international trips, Technical Resources Department. Head: Michael Ambühl, State Secretary and is also part of this Directorate. The focus here is on conflict pre- Political Director Swiss Agency for Development Deputy Political Director (geographical Staff: 306 and Cooperation SDC vention, good governance, social responsibility): Heidi Tagliavini Revenue: – development, employment and Deputy Political Director (responsible for Expenditure: 117 118 000.– specific issues): Anton Thalmann Director: Martin Dahinden The Swiss Agency for Develop- income, natural resources and www.eda.admin.ch www.eda.admin.ch ment and Cooperation (SDC) is environment. active in three specific areas: While humanitarian aid is Swiss Diplomatic and • bilateral and multilateral sent to those places where it is Directorate of Consular Missions abroad International Law development cooperation most needed, bilateral develop- • humanitarian aid including ment assistance is focused on 17 The main task of the network of International law is a key part of actions by the Swiss Humani- priority countries in Africa, Asia Swiss diplomatic and consular Swiss foreign policy because tarian Aid Unit (SHA) and Latin America. Technical missions is to safeguard Swiss Switzerland recognises that a • cooperation with Eastern cooperation with Eastern Europe interests vis-à-vis other states foreign policy based on interna- Europe centres on eleven countries in and in international organisa- tional law is seen to be credible, The SDC is directly involved in South-East Europe and the CIS. tions. It includes embassies, reliable and firmly based on various projects to support or co- On a multilateral level, the SDC general consulates, consulates, principles. finance programmes led by multi- works with UN agencies, the multilateral missions and coope- As the “legal conscience” of lateral organisations, and partici- World Bank and regional deve- ration offices, and offers a wide the FDFA and the Swiss govern- pates in both Swiss and inter- lopment banks. range of services to Swiss natio- ment’s central office for questi- national aid programmes. Staff: 536 nals and businesses abroad. ons of international law, the The aim of development Revenue: – Expenditure: 1 362 152 000.– Staff: 2001 Directorate of International Law cooperation is to combat poverty Director: Walter Fust Revenue: – (DIL) ensures that Switzerland by following the principle of hel- www.eda.admin.ch Expenditure: 292 346 000.– www.eda.admin.ch meets its international legal obli- ping people to help themselves. gations both abroad and at In particular, the SDC promotes home. To this end it is involved economic and national self-suffi- Directorate of Corporate Management in the negotiation, conclusion ciency, works to improve condi- and implementation of agree- tions of production, assists in The Directorate of Corporate ments based on international dealing with environmental pro- Management (DCM) manages the law. It is also responsible for blems and helps to ensure better department’s human and finan- ensuring that Swiss legal claims access to education and basic cial resources for the optimum vis-à-vis foreign states and enti- healthcare for the most under- implementation of Switzerland’s ties are enforced. privileged sectors of society. foreign policy goals. It oversees The Directorate of Internatio- The mission of the Confedera- the network of Swiss missions nal Law’s activities are very tion’s agency for humanitarian abroad, ensures efficient consu- wide-ranging and include neu- aid is to save lives and alleviate lar services, and the security of trality, human rights and inter- suffering. During armed conflicts missions abroad and of their national humanitarian law, legal and following natural disasters, staff. The DCM is also respon- questions relating to cross-bor- it does this by providing help sible for the department’s logis- der cooperation, and Rhine and through the Swiss Humanitarian tics, IT communications, maritime navigation. Aid Unit and supports its huma-

45 46 Federal Department of Home Affairs FDHA

Safeguarding the future The Federal Department of Home Affairs is a real “everyday life” department. It deals with issues and dossiers that affect people’s lives on a daily basis – provision for retirement (Old Age and Survivors’ Insurance [AHV] and pen- sion funds), medical, accident and invalidity insurance, food safety, substance abuse and AIDS prevention, research and education, cul- ture, family policy, gender equality, equality for people with disabilities, efforts to combat racism, statistics, the national archives and, last but not least, weather forecasting. There are also great challenges in the area of education and research. Knowledge is a key resource in our society and there is fierce competition between states in this area. It is in the area of education and research policy that the future prosperity of our society depends. In terms of social security one of the major challenges will be to guarantee the system’s long term financing.

Federal Constitution, Article 62, Paragraph 4: If harmonisation of school education is not achieved by means of coordination in the areas of school entry age and compulsory school attendance, the duration and objec- tives of levels of education, and the transition from one level to another, as well as the recognition of qualifications, the Confederation shall issue the required regulations.

We are becoming increasingly more mobile: most people do not live in their commune of origin, and fewer still live in the commune in which they were born. It is all the more important, therefore, that school systems and syllabuses are harmonised; moving from one place to another should not lead to learning difficulties or worse still having to repeat a school year. On the first day of school, however, no one thinks that far ahead; motherly support and a combination of curiosity, eagerness and anxiety are what accompany this step towards a new stage in life.

47 The Federal Department of Federal Office of Culture Swiss National Library vices by ensuring a smooth tran- Home Affairs FOC NL sition to the e-Archive and to FDHA provide continuous training in The FOC is active in the areas of The Swiss National Library’s the workings of the archiving cultural promotion and aware- task is to collect, preserve, cata- process. General Secretariat GS ness, national heritage and the logue and make available all Staff: 44 preservation of historic buildings printed and electronic publica- Revenue: – Expenditure: 16 100 000.– The General Secretariat is and monuments. It looks after tions relating to Switzerland. In Director: Andreas Kellerhals responsible for planning, coordi- the Swiss Confederation’s art col- addition, the NL also houses a www.bar.admin.ch nation and controlling, and acts lections and manages the Swiss series of special collections, the as coordinator in the decision- National Library and eleven most important being the Swiss Federal Office of Meteorology and making process between the fede- museums including the Swiss Literary Archive and the Graphic Climatology MeteoSwiss ral offices and the Head of National Museum. The FOC also Collection. The Dürrenmatt Cen- Department. It coordinates safeguards interests relating to tre in Neuchâtel is also part of Since 1881 the national weather resources and provides consul- the preservation of local charac- the NL. The NL is the only part of service MeteoSwiss has provided tancy services for the entire ter and archaeology. The office the FOC to be operated under a detailed weather forecasts, issu- department. Its Legal Service is supports film makers, artists and service agreement and global ed the authorities and the gene- also responsible for supervising designers and promotes the inte- budget. ral public with warnings of charitable foundations. Also affi- rests of the various linguistic Staff: 117 impending bad weather or liated to the General Secretariat and cultural communities. The Revenue: 300 000.– storms, operated a full-scale Expenditure: 31 700 000.– are the Federal Commission FOC also has central offices Director: Marie-Christine Doffey meteorological network, and against Racism, the Federal Ser- dealing with looted art and the www.nl.ch gathered and analysed climate vice for Combating Racism and transfer of cultural goods. The data. With over 800 meteorologi- the Office for the Equality of Article in the Federal Constitu- cal stations and four regional Swiss Federal Archives People with Disabilities. tion on culture offers an oppor- SFA centres, the national weather ser- Staff: 65 tunity to rethink federal policy vice provides special forecasts Revenue: 1 000 000.– and efforts to promote culture in The Federal Archives are the for industry and the general Expenditure: 34 200 000.– Secretary-General: Pascal Strupler cooperation with the cantons, Swiss Confederation’s service public. Scientists at MeteoSwiss www.edi.admin.ch communes and private organisa- centre and centre of expertise for are also involved in national and tions. Two of the main goals of sustainable information manage- international projects aimed at

Federal Office for the FOC are the Federal Council ment. They evaluate, safeguard, improving people’s understan- Gender Equality FOGE dispatch on the Culture Promo- catalogue and make available to ding of weather and climate in tion Act and the revision of the the public the Confederation’s Alpine regions. MeteoSwiss offi- The office focuses on promoting Pro Helvetia Act, together with documents. It would need a cially represents Switzerland at equal opportunities at work, the dispatch on the reorganisa- bookshelf 48 kilometres long to the World Meteorological Organi- equal pay, work-life balance and tion of the state museums. The hold the entire inventory. It zation in Geneva. Reorganisation the issue of violence against men drafts are due to be submitted to includes original documents such of the meteorological networks and women. parliament this year. as the constitution, deeds, pho- will be completed in 2007. With

The Documentation Centre Staff: 221 tos, films, recordings and data- the latest generation weather and the Secretariat of the Federal Revenue: 4 200 000.– bases. The archiving of such stations MeteoSwiss will be in a Expenditure: 194 000 000.– Commission for Women’s Issues Director: Jean-Frédéric Jauslin records is essential in a demo- position to continue providing its are also affiliated to the office. www.bak.admin.ch cratic constitutional state for high-quality data and continue

Staff: 11 continuity and transparency and the wide range of forecasts. Revenue: – enables citizens to exercise Staff: 274 Expenditure: 7 600 000.– Revenue: 34 000 000.– Director: Patricia Schulz democratic control over govern- Expenditure: 78 300 000.– www.equality-office.ch ment and administration activi- Director: Daniel K. Keuerleber-Burk ties. The main focus for the www.meteoschweiz.ch coming years will be to support the Federal Administration’s ser-

