THE SWISS CONFEDERATION A BRIEF GUIDE 2020 Get the app! CH info Cover The River Klön meanders its way down to the Klöntalersee. Where the water is shallow, it freezes and gives the delta a marble-like quality. The Klöntalersee in the canton of Glarus is one of the oldest reservoirs in Switzerland, and has been used to generate electricity since 1908. EDITORIAL Dear Reader ‘Amendments to the Federal The Federal Constitution of 1848 was written in just 51 days, albeit with great prudence. Much of what was set out in that Constitution were planned from document still exists today, for example the institutions of the the very beginning.’ Federal Council, the National Council and the Council of States. Back then, the Parliament Building had not yet been built (Par- liament was first housed there in 1902), but those who penned the 1848 Constitution would today still recognise the Federal Council chamber in the west wing of the Federal Palace – known as the ‘Bundes-Rathaus’ when it was completed in 1857. They would no doubt also be surprised by the many changes that have taken place since 1848. The federal government now has many more tasks. The Federal Administration has ex- panded enormously. The National Council is larger too, with 200 seats compared to 111 originally. In addition to the Federal Supreme Court, there are three further federal courts – the Fed- eral Criminal Court, Federal Administrative Court and Federal Patent Court. Political rights have been extended considerably (referendum, popular initiative). A new canton has been cre- ated – and what is more by peaceful means. And although women only obtained the right to vote and be elected in 1971, they are now represented both in Parliament and in govern- ment. There are more political parties. And it no longer matters whether a member of the Federal Council is Catholic or Protes- tant. From the outset, the system was designed to allow for change. It should be possible to amend the constitution, after all, cir- cumstances change. The historian Edgar Bonjour rightly ob- served that the constitution’s authors were seeking to lay the foundations for future generations rather than preserve the land of their forefathers. Nonetheless, if they visited the Federal Palace today, they would no doubt be glad of this brochure to explain our current system to them. Just as you are, perhaps. Enjoy reading! Federal Chancellor Walter Thurnherr 3 TABLE OF CONTENTS INTERVIEW AND FACTS FOUNDATIONS SWITZERLAND DIRECT DEMOCRACY 6 14 Interview with President Separation of powers 16 Simonetta Sommaruga 6 Elections and votes 18 Population 8 Parties from left to right 20 Federal finances 9 Political parties in brief 22 The history of Switzerland 10 Federalism 12 THE SWISS CONFEDERATION Master program THE SWISS CONFEDERATION – A BRIEF GUIDE is also – A BRIEF GUIDE available as an app Teaching material in English, German and French: www.hep-verlag.ch/der-bund-kurz-erklaert iOS / Android CH info 4 THE LEGISLATURE THE EXECUTIVE THE JUDICIARY PARLIAMENT THE GOVERNMENT THE COURTS 24 40 76 National Council and The Federal Council 42 The judiciary 78 Council of States 26 Federal Administration 44 The Federal Supreme Court Parliament in figures 27 and the federal courts Federal Department of first instance 80 How Parliament is organised 28 of Foreign Affairs FDFA 46 Parliamentary mechanisms 31 Federal Department of Home Affairs FDHA 50 Semi-professional parliament 32 Federal Department Networking with the world 33 of Justice and Police FDJP 54 The Parliamentary Services 34 Federal Department of Defence, Civil Protection Distribution of committee and Sport DDPS 58 seats 35 Federal Department How new laws come about 36 of Finance FDF 62 The Parliament Building 38 Federal Department of Economic Affairs, Education and Research EAER 66 Federal Department of the Environment, Transport, Energy and Communications DETEC 70 Federal Chancellery FCh 74 5 SWITZERLAND A conversation with President Simonetta Sommaruga THE PRESIDENT, THE FARMER AND THE SKI RACER Switzerland is particularly affected by climate change. and extreme weather events present very real challen- People such as ski racer Daniel Yule and farmer Valérie ges. However, if we take the right measures, they could Piccand experience that first hand. President Simo- even serve as an opportunity – for a climate-friendly netta Sommaruga discussed the issue with them. All and innovative economy, for science and tourism. three agree that higher temperatures, melting glaciers SWITZERLAND SWITZERLAND President Simonetta Sommaruga (PSS): You both we keep breeds of cow that are capable of producing spend most of your days outdoors. How is climate enough milk with a bit less feed. change affecting your work? Daniel Yule (DY): Weather fluctuations have become Valérie Piccand (VP): On our farm in the Bernese Jura, more common in the Alps too. One day we can be skiing in we can experience water shortages after just two weeks –10 degrees and the next day the sun is blazing down so of hot weather. We are also seeing more extremes in much you can practically see the snow melting away. That terms of the cold and heavy rain. The tendency has in- makes training difficult. creased in recent years. And that’s why we’re adapting the way we run the business to take account of climate PSS: Your experiences seem to confirm the scientific change. findings: Climate change is having a big impact on Switzerland. PSS: What does that involve exactly? DY: Yes, the glaciers are disappearing at a horrific rate. At VP: We complement the grass in our meadows with plant some glaciers we train on it’s not even possible to get back varieties that are more resistant than the usual grasses, and to the mountain station without having to take off our skis. 6 The Swiss Confederation – a brief guide 2020 | Switzerland A few years ago that was never a prob- then that too is good for the environ- PSS: As for the future, by 2050 Swit- lem at Zermatt, for example. The ment. But it’s also good for animal zerland wants to be climate-neutral snowline has been rising in recent wellbeing, the quality of the food we in terms of greenhouse gas emis- years too. produce and for farmers’ incomes. Fo- sions. You, Daniel, will be younger cusing on Swiss milk and locally pro- then than I am now. We’ve got thirty PSS: I’m impressed that young peo- duced meat: That’s a huge opportu- years to adapt to life without fossil ple such as yourselves are noticing nity for farmers! fuels. The two of you are wonderful these differences so markedly. That ambassadors with the work you do. just goes to show how quickly cli- PSS: Measures to protect the envi- You give us hope and show that mate change is progressing. What ronment are an opportunity for the change is possible! measures do you think politicians economy: for businesses that in- should be taking to protect our cli- stall solar panels, or for research- SWITZERLAND mate? ers that work on developing cli- DY: It can’t be right that a flight from mate-friendly technologies. That Valérie Piccand (born 1979) is Geneva to London is cheaper than creates jobs and provides a boost to an agricultural engineer. She taking the train from Martigny to Zu- the export industry. runs a livestock farm in Les rich. So I think it’s only fair for a tax DY: Climate change can also be an op- Reussilles (BE) and manages to be levied on plane tickets. In gen- portunity for tourism. Destinations grazing land. She is co-presi- eral the price of a product should that until now have been heavily fo- dent of ‘Autrement’, a coopera- cover the cost to the environment of cused on winter tourism are finding tive in Tramelan, which runs a making it. that the summer months are becom- farm store selling locally pro- ing more important – and that they duced organic products. don’t need snow for those activities. Daniel Yule (born 1993) is a ‘Change PSS: I like your examples. They member of the Swiss national show that although climate change ski team. The slalom specialist is possible.’ presents us with challenges, we can from Valais won a gold medal in turn it into something positive. The the team event at the 2018 Simonetta Sommaruga climate goals we have set are de- Winter Olympics and at the signed to make us less dependent 2019 world championships. As on oil and gas. If we can replace the