48 Head of Department: Pascal Couchepin

i Inselgasse, 3003 Bern T 031 322 80 33, F 031 322 10 15 Jean-Marc Crevoisier, Katja Zürcher www.edi.admin.ch

provide an overview of the avai- ven leading figures from the Federal Office of Public Health State Secretariat for Education FOPH lable information and give links and Research SER fields of science, industry and to more detailed statistics. The politics. In close cooperation The overriding aim of the FOPH FSO provides its services accor- The SER is the Confederation’s with the public, industry and is to promote and maintain the ding to the guidelines that its specialised agency for national universities at home and abroad, health of all people living in work is scientific, topical, user- and international issues relating the 12,000-strong staff and some Switzerland. It seeks to increase friendly and complies with data to further and university educa- 20,000 students and post-gra- awareness of health-related mat- protection regulations. tion, research and space affairs. duates achieve excellent results ters so that people can take Staff: 509 It drafts and implements deci- at the highest scientific level. responsibility for their own Revenue: 900 000.– sions to ensure a coherent policy The main aims of the planning Expenditure: 142 300 000.– health. It also aims at a general Director: Adelheid Bürgi-Schmelz in the areas of science, research for 2004–2007 are the dynamic improvement in people’s health www.statistik.admin.ch and universities. Its areas of reform of university teaching through disease prevention and responsibility are the following: methods and the pursuit of the health protection campaigns and Federal Social Insurance Office coordination of Swiss university leading edge in research. by curing illnesses and allevia- FSIO and research policy, promotion of Staff: 12 000 ting suffering caused by disease cantonal universities, Swiss Revenue: 2 629 000 000.– Expenditure: 2 544 000 000.– and accidents. The FOPH tackles The FSIO ensures the reliability school-leaving certificates, President of the FIT Board: issues such as epidemiology and of this social insurance system grants, European education pro- Alexander J.B. Zehnder www.ethrat.ch infectious diseases, substance within its areas of responsibility: grammes, research promotion, abuse and drug prevention, food old age and survivors’ insurance, international research organisa- safety, noise and radiation pro- invalidity insurance, supplemen- tions and programmes, supervi- Swiss Agency for tection, assessment and monito- tary benefits, occupational pen- sion of international cooperation Therapeutic Products ring of chemicals and toxic pro- sion funds, income compensation in the field of space policy, pre- Swissmedic ducts, stem cell research and for people on national service paration and assessment of the The protection of humans and bioterrorism, and health and and for women on maternity implementation of the perfor- animals requires that all thera- accident insurance. The main leave as well as family allowan- mance mandate in relation to the peutic products are officially focus this year continues to be ces in the agricultural sector. It Federal Institutes of Technology. monitored. Swissmedic ensures on social health insurance issues oversees the work of the execu- Staff: 116 that only high-quality, safe and and the revision of the Health tive bodies and is responsible for Revenue: 2 200 000.– effective medicines are made Expenditure: 1 708 000 000.– Insurance Act. the regular adjustment of legisla- Director: State Secretary Charles Kleiber available. The full-scale testing Staff: 383 tion to the changing social reali- www.sbf.admin.ch of therapeutic products makes it Revenue: 23 700 000.– ty. To a certain extent it is itself possible to identify new risks at Expenditure: 2 807 400 000.– the authority that implements the an early stage and ensure the Director: Thomas Zeltner Federal Institutes of Technology www.bag.admin.ch law. Currently, the FSIO is con- Group FIT Group swift implementation of relevant centrating on the consolidation of safety measures. Swissmedic is old age and survivors’ insurance The FIT Group is an intercon- Switzerland’s certification and Federal Statistical Office FSO and invalidity insurance, and on nected system of technical uni- supervisory authority and is the structural reform in occupational versities and research institutes. hotline for information on thera- Statistics help to create transpa- pension funds and on the reorga- The two FITs in Zurich and Lau- peutic products. rency in relation to social and nisation of state pension funds. sanne, the Paul Scherrer Insti- Staff: 284 political issues. The FSO there- Spending by the Confederation on tute, the Federal Institute for Revenue: 69 700 000.– Expenditure: 63 900 000.– fore publishes information on the social welfare amounts to around Forest, Snow and Landscape Director: Jürg Schnetzer situation and developments in CHF 14.1 billion, just over one Research, the Federal Laboratory www.swissmedic.ch Switzerland in many different quarter of the national budget. for Materials Testing and areas. It provides the quantitati- Staff: 241 Research and the Federal Insti- ve information needed to under- Revenue: 428 700 000.– tute for Environmental Science Expenditure: 11 350 800 000.– stand the present and to plan for Director: Yves Rossier and Technology all come under the future. The Statistical Year- www.bsv.admin.ch the management of the FIT book and the internet portal Board, which is made up of ele-

49 50 The Federal Department of Justice and Police FDJP

Towards a safer society The Federal Department of Justice and Police has a wide range of responsibilities. It deals with social policy issues such as the co-exist- ence of Swiss and foreign nationals, asylum matters, internal security and the fight against crime. Marital status and citizenship issues are also just as much a part of the FDJP’s brief as corporate governance, gaming supervision, or the drafting of codes and instruments for cooperation at international level between justice authorities and police. In 2007, the FDJP is focusing on a number of ever present challenges such as impro- ving various areas of business law (revision of company law, further development of patent legislation for new technologies), revision of legislation on the criminal proce- dure and civil procedure codes, various measures in the field of internal security, the fight against terrorism and organised crime, and policies on foreign nationals and asylum.

Federal Constitution, Article 57, Paragraph 1: The Confederation and the Cantons shall within the scope of their powers ensure the security of the country and the protection of the population.

Terror equals fear; in the last few years, there has been a massive increase, almost worldwide, in atrocities as well as in fear of these atrocities, because as time goes on, terrorists make less and less of a distinction between ‘guilty’ and ‘innocent’ people and increasingly aim at soft targets to inflict maximum damage. Even though we all know that absolute security cannot be achieved, we still expect that everything humanly possible is done to prevent terror attacks in our country and to protect our freedom and our way of living.

51 Federal Department of tration on all legislative matters. prosecution, especially in the dialogue with countries of origin, Justice and Police It is responsible for the supervi- fight against organised crime. transit countries and other host FDJP sion of the commercial register, Fedpol coordinates investiga- countries on all issues relating to the register of births, marriages tions, while also leading its own migration. and deaths, the land registry and investigations in cases of drug In 2007 the office will focus General Secretariat GS the enforcement of criminal trafficking (and its financing) and on the implementation of the new penalties, and also keeps the counterfeiting. In addition, it Foreign Nationals Act and the The General Secretariat assists register of criminal convictions operates the Money Laundering revised Asylum Act, and work on the Head of Department in fulfil- in Switzerland. It provides buil- Reporting Office Switzerland. Schengen/Dublin and prepara- ling his tasks within the govern- ding subsidies for the costs It also conducts its own investi- tions for the integration measu- ment and vis-à-vis the public. It incurred by the cantons for con- gations in cases of serious crime res set out in the report on inte- initiates, plans and coordinates struction work in connection (organised crime, money launde- gration. the department’s activities and with the implementation of cri- ring, corruption) under the super- Staff: 627 prepares the material that forms minal penalties and measures. vision of the Attorney General. Revenue: 37 700 000.– Expenditure: 840 900 000.– the basis for decisions that have Operational costs subsidies for Staff: 829 Director: Eduard Gnesa to be taken on government, par- youth welfare service premises Revenue: 1 400 000.– www.bfm.admin.ch Expenditure: 214 600 000.– liamentary or departmental busi- also help to ensure the quality of Director: Jean-Luc Vez ness. The General Secretariat the educational work. www.fedpol.ch supports the departmental offi- The Federal Office of Justice Office of the Attorney General of Switzerland OAG ces in the planning and achieve- represents Switzerland at inter- Federal Office for Migration ment of their objectives. national level before the FOM As the Confederation’s indepen- Operated as an administrative Strasbourg human rights bodies dent prosecuting authority, the unit the IT Service Centre (ISC) and in many other organisations The FOM is responsible for all Office of the Attorney General of develops and manages specific and is the national agency dea- matters relating to legislation on Switzerland, which forms part of and security-related IT applica- ling with international child foreign nationals and asylum. the FDJP, is responsible for inve- tions in the specific areas of poli- abductions and adoptions. The The office regulates immigration stigating and prosecuting offen- ce, justice and migration and, for office collaborates with foreign into Switzerland and in the Swiss ces directed against the example, investigation systems or authorities in the areas of mutual labour market. It also rules on Confederation or seriously affec- civilian status registers. assistance and extradition. which individuals are considered ting its interests, such as espio-

Staff: 153, ISC: 129 Staff: 215 to be refugees and hence receive nage, abuse of office by federal Revenue GS: 100 000.– Revenue: 12 000 000.– protection. Foreign nationals employees, and crimes involving Expenditure GS: 32 400 000.– Expenditure: 144 800 000.– Revenue ISC: 39 600 000.– Director: Michael Leupold living here on a permanent basis explosives or radioactive materi- Expenditure ISC: 37 300 000.– www.bj.admin.ch should be well integrated, if al. The office has also a mandato- Secretary-General: Walter Eberle necessary with state assistance. ry responsibility for prosecutions ISC Head: Christian Baumann www.ejpd.admin.ch The office, in conjunction with and the provision of legal assi- Federal Office of Police Fedpol the communes and the cantons, is stance in complex inter-cantonal responsible for naturalisation and international cases involving Federal Office of Justice FOJ In the field of internal security, procedures. organised crime and terrorism, Fedpol serves as a centre for The FOM also encourages the money laundering, corruption The FOJ drafts bills relating to information, coordination and voluntary return of asylum see- and, if called on to do so, white- the main areas of law, including analysis for its cantonal and kers to their country of origin collar crime. private law, criminal law, debt international partners. It has and assists in the repatriation of The Attorney General, the collection and bankruptcy, inter- preventive tasks focusing on the asylum seekers whose applica- Deputy Attorney Generals and the national private law and public protection of the state and on tions have been turned down and federal attorneys conduct federal and administrative law. The of- protective measures for people of foreign nationals who are resi- criminal proceedings in close fice also advises the other agen- and properties considered to be ding illegally in Switzerland. The cooperation with the Federal cies of the Federal Adminis- at risk, and is also involved in FOM maintains an international Criminal Police and work under

52 Head of Department: Christoph Blocher

i Federal Palace West Wing, 3003 Bern T 031 322 18 18, F 031 322 40 82 Livio Zanolari www.ejpd.admin.ch [email protected]

the supervision of the Federal For teachers, scientists and Swiss Federal Institute of Swiss Institute of Comparative Criminal Court, where they also Intellectual Property IIP Law SICL students, the SICL is a place for conduct the criminal proceedings conducting research and meeting brought by them and the federal The IIP advises the federal autho- The SICL is the centre of exper- people. Symposiums held all year examining magistrates. rities on questions relating to tise for comparative law and all round on current legal topics

Staff: 111 intellectual property and repre- matters of foreign and internatio- encourage exchanges of opinion Revenue: 1 100 000.– sents Switzerland abroad in all nal law for Switzerland. between legal experts. Regular Expenditure: 33 400 000.– Attorney General: Valentin Roschacher associated matters. Anyone who The Institute’s library, with its paper and electronic publications www.ba.admin.ch wishes to file a patent applica- unique collection of more than provide information on the latest tion for an invention, register a 300,000 books and documents in legal developments. trademark or file an industrial over 60 languages (online catalo- The hallmarks of the SICL’s Federal Office of Metrology design must contact the IIP, gue on www.isdc.ch/opac), is a international reputation are neu- METAS which administers these indus- repository of highly specialised trality, impartiality and profes- METAS is responsible for trial property rights. It also and sometimes rare information sionalism.

Switzerland’s national reference administers copyright although for experts and specialists the Staff: 33 measuring, ensures that it is it does not keep a copyright world over. The Institute’s com- Revenue: 2 300 000.– Expenditure: 7 200 000.– recognised internationally and register. prehensive European Docu- Director: Eleanor Cashin Ritaine passes on this measuring data The Institute has access to mentation Centre provides access www.isdc.ch with the requisite precision to more than 50 million patent to the latest legal developments research, business and the gene- documents from over 80 coun- within the EU. The librarians, Federal Gaming Board FGB ral public. It also ensures that tries and is able to document between them, work in as many any measuring can be carried out over 460 000 trademarks registe- as 49 languages. correctly and in accordance with red in Switzerland. Its services As a legal consultancy centre, The FGB is the statutory super- regulations. also include technology and the SICL offers both legislators visory authority responsible for State-of-the-art measuring patent information, research on and lawyers specialist legal monitoring compliance with casi- facilities in 118 laboratories free registered trademarks and intel- knowledge of the highest calibre no regulations, and issues the of external influences provide the lectual property training pro- in all legal systems. The SICL’s directives required for the imple- necessary metrological services. grammes. team of legal experts provide mentation of the Gaming Act. In One of these services is the ope- In terms of legislation, the legal opinions and carry out com- cases of violation, the Board also ration of high-precision caesium focus in 2007 is on the prepara- parative law studies for govern- acts as the prosecuting authority atomic clocks which METAS uses tion of the following submis- ment authorities, international and may issue rulings. It also to announce official Swiss time. sions: the creation of a federal organisation and courts, lawyers, assesses and levies gaming tax.

The time signals are broadcast in patent court, a professional code notaries and the general public in Staff: 29 the HBG long wave programme in for patent attorneys and impro- Switzerland and abroad. This Revenue: 5 000 000.– Expenditure: 8 000 000.– Prangins and on the internet. ved protection of “Switzerland” work is of great use to legislators Director: Jean-Marie Jordan Staff: 149 as a brand name. who can use it as a model and www.esbk.admin.ch Revenue: 6 800 000.– Staff: 204 source of inspiration for legis- Expenditure: 34 100 000.– Revenue: 45 800 000.– Director: Wolfgang Schwitz lative projects. Expenditure: 40 900 000.– www.metas.ch Director: Roland Grossenbacher www.ige.ch

53 54 The Federal Department of Defence, Civil Protection and Sports DDPS

Security and Motion In the largest government department of the Federal Administration there are over 12,000 staff working to ensure the security and pro- tection of, and promote physical activity among the Swiss population. In order to fulfil these tasks, the DDPS is divided into the four sectors of Defence, Civil Protection, Sport and Arma- suisse. In order to provide security, the armed for- ces, civil protection and civilian institutions work hand in hand. They protect and provide assistance at home and abroad. This includes guarding embassies, assisting in the event of natural disasters, protection duties during international conferences, supporting the Bor- der Police and peace promotion activities, which form an important contribution to inter- national security and consequently to Switzer- land’s own security. The DDPS also keeps itself in readiness to respond at any time to changes in the security situation at home and abroad. For that it needs modern material. That is the responsibility of the DDPS’s procurement and technology centre, Armasuisse. A further task of the DDPS is to encourage the Swiss population to keep active and thus promote better health. The Federal Office of Sport (FOSPO) in Magglingen deals with these programmes promotes sport at national level and is committed to tackling doping. Some of this year’s greatest challenges include the continued development of the armed forces and civil protection, and ongoing preparations for EURO 2008, which will be hos- ted jointly by Switzerland and Austria.

Federal Constitution, Article 58, Paragraph 1: Switzerland has armed forces. In principle the armed forces are organised as a militia.

The Armed Forces XXI are currently enjoying the highest approval ratings for more than a decade. In the latest security policy survey conducted by the FIT Zurich, 75 per cent of those questioned said they consider the armed forces to be necessary. This picture shows a young man going through the recruitment process. 65 per cent of those called up for ser- vice during the first nine months of 2006 were classed fit for duty – in line with the average.

55 ted war criminals regardless of Federal Department Strategic Intelligence Service Defence of Defence, Civil Protection nationality and the location of SIS and Sports DDPS the crimes.

Staff/budget: included in that of the GS Information and insights into the There has been a shift in the Military Attorney General: Brigadier Dieter Weber security policy environment in threat assessment for Switzer- General Secretariat GS www.oa.admin.ch Switzerland form the basis for land. That has been shown by the decision making by the political terrorist attacks on New York, The General Secretariat supports and military leadership. The ear- Madrid and London. While the DDPS Damage Centre the Head of Department in the lier these risks and opportunities threat of a conventional war bet- many tasks for which he is are identified, the sooner instru- ween two or more countries has responsible. It controls, coordi- The Centre settles claims for ments can be put in place to safe- not entirely disappeared in the nates and monitors the efficient damage caused by members of guard our interests effectively. western world, it has been super- use of resources in the individual the armed forces or by military or The SIS is the intelligence service seded by that of terrorism. sectors. This involves not only federal government vehicles. It that monitors developments in Security remains a product personnel and finances, but also therefore takes initial decisions risks and opportunities for that is created with civilian communications, and legal and with regard to claims made in Switzerland abroad. resources, such as the police and environmental issues. respect of injuries to persons and The focus of the intelligence border police. These resources The General Secretariat also animals, and damage to land and gathering and analysis activities are implemented in such a way as looks after the three Geneva property. With the help of inter- of the SIS are political, economic, to be able to ensure security in Centres: The Geneva nal and external specialists, the military and scientific/technical regular situations. If an extraor- International Centre for Centre also undertakes work in matters such as the proliferation dinary situation arises and if the Humanitarian Demining, The public relations, in training and of weapons of mass destruction. civilian forces are at the limits of

Geneva Centre for Security Policy prevention as well as in counsel- Staff/budget: included in that of the GS their capacity, the armed forces and the Centre for Democratic ling and research into the causes Direktor: Dr. Hans Wegmüller are ready to assist at the request www.snd.admin.ch Control of Armed Forces. of accidents. of the civilian authorities and

Staff: 296 Staff/budget: included in that of the GS take on certain tasks under their Revenue: 2 000 000.– Chef: Josef Leu command. They assist the local Expenditure: 109 000 000.– www.schadenzentrumvbs.ch Directorate for Security Policy Secretary-General: Dr. Markus Seiler DSP civilian authorities in the event www.vbs-ddps.admin.ch of natural disasters or support The Directorate for Security cantonal authorities where there Staff of the Federal Council SecCom Staff Policy prepares strategies and are threats to internal security. In Armed Forces Attorney General Security Committee AFAG reports on security policy, over- addition, the armed forces also The SecCom Staff provides per- sees missions at home and abro- contribute to international peace The military justice system is manent leadership support on ad from a security policy per- promotion efforts. They are pre- independent of armed forces behalf of the Federal Council spective, armed forces planning, pared to respond to changes in command and of the administra- Security Committee (Heads of defence procurement and the the security policy situation and tion. The Armed Forces Attorney DDPS, FDJP and FDFA) and the participation of the DDPS in the with a certain preparation time, General ensures that the military Security Steering Committee, the Partnership for Peace, coordina- to defend the country. justice institutions – the prosecu- SecCom advisory body. The tes the department’s internatio- The Defence Sector, led by the ting authorities and the military SecCom Staff prepares situation nal contacts and deals with arms Chief of the Armed Forces, crea- courts – are able to fulfil their assessments and scenarios for control and disarmament policy. tes the conditions that enable tasks. security policy decision makers Staff/budget: included in that of the GS these tasks to be fulfilled. It con- The AFAG is the highest prose- on the basis of analyses and Director: Ambassador Raimund Kunz sists of the Land and Air Forces, www.dsp.admin.ch cutor. In addition to the procedu- administration reports and the Armed Forces Planning Staff ral rights allocated to him he assists in crisis management at and the Armed Forces Joint Staff, supervises the proper conduct of federal level. the Armed Forces College, the criminal proceedings. Under the Staff/budget: included in that of the GS Armed Forces Logistics Geneva Conventions, he is also Head Staff SecCom: Zsolt Madarasz Organisation and the Armed responsible for pursuing suspec- Forces Command Support

56 Head of Department: Samuel Schmid

i Federal Palace East Wing, 3003 Bern T 031 324 50 58, F 031 324 51 04 Jean-Blaise Defago, Dominique Bugnon, Martin Bühler, Sebastian Hueber www.vbs.admin.ch

Organisation. The Armed Forces Federal Office for Civil preparations and in the event of Armasuisse Planning Staff has to look ahead Protection FOCP any incidents. These are the and be able to recognise future National Emergency Operations challenges with a military rele- While Switzerland has long been Centre, which processes some There is probably scarcely a vance. These form the basis for spared from armed conflicts, the 400 incident and damage reports household in Switzerland in armed forces and arms procure- country has increasingly had to a year and the Spiez Laboratory, which an Armasuisse product is ment guidelines. The Armed deal with environmental and which has also developed into a not to be found: a map or an Forces Joint Staff implements the natural disasters. Civil protection useful partner to the UN. atlas. These high quality pro- strategic guidelines through spe- comes into play in the case of Staff: 283 ducts are produced by the cific operations and ensures the disasters and emergency situa- Revenue: 9 400 000.– Federal Office of Topography Expenditure: 127 400 000.– required level of readiness. The tions as well as in the event of Director: Willi Scholl (Swisstopo), a division of Armed Forces College is responsi- armed conflict. In order to cope www.bevoelkerungsschutz.ch Armasuisse. ble for the basic and advanced with such incidents, it is able to However, its core activities training of Land Forces and Air provide crisis management, pro- involve the development, evalua- Federal Office of Sport Force militia officers and milita- tection, rescue and assistance. tion, procurement, disposal and FOSPO ry professionals. The Armed Civil protection has no military sale of equipment and construc- Forces Command Support character, but it is an integrated Sport is of major importance in tions. It primarily provides servi- Organisation is a one-stop shop system designed to ensure coor- society. The Federal Office of ces for the armed forces and for all the necessary electronic dination and cooperation bet- Sport promotes sport and its other clients within and outside support services. ween the five partner organisa- values for all age groups and at the DDPS. In addition to The Commanders of the Land tions, namely the police and fire all levels and across all sections Swisstopo, which also exercises Forces and the Air Force bear services, the health service, tech- of society. overall supervision and responsi- overall responsibility for the nical operations and civil defen- The FOSPO is organised in the bility for the official land survey, Land Forces and the Air Force ce. In disaster and emergency domains of sport policy, the there is also the Federal Office respectively. They ensure that situations, a joint management Swiss Federal Institute of Sports for Command and Control, personnel receive appropriate organisation can be set up. Magglingen, infrastructure and Telematics and Training Systems. training and guarantee the readi- Responsibility for civil protec- operations, services and the This is responsible for the procu- ness of ground and air force tion rests mainly with the can- Sports Centre Tenero. It devises rement and management of all units. tons. The federal government is and develops national sport poli- these systems in the armed for- Logistics is the backbone of responsible for measures relating cy and sees itself as a platform ces. The Federal Office for the armed forces. It is a prerequi- to any armed conflict as well as for evaluating, developing and Weapons Systems, Vehicles and site for successful armed forces for disasters and emergencies of implementing goals and strate- Equipment is responsible for the operations, whether in defence, national dimension. The gies for sport promotion. In the procurement and management of disaster relief and internal secu- Confederation is responsible for framework of the Swiss Sports all airborne and ground systems rity operations, or in internatio- early warning systems, the pro- School, the FOSPO provides for as well as the vehicles and mili- nal peace support missions. tective infrastructure and the the necessary training, research tary equipment. Logistics involves the shipping communications systems requi- and development. In Magglingen The Real Estate Sector is and return of supplies, mainte- red by management staff. and Tenero it runs centres for responsible for the efficient nance, medical services, trans- The FOCP is basically in char- education, training and courses. management of the 26,000 odd port, and infrastructure. ge at a national level. It consists The FOSPO coordinates the properties belonging to the DDPS.

Staff: 9833 on the one hand of organisational work in the preparation and The Science and Technology Revenue: 349 900 000.– units that deal with planning and running of the 2008 European Centre carries out technical exa- Expenditure: 5 128 200 000.– Chief of the Armed Forces: coordination matters, training, football championships in minations and assessments. Lieutenant-General Christophe Keckeis and maintaining the civil protec- Switzerland. Staff: 964 (inkl. Swisstopo) www.armee.ch Revenue: 1 392 400 000.– tion infrastructure, and on the Staff: 294 Expenditure: 1 150 500 000.– Revenue: 12 600 000.– other of specialist agencies Head: Dr. Alfred Markwalder Expenditure: 166 400 000.– www.armasuisse.ch which provide both the authori- Director: Matthias Remund ties and the operational units www.baspo.ch with efficient support in their

57 58 The Federal Department of Finance FDF

Financial policy by its very nature requires planning Financial policy is concerned with the income and expenditure of the national budget. It exists to serve society’s requirements of the state and is the key to the success of other policy areas such as social services, educa- tion, transport, security, maintenance of our natural resources, and infrastructures. In order to be able to meet these goals sustain- ably, the Confederation must also ensure that public finances are in a healthy state. A responsible financial policy creates room to manoeuvre politically. With an annual income and expenditure currently in excess of CHF 50 billion, it is vital to have a forward-looking planning. The Fede- ral Finance Administration FFA therefore draws up a budget for the coming year. For the three following years it makes a financial plan which lists all fixed and expected expen- ditures. In this way it is possible to see in good time whether projects can be funded, whether they must be scrapped or whether new sources of finance need to be made accessible. In its 2007 budget the FFA has radically restructured the accounting system. The structure of the accounts now follows the standard model used in the private sector with profit and loss accounts and balance sheets. This approach makes it easier to com- pare finances of the Confederation with those of other public bodies and the private sector. Federal financial policy will therefore be easier to understand and this will create con- fidence among the general public.

Federal Constitution, Article 183, Paragraphs 1 and 2: The Federal Council draws up the financial plan and the draft budget and prepares the federal accounts. It ensures orderly financial management.

In the same way that a beverage company fills thousands and thousands of bottles of different sizes every day, the Federal Department of Finance makes sure that all beneficiaries receive the resources to which they are entitled in accordance with the Constitution and the law. Its work is considerably more complicated though because it has to tap not just one source, but countless sources and get them all flowing in order to carry out its task consistently and on a continual basis.

59 Federal Finance Administration Federal Department General Secretariat Federal Office of of Finance FDF FFA Personnel FOPER

The General Secretariat acts as The FFA is responsible for the FOPER devises the principles The Federal Department of Finan- the central staff office for the budget and financial plans and and instruments of human ce plans the Confederation’s head of department with the key for managing the accounts, resources management for the income and monitors its expendi- sectors of Planning and Control- assessing the spending plans of Confederation. It carries out the ture. It promotes projects which ling, Communications and all departments and developing preparatory work for personnel- leave the national budget health- Resources. The main tasks of financial policy concepts such as related matters that come before ier and keep debt under control, Planning and Controlling are the the financial policy model, the the Federal Council, advises the improve conditions for the eco- acquisition, preparation and eva- new system of financial equali- departments and their agencies nomy, simplify the tax system, luation of information relevant to sation and allocation of tasks in implementing personnel poli- promote the efficiency of the the management of the depart- between the Confederation and cies, provides a central training Administration and lay the basis ment. It supervises the planning the cantons and the debt brake. programme and maintains relati- for a state that will be more effi- process and monitors and asses- It ensures that the Confederation ons with social partners. It ensu- cient in the future. ses the way in which items of can meet its payment obligations res that the Federal Administrati- business are dealt with in the at all times. It is also involved in on has the appropriate human offices (controlling/reporting). national and international finan- resources and instruments to The code of FDF communication ce and currency matters and face any future chal-lenges. follows the following principles: upholds Switzerland’s interests Staff: 96 information is mandatory, truth- in the context of its international Revenue: 100 000.– Expenditure: 194 500 000.– ful, factual and undistorted. The relations. In addition, it is Director: Juan Gut Resources Sector, to which the responsible for legislation on www.epa.admin.ch FDF translation services belong, banking and monetary matters coordinates and manages the and on financial law. The Money Federal Tax Administration FTA department’s financial, human Laundering Control Authority, resources and office space requi- Swissmint and the Central Com- rements as well as its IT needs. pensation Office, which manages The FTA is responsible for col- The Federal Strategy Unit for old age and survivors’ insurance lecting the bulk of federal reve- Information Technology (FSUIT) and invalidity insurance for nues. It also ensures the uniform is also affiliated to the General Swiss citizens living abroad, also application of federal tax laws in Secretariat. It has the task of come under the remit of the FFA. the cantons, develops strategies preparing for decisions on the Important FFA projects this year and principles for tax legislation use of information and communi- are the introduction of the new and negotiates double taxation cation technologies (ICT) in the accounting model, implementing conventions. In 2007, the FTA is Federal Administration, ensuring the new system of financial focusing on the new system for the quality of specifications, equalisation, work on new finan- the taxation of married couples managing IT programmes and cial market supervision, work on and families and the simplified coordinating the protection of resolving the problems of the implementation of the VAT sys- data and IT systems. federal pension fund and state- tem. In addition, it is working Staff: 106 owned companies and the review on a total revision of value Revenue: – of subsidies. added tax. Expenditure: 62 600 000.– Secretary-General: Peter Grütter Staff: 215 including the Money Laundering Staff: 982 www.efd.admin.ch Control Authority, and excluding Swissmint (18) Revenue: 41 210 600 000.– and the Central Compensation Office (571) Expenditure: 7 505 000 000.– (including canto- Revenue: 2 481 500 000.– nal contributions to federal taxes) Expenditure: 4 285 800 000.– Director: Urs Ursprung Director: Peter Siegenthaler www.estv.admin.ch www.efv.admin.ch

60 Head of Department: Hans-Rudolf Merz

i Bundesgasse 3, 3003 Bern T 031 322 60 33, F 031 323 38 52 Elisabeth Meyerhans Sarasin, Dieter Leutwyler www.efd.admin.ch [email protected]

tion will be adapted and customer FOPI also monitors the recogni- Federal Customs Swiss Alcohol Board SAB Administration FCA requirements given greater sed health insurance companies priority. with regard to additional health

Customs monitors the import, Staff: 585 insurance coverage. The FOPI is The SAB regulates the alcohol export and transit of goods. It Revenue: 325 500 000.– guided by a risk-based monito- market (not including naturally Expenditure: 326 000 000.– collects customs duties, road Director: Marius Redli ring philosophy in this respect. fermented products) by means of traffic charges and taxes. Appro- www.bit.admin.ch Staff: 79 taxes, controls, advertising res- ximately CHF 20 billion a year Revenue: 26 700 000.– trictions and bans. Alcosuisse, Expenditure: 20 400 000.– flows through customs into the the SAB’s profit centre is respon- Federal Office for Buildings Director: Monica Mächler federal coffers. The Central Con- and Logistics FOBL www.bpv.admin.ch sible for trade in ethanol (high trol Office for Precious Metals, grade alcohol). Carbon dioxide which forms part of the Customs The FOBL is responsible for pro- emissions in road traffic are Administration, checks jewellery perty management and the cen- Swiss Federal Banking reduced by 600,000 tonnes a year Commission SFBC and watches for their authentici- tral procurement of non-durable by mixing ethanol with fuels. ty. The Border Guard is the uni- goods for the Federal Administra- The Swiss Federal Banking Com- There are currently around 150 formed and armed part of the tion, as well as for dealing with mission supervises banks, secu- petrol stations that sell petrol FCA and, in addition to customs, data output, the production and rities dealers, investment funds with a 5 per cent ethanol content. carries out policing duties at the distribution of federal publica- and stock exchanges, as well as Staff: 151 border. tions and the production of secu- the disclosure of shareholding Revenue: 278 470 000.– Expenditure: 32 670 000.– Staff: 4524 rity passes, most importantly the interests, public takeover bids Director: Lucien Erard Revenue: 10 359 400 000.– Swiss passport. The main focus and mortgage lenders. The costs, www.eav.admin.ch Expenditure: 1 224 600 000.– Director: Rudolf Dietrich in 2007 is the refurbishment of which amount to around CHF 30 www.zoll.admin.ch the Parliament Building, the con- million, are borne by the institu- Federal Pension Fund struction of a new IT centre for tions under supervision. The PUBLICA

Federal Office of Information the Federal Administration and SFBC is an independent federal Technology, Systems and the reconstruction of the under- administrative authority that is PUBLICA provides insurance FOITT Telecommunication ground stacks of the Swiss Na- affiliated to the FDF for adminis- cover to employees of the Federal The FOITT provides services for tional Library. trative purposes. Administration, the Parliamenta- the whole of the federal adminis- Staff: 656 Staff: 151 ry Services, the Confederation’s tration in the fields of telecom- Revenue: 952 600 000.– Revenue: 33 500 000.– administrative units, federal Expenditure: 668 900 000.– Expenditure: 36 200 000.– munications, IT training and Director: Gustave E. Marchand Director: Daniel Zuberbühler arbitration and appeals commis- operational security, and also www.bbl.admin.ch www.ebk.admin.ch sions, the federal courts and has centres of expertise for the associated organisations. internet and SAP. In addition, it PUBLICA’s main objective in 2007 Federal Office of Private Swiss Federal Audit Office FAO provides IT services for its own Insurance FOPI is the preparation for the techni- department, the Federal Depart- cal migration to a contribution- ment of the Environment, Trans- The FOPI supervises the commer- As the Confederation’s supreme based pension plan. port, Energy and Communicati- cial operations of private insu- audit institution, the FAO scruti- Staff: 118 ons, the Federal Department of rance companies (life insurance nises accounting practices and Revenue: 1 045 028 000.– Expenditure: 2 123 813 000.– Home Affairs, the Federal Depart- companies, bodily injury and verifies the proper and efficient Director: Werner Hertzog ment of Justice and Police and physical damage insurers and use of resources by the Federal www.publica.ch the Federal Chancellery. reinsurers). It issues licences to Administration and other public In view of the changeover to operate a business, checks and service institutions and subsidy management by performance approves life and health insuran- recipients. mandate and global budget as of ce products, controls the annual Staff: 88 1 January 2007, and the introduc- accounts, inspects companies Revenue: 1 000 000.– Expenditure: 19 100 000.– tion of performance accounting in and intervenes if there is abuse. Director: Kurt Grüter the federal administration, the In addition to the Federal Office www.efk.admin.ch internal processes and organisa- of Public Health supervision, the

61 62 The Federal Department of Economic Affairs FDEA

Maintaining Competitiveness Switzerland is now considered to be a middle-ranking economic power. We are perceived by an increasing number of foreign companies as a location for work with a liberal labour market and an innovati- ve business climate. Our companies are able to compete in the world market and we are ranked as one of the most competitive eco- nomies worldwide. The Federal Department of Economic Affairs’ main concern is for Switzerland to maintain and build on this position. With a staff of over two thousand, we create optimum conditions for employ- ees, employers and entrepreneurs, for the business community and large multination- als, and for manufacturers and consumers. The FDEA is responsible for making deci- sions on the economy, education and re- search and ensuring their implementation. Our policy aims to provide the best possible start in the world of work by offering people a good education and a high standard of voca- tional training in their chosen career. We aim to create an innovation-friendly climate so that businesses can hold their own in global competition and provide jobs. In this way we will be able to continue positioning Switzer- land as an outward-looking place to live and as a liberal and business-friendly work and research location in the world market.

Federal Constitution, Article 96, Paragraph 1: The Confederation shall legislate against the damaging effects in economic or social terms of cartels and other restraints of competition.

Suppliers offering similar products in a market can be tempted to form cartels: they collude to set common prices or divide markets among themselves. Their concentrated power is threatening to consumers who are left without any alternative, and they hamper economic development as they make it impossible to establish a free flow of supply and demand. Cartels are generally formed by companies, but can also be formed by other organisations or even countries, as exemplified by OPEC, the Organization of the Petroleum Exporting Countries.

63 Federal Department board that they would be unable cial partners and government. covers the regulation of basic of Economic Affairs to perform military service on the It supports the regionally and and further training and ensures FDEA grounds of conscience. The Cen- structurally balanced develop- the quality of training provided. tral Office for Civilian Service is ment of the economy and ensures The universities of applied sci- responsible for processing these the protection of employees. ences pass on knowledge in such General Secretariat GS applications and for the subse- Through its labour market policy, a way that it can be applied quent hearings at its seven regio- it contributes to the prevention practically in business and socie- The General Secretariat is the nal centres. It is also responsible and tackling of unemployment ty, thus complementing the cour- department’s staff and coordina- for the recognition of the institu- and consequently to upholding ses offered by the universities. tion office. It supports and advi- tions in which the service is to be social peace. Through its innovation policies, ses the Head of Department in performed and provides advice to SECO also helps to ensure the OPET ensures the transfer of her daily work. Its brief also both the individuals and the access to all markets for Swiss know-how between science and involves planning, coordinating institutions concerned. goods and services and invest- business. That is the task of the and monitoring the department’s The Federal Institute for Voca- ment. In terms of foreign trade Swiss Innovation Promotion activities and it is responsible tional Education (FIVE) has taken policy, it is active in the formula- Agency KTI/CTI, which finances for overseeing the results and over the tasks that the Swiss tion of efficient, fair and trans- and supports applied research assessing the effects of its deci- Pedagogical Institute for Vocatio- parent rules for the world econo- and development, know-how and sions. The General Secretariat nal Education carried out for my. Switzerland’s relations to the technology transfer between uni- provides services for the whole over 30 years. On behalf of the European Union and to the Euro- versities and companies. department in the areas of Swiss Confederation, the FIVE pean Free Trade Association are Staff: 134 human resources, finances and ensures the basic and further coordinated by the Integration Revenue: 700 000.– Expenditure: 976 800 000.– logistics, accounting and transla- training of those responsible for Office, a joint office of the FDFA Direktorin: Ursula Renold tion. IT services are provided university-level vocational edu- and the FDEA. SECO is also www.bbt.admin.ch through its IT Service Centre. cation and manages the research involved in efforts to reduce

Staff: 75, IT: 38 and development of vocational poverty in the form of economic Revenue: 22 800 000.– education. With locations in the development cooperation. Federal Office for Agriculture Expenditure: 75 000 000.– FOAG Secretary-General: Walter Thurnherr French, German and Italian-spea- Staff: 511 www.edv.admin.ch king regions it is able to address Revenue: 6 600 000.– Switzerland has 106 457 hectares Expenditure: 724 900 000.– the varying needs of the different Director: Jean-Daniel Gerber of farmland, 1 544 000 head of Also affiliated to the General regions. www.seco.admin.ch cattle in its pastures and Secretariat are the Federal Con- employs 190 378 people in the sumer Affairs Bureau, the Central agricultural sector. Each year, the State Secretariat for Economic Office for Civilian Service, and Federal Office for Professional federal government provides Affairs SECO Education and Technology OPET the Federal Institute for Vocatio- agriculture with financial sup- nal Education. SECO is the Swiss Confedera- “Promoting innovation” is the port of around CHF 3.4 billion. Swiss consumers have access tion’s central office for all core motto the OPET applies to its The FOAG works to ensure that to over 22 million different pro- issues of economic policy. Its three specialised fields of voca- the country’s farmers produce ducts and services. The office stated aim is to promote sustai- tional education, universities of high quality foodstuffs in a way takes account of the interests of nable economic growth by crea- applied science and innovation that is both sustainable and consumers and of the economy ting an appropriate regulatory policy. High-quality training market-oriented. Its aim is to as a whole. In order to publicise and economic framework. opportunities in vocational edu- have a multifunctional farming consumer concerns, it also pro- Employers and employees cation, at university level and system that contributes towards motes access to objective infor- should be able to benefit from through lifelong learning ensure meeting the food needs of the mation. growth-oriented policies, the that society has the kind of population and maintaining the Last year, almost two thousand removal of barriers to trade, and knowledge that provides Switzer- basic necessities of life as well Swiss men were approved for the reduction of Switzerland’s land with a high degree of inno- as towards the settlement of civilian service. These men were relatively high prices. On the vativeness, making it an attrac- rural areas. It must also seek a able to demonstrate credibly to domestic front, SECO acts as an tive location for business and socially acceptable balance bet- the civilian service admission interface between business, so- investors. Vocational education ween developments in domestic

64 Head of Department: Doris Leuthard

i Federal Palace East Wing, 3003 Bern T 031 322 20 07, F 031 322 21 94 Christophe Hans, Evelyn Kobelt, Simone Hug www.evd.admin.ch

policy and the need to respond to dation. The FOH, the central Federal Office for National Competition Commission changing external factors. The Economic Supply FONES office for housing, works closely ComCo FOAG deals with the develop- with property developers to ment of rural areas and promo- Switzerland buys virtually 100 ensure that sufficient reasonably Agreements on the sale of books tes agricultural research. per cent of its raw materials, 80 priced housing is built, providing and therapeutic products, recom-

Staff: 1015 per cent of its energy, around a basic stock of affordable mended retail prices, territorial Revenue: 181 200 000.– one-third of all its food, and a accommodation that takes restrictions: ComCo, which is Expenditure: 3 616 300 000.– Director: Manfred Bötsch large proportion of essential the- changing needs into account. The responsible for matters relating www.blw.admin.ch rapeutic products from abroad. FOH also seeks to reconcile the to cartel legislation, works on In cooperation with the private interests of landlords and behalf of consumers as well as sector, FONES ensures that tenants in the area of tenancy businesses to ensure that there Federal Veterinary Office FVO people in Switzerland have ad- law. is fair competition. It is an inde- equate supplies of vital commo- Staff: 49 pendent body and concentrates Millions of animals are raised on dities at all times. Basic supplies Revenue: 21 000 000.– its efforts on fighting cartel Expenditure: 161 700 000.– farms or kept as pets in Switzer- of food, energy supplies and the- Director: Peter Gurtner agreements, the compartment- land. From the humble goldfish rapeutic drugs are guaranteed by www.bwo.admin.ch alisation of the Swiss market, to dogs, cows or chickens, they protecting imports, setting up abuse of dominant positions and all bring happiness or provide compulsory reserves and making state limitations on competition. Office of the Price Supervisor valuable foods such as meat, full use of domestic production. It is also responsible for imple- milk or eggs. This is only possi- In addition, it is FONES’ task to menting domestic market regula- ble with well cared for and ensure that there is transport for People used to worry about the tions and ensuring that busines- healthy animals. The FVO active- basic supplies, that sensitive cost of a cup of coffee. Now it ses have unrestricted access ly combats animal disease and industrial products are available tends to be doctors’ bills, water to the market throughout the promotes the production of top- and that IT infrastructures rates, rubbish disposal and pos- country. quality foods. It is also very acti- remain in operation. It also takes tal charges. Price supervision is Staff: 43 ve in the protection of animals measures to ensure the equitable aimed at protecting consumers Revenue: 300 000.– Expenditure: 9 200 000.– and conservation of species. This distribution of scarce commo- from excessive pricing. It moni- Director: Rafael Corazza is good for the animals but it dities. tors price tendencies and blocks www.weko.ch also means that people in Swit- Staff: 31 or overrules improper price zerland can rely on having good Revenue: 100 000.– increases or prices that have not Expenditure: 7 300 000.– food, with a very low risk of Delegate: Gisèle Girgis-Musy been determined under free mar- being infected with salmonella or www.bwl.admin.ch ket conditions. other bacteria from animals. This Staff: 13 high standard increases the sale Revenue: – Federal Office for Housing FOH Expenditure: 2 106 000.– of Swiss agricultural produce at Price supervisor: Rudolf Strahm home and abroad. The stated aim www.preisueberwacher.admin.ch of the FVO is to ensure animal Housing is a basic need. General- welfare and human health. ly speaking, people in Switzer-

Staff: 104 land are well provided for in this Revenue: 3 400 000.– regard although housing is very Expenditure: 45 500 000.– Director: Hans Wyss expensive for many people and www.bvet.admin.ch households. As a result of the ageing population, changed fami- ly and household structures, the immigration of foreign cultural groups and new lifestyles and work formulas, adjustments have to be made when building and renovating residential accommo-

65 66 Federal Department of the Environment, Transport, Energy and Communications DETEC

Service public – Switzerland’s trademark Post is delivered next day throughout the entire country, the trains are on time, power flows at the flick of a switch: The reliable provision of transport, energy and communications servi- ces is a trademark of Switzerland and a prere- quisite for a high standard of living and a thri- ving economy. It is precisely because these services are so important that the state ensures that these are available to all. At federal level this is the responsibility of DETEC. Over 1700 people are committed to what is known as “Service public”. At the same time, the department also seeks to preserve the environment and the country’s attractive natural landscapes. Efficient infrastructure – a healthy natural environment: at DETEC, interests in exploiting or preserving our surroundings often clash. This has its advantages, as it allows these con- flicts of objectives to be resolved under one roof. In doing so, the Department adheres to the principle of sustainability: our current needs must be met in a way that does not dimi- nish the opportunities available to future gene- rations. What is meant by ‘service public’ in terms of postal services? This question is currently being examined by DETEC as part of a total revision of postal legislation. It must ensure that postal services function in towns just as in mountain valleys – and at a reasonable cost. The postal market is progressively being ope- ned to enable private firms to offer services and bring a certain degree of competition.

Federal Constitution, Article 92, Paragraph 2: The Confederation shall ensure the adequate, universal and reasonably priced provision of postal and telecommunications services in all regions of the country.

It is not uncommon for public services, such as the post office, to also provide a degree of individual service that goes beyond what is strictly required; something that is greatly valued especially for people who have little social contact – because they live alone and in remote areas, as in the case of this pensioner in the Jura region of Neuchâtel, or because they have difficulty getting around due to infirmity and old age.

67 Federal Department of the Federal Office of Transport Federal Office of Civil Aviation Swiss Federal Office of Energy Environment, Transport, Energy FOT FOCA SFOE and Communications DETEC In spring 2006 the funicular rail- “Only water allowed for passen- Each year the SFOE publishes way between Lauterbrunnen and gers to the USA: No liquids allo- statistics on Swiss energy con- General Secretariat Mürren, which was over one hun- wed in hand luggage on flights to sumption for the previous year dred years old, was closed as it the USA”. Following the foiled with new record figures to report DETEC’s federal offices are loca- was no longer considered to be terrorist attacks in London in each time. Just how long this ted in Ittigen and Biel. The office safe due to geological problems. which liquid explosive was trend can continue is questiona- directors meet at the General It was replaced in the same year meant to have been used, securi- ble as fossil fuels are becoming Secretariat several times a year by a modern cableway. Who actu- ty regulations were tightened at ever more expensive and there is as it is not uncommon for seve- ally decides where cableways can short notice. In such situations a risk of bottlenecks in energy ral offices to have an interest in be operated and what safety the FOCA has its work cut out: it supply. Do we need new nuclear ongoing business at the same regulations have to be met? The has to analyse possible measures power stations right away, do we time. The meeting provides an FOT: it issues the necessary and coordinate these with its buy in wind power from abroad opportunity to discuss these licences, approves construction foreign partners. Airports, airline or would it make more sense to issues at the highest level. plans and ultimately issues the companies and the public then save energy? The SFOE’s series of The GS serves as the staff operating licence. have to be informed. ‘Energy Outlook 2035’ reports is office for the Head of Depart- The FOT is the agency respon- The FOCA supervises civil intended to encourage debate ment. It plans and coordinates sible for public transport. From aviation in our country and pla- about the shape of our country’s all department activities inclu- Intercity trains to trams, cable ces great emphasis on air safety. future energy supply. ding public relations. In addi- cars and even paddle steamers, It is involved in the shaping of The SFOE is responsible for tion, it also exercises the role of Switzerland has a comprehensive government guidelines in the the secure, sufficient and envi- owner with regard to Swiss Post, and reliable transport network. rapidly evolving airline industry ronmentally sound provision of SBB, Swisscom and Skyguide and The FOT makes sure that it and in defining future approach power in Switzerland. It is not supervises the implementation of remains that way, and that the path procedures to Zurich air- only interested in ensuring that the strategic aims set out by the network continues to be moder- port. diverse forms of energy are avai- Federal Council. nised and is operated safely Staff: 224 lable, but above all that improve- The Independent Complaints despite pressure to cut costs. At Revenue: 7 100 000.– ments are made in terms of ener- Expenditure: 97 300 000.– Authority for Radio and Televi- present, the focus is on the con- Director: Raymond Cron gy efficiency. This is where the sion, the Public Transport Acci- struction of the New Rail Links www.aviation.admin.ch SwissEnergy programme comes dent Investigation Office, the through the Alps (NRLA), the new in. It has the aim of reducing Aircraft Accident Investigation rail tunnels at the Lötschberg energy consumption and promo- Bureau, the postal services regu- and at the Gotthard. They form ting renewable energies. lation authority (PostReg), and the basis for Switzerland’s traffic Also affiliated to the SFOE is the special tasks service for the transfer policy which aims to the Federal Nuclear Safety communications sector are all shift freight traffic away from Inspectorate HSK. This indepen- affiliated to DETEC. the roads and onto the rails. dent agency also supervises sto- Staff: 116 Staff: 253 rage facilities for radioactive Revenue: 15 000 000.– Revenue: 6 100 000.– waste. Expenditure: 130 900 000.– Expenditure: 4 626 500 000.– Secretary-General: Hans Werder Director: Max Friedli Staff: 118 (SFOE) 92 (HSK) www.uvek.admin.ch www.bav.admin.ch Revenue: 44 200 000.– Expenditure: 132 100 000.– Director: Walter Steinmann www.bfe.admin.ch / www.energie-schweiz.ch

68 Head of Department: Moritz Leuenberger

i Federal Palace North Wing, 3003 Bern T 031 322 55 11, F 031 311 95 76 André Simonazzi www.uvek.admin.ch

Federal Roads Office Federal Office of Federal Office for the Federal Office for Spatial FEDRO Communications OFCOM Environment FOEN Development ARE

Traffic on the roads: Lower drink Listening to the radio in CD qua- We all want to live healthily and Young people increasingly want drive limits, fewer deaths. Those lity is not a thing of the future, in safety. We also want to be able to live in their own apartment were the headlines in the Sunday but is already here in the form of to enjoy nature with its varied and have their own car. The num- papers following the publication Digital Audio Broadcasting (DAB). landscapes, animal and plant life ber of vehicles on Switzerland’s of road accident figures for 2005 Radio and TV stations want to and that as naturally as possible. roads has risen to five million showing a 20 per cent fall in introduce this new technology, That we also expect a sound eco- and never before have there been accident-related deaths and an but require new radio frequen- nomy and that we should be able so many one-person households. eight per cent fall in serious inju- cies in order to do so. Allocating to travel wherever we want is a More living space, more free-time ries compared to the previous these frequencies, however, is a given. activities, more traffic: our life- year. This pleasing news is large- fairly complicated and politically So what does all that have to style demands ever more space, ly due to a reduction in the per- delicate matter. In order to pre- do with environmental policy? A yet Switzerland remains just as mitted blood alcohol content vent interference between sta- great deal. Particularly in Swit- small. Conflicts of interest in level and more frequent road tions, frequency allocations have zerland with its mountains, terms of spatial planning are checks. Other further measures to be coordinated well beyond safety is closely tied in with inevitable. Responding to these have also played a successful national boundaries. To that end, nature. Just think of flooding, problems is the main part of the part in improving road safety as a large international conference rock slides or avalanches. The ARE’s work. Its specialists col- part of FEDRO’s ‘Via sicura’ pro- was held in Geneva last year FOEN helps to make sure that the late statistics, analyses and fore- gramme which aims to signifi- with over a hundred states repre- cantons, communes and residents casts in the fields of spatial and cantly reduce the number of road sented. Switzerland had prepared are prepared for these things – be traffic development and advise deaths by 2010. the ground together with its it in the form of protective the cantons when housing and FEDRO ensures that our roads neighbouring countries and was forests or maps indicating likely traffic planning in built-up areas run as smoothly as possible. It able to negotiate optimal conditi- natural hazards. Health also has have to be reconciled, for exam- supervises the maintenance and ons so that our country has suf- a lot to do with our environment: ple, or to counter urban sprawl. operation of the national road ficient capacity for a comprehen- it is easier to breathe when there The ARE, together with other network and oversees numerous sive introduction of digital is less fine particle dust or ozone important federal, cantonal, large-scale projects until their broadcasting. in the air. Less noise pollution is municipal and communal actors, completion. In addition to allocating fre- also better for our well-being. is currently in the process of Staff: 168 quencies for radio and television Varied and intact landscapes are developing new principles desig- Revenue: 7 300 000.– stations, it also ensures the fair not only beautiful, they are also ned to adapt land use planning Expenditure: 2 801 700 000.– Director: Rudolf Dieterle distribution of licence fee reve- important for tourism. to future requirements. www.astra.admin.ch nues and sees that broadcasters For a long time environmental Staff: 60 do not contravene regulations, policy was characterised by Revenue: – Expenditure: 15 300 000.– e.g. against product placement. emergency measures to protect Director: Pierre-Alain Rumley Another of OFCOM’s important the environment. Nowadays it is www.are.admin.ch roles is to deal with questions of understood in a broader sense market opening in the field of and helps to make use of the telecommunications and mobile environment – in such a way that communications. our grandchildren will be able to Staff: 269 do the same. Revenue: 60 500 000.– Staff: 376 Expenditure: 98 500 000.– Revenue: 27 300 000.– Director: Martin Dumermuth Expenditure: 729 700 000.– www.bakom.admin.ch Director: Bruno Oberle www.umwelt-schweiz.ch

69 The members of the Federal Council since 1848 In chronological order with the relevant canton and party (the party names conform to the names currently used), the number of years in office and the years of birth and death.

ZH Jonas AG Emil BL Emil AG Edmund Furrer Welti Frey Schulthess FDP, 1848 – 1861 FDP, 1867 – 1891 FDP, 1891 – 1897 FDP, 1912 – 1935 *3.3.1805 †25.7.1861 *23.4.1825 †24.2.1899 *24.10.1838 †24.12.1922 *2.3.1868 †22.4.1944

BE Ulrich VD Victor LU Josef GR Felix-Louis Ochsenbein Ruffy Zemp Calonder FDP, 1848 – 1854 FDP, 1868 – 1869 CVP, 1892 – 1908 FDP, 1913 – 1920 *24.11.1811 †3.11.1890 *18.1.1823 †29.12.1869 *2.9.1834 †8.12.1908 *7.12.1863 †14.6.1952

VD Henri VD Paul GE Adrien GE Gustave Druey Ceresole Lachenal Ador FDP, 1848 – 1855 FDP, 1870 – 1875 FDP, 1893 – 1899 Lib., 1917 – 1919 *12.4.1799 †29.3.1855 *16.11.1832 †7.1.1905 *19.5.1849 †29.6.1918 *23.12.1845 †31.3.1928

SO Josef ZH Johann Jakob VD Eugène ZH Robert Munzinger Scherer Ruffy Haab FDP, 1848 – 1855 FDP, 1872 – 1878 FDP, 1894 – 1899 FDP, 1918 – 1929 *11.11.1791 †6.2.1855 *10.11.1825 †23.12.1878 *2.8.1854 †25.10.1919 *8. 8. 1865 †15. 10. 1939

TI Stefano NE Eugène BE Eduard BE Karl Franscini Borel Müller Scheurer FDP, 1848 – 1857 FDP, 1873 – 1875 FDP, 1895 – 1919 FDP, 1920 – 1929 *23.10.1796 †19.7.1857 *17.6.1835 †14.6.1892 *12.11.1848 †9.11.1919 *27. 9. 1872 †14. 11. 1929

AG Friedrich GL Joachim BS Ernst VD Ernest Frey-Herosé Heer Brenner Chuard FDP, 1848 – 1866 FDP, 1876 – 1878 FDP, 1897 – 1911 FDP, 1920 – 1928 *12.10.1801 †22.9.1873 *25.9.1825 †1.3.1879 *9.12.1856 †11.3.1911 *31.7.1857 †9.11.1942

SG Wilhelm Mathias TG Fridolin NE Robert FR Jean-Marie Naeff Anderwert Comtesse Musy FDP, 1848 – 1875 FDP, 1876 – 1880 FDP, 1900 – 1912 CVP, 1920 – 1934 *19.2.1802 †21.1.1881 *19.9.1828 †25.12.1880 *14.8.1847 †17.11.1922 *10.4.1876 †19.4.1952

BE Jakob SO Bernhard VD Marc-Emile TG Heinrich Stämpfli Hammer Ruchet Häberlin FDP, 1855 – 1863 FDP, 1876 – 1890 FDP, 1900 – 1912 FDP, 1920 – 1934 *23.2.1820 †15.5.1879 *3.3.1822 †6.4.1907 *14.9.1853 †13.7.1912 *6.9.1868 †26.2.1947

VD Constant NE Numa ZH Ludwig VD Marcel Fornerod Droz Forrer Pilet-Golaz FDP, 1855 – 1867 FDP, 1876 – 1892 FDP, 1903 – 1917 FDP, 1929 – 1944 *30.5.1819 †27.11.1899 *27.1.1844 †15.12.1899 *9.2.1845 †28.9.1921 *31.12.1889 †11.4.1958

LU Josef Martin GR Simeon LU Josef Anton BE Rudolf Knüsel Bavier Schobinger Minger FDP, 1855 – 1875 FDP, 1879 – 1883 CVP, 1908 – 1911 SVP, 1930 – 1940 *16.11.1813 †14.1.1889 *16.9.1825 †27.1.1896 *30.1.1849 †27.11.1911 *13.11.1881 †23.8.1955

TI Giovanni Battista ZH Wilhelm Friedrich SG Arthur ZH Albert Pioda Hertenstein Hoffmann Meyer FDP, 1855 – 1864 FDP, 1879 – 1888 FDP, 1911 – 1917 FDP, 1930 – 1938 *4.10.1808 †3.11.1882 *5.5.1825 †27.11.1888 *18.6.1857 †23.7.1927 *13.3.1870 †22.10.1953

ZH Jakob VD Louis TI Giuseppe AR Johannes Dubs Ruchonnet Motta Baumann FDP, 1861 – 1872 FDP, 1881 – 1893 CVP, 1912 – 1940 FDP, 1934 – 1940 *26.7.1822 †13.1.1879 *28.4. 1834 †14.9.1893 *29.12.1871 †23.1.1940 *27.11.1874 †8.9.1953

BE Carl TG Adolf NE Louis ZG Philipp Schenk Deucher Perrier Etter FDP, 1864 – 1895 FDP, 1883 – 1912 FDP, 1912 – 1913 CVP, 1934 – 1959 *1.12.1823 †18.7.1895 *15.2.1831 †10.7.1912 *22.5.1849 †16.5.1913 *21.12.1891 †23.12.1977

GE Jean-Jacques ZH Walter VD Camille SO Hermann Challet-Venel Hauser Decoppet Obrecht FDP, 1864 – 1872 FDP, 1889 – 1902 FDP, 1912 – 1919 FDP, 1935 – 1940 *11.5.1811 †6.8.1893 *1.5. 1837 †22.10.1902 *4.6.1862 †14.1.1925 *26.3.1882 †21.8.1940

70 ZH Ernst TI Giuseppe ZG Hans LU Kaspar Wetter Lepori Hürlimann Villiger FDP, 1939 – 1943 CVP, 1955 – 1959 CVP, 1974 – 1982 FDP, 1989 – 2003 *27.8.1877 †10.8.1963 *2.6.1902 †6.9.1968 *6.4.1918 †22.2.1994 *5.2.1941

TI Enrico BE Friedrich Traugott VD Georges-André GE Ruth Celio Wahlen Chevallaz Dreifuss CVP, 1940 – 1950 SVP, 1959 – 1965 FDP, 1974 – 1983 SP, 1993 – 2002 *19.6.1889 †22.2.1980 *10.4.1899 †7.11.1985 *7.2.1915 †8.9.2002 *9.1.1940

SO Walther FR Jean ZH Fritz ZH Moritz Stampfli Bourgknecht Honegger Leuenberger FDP, 1940 – 1947 CVP, 1960 – 1962 FDP, 1978 – 1982 SP, 1995 *3.12.1884 †11.10.1965 *16.9.1902 †23.12.1964 *25.7.1917 †4.3.1999 *21.9.1946

BE Eduard ZH Willy NE Pierre VS Pascal von Steiger Spühler Aubert Couchepin SVP, 1941 – 1951 SP, 1960 – 1970 SP, 1978 – 1987 FDP, 1998 *2.7.1881 †10.2.1962 *31.1.1902 †31.5.1990 *3.3.1927 *5.4.1942

SG Karl OW Ludwig GR Leon AI Ruth Kobelt von Moos Schlumpf Metzler-Arnold FDP, 1941 – 1954 CVP, 1960 – 1971 SVP, 1980 – 1987 CVP, 1999 – 2003 *1.8. 1891 †5.1.1968 *31.1.1910 †26.11.1990 *3.2.1925 *23.5.1964

ZH Ernst BS Hans Peter LU Alphons FR Joseph Nobs Tschudi Egli Deiss SP, 1944 – 1951 SP, 1960 – 1973 CVP, 1983 – 1986 CVP, 1999 *14.7.1886 †15.3.1957 *22.10.1913 †30.9.2002 *8.10.1924 *18.1.1946

NE Max AG Hans ZH Rudolf BE Samuel Petitpierre Schaffner Friedrich Schmid FDP, 1945 – 1961 FDP, 1961 – 1969 FDP, 1983 – 1984 SVP, 2001 *26.2.1899 †25.31994 *16.12.1908 †26.11.2004 *4.7.1923 *8.1.1947

VD Rodolphe VS Roger SO Otto GE Micheline Rubattel Bonvin Stich Calmy-Rey FDP, 1948 – 1954 CVP, 1962 – 1973 SP, 1984 – 1995 SP, 2003 4.9.1896 †18.10.1961 *12.9.1907 †5.6.1982 *10.1.1927 *8.7.1945

VS Joseph BE Rudolf VD Jean-Pascal ZH Christoph Escher Gnägi Delamuraz Blocher CVP, 1950 – 1954 SVP, 1966 – 1979 FDP, 1984 – 1998 SVP, 2004 *17.9.1885 †9.12.1954 *3.8.1917 †20.4.1985 *1.4.1936 †4.10.1998 *11.10.1940

BE Markus TI Nello ZH Elisabeth AR Hans-Rudolf Feldmann Celio Kopp Merz SVP, 1952 – 1958 FDP, 1967 – 1973 FDP, 1984 – 1989 FDP, 2004 *21.5.1897 †3.11.1958 *12.2.1914 †29.12.1995 *16.12.1936 *10.11.1942

ZH Max NE Pierre AI Arnold AG Doris Weber Graber Koller Leuthard SP, 1952 – 1954 SP, 1970 – 1978 CVP, 1987 – 1999 CVP, 2006 *2.8.1897 †2.12.1974 *6.12.1908 †19.7.2003 *29.8.1933 *10.4.1963

ZH Hans ZH Ernst TI Flavio Streuli Brugger Cotti FDP, 1954 – 1959 FDP, 1970 – 1978 CVP, 1987 – 1999 *13.7.1892 †23.5.1970 *10.3.1914 †20.6.1998 *18.10.1939

SG Thomas SG Kurt NE René Holenstein Furgler Felber CVP, 1955 – 1959 CVP, 1972 – 1986 SP, 1988 – 1993 *7.2.1896 †31.10.1962 *24.6.1924 *14.3.1933

VD Paul SO Willi BE Adolf Chaudet Ritschard Ogi FDP, 1955 – 1966 SP, 1974 – 1983 SVP, 1988 – 2000 *17.11.1904 †7.8.1977 *28.9.1918 †16.10.1983 *18.7.1942

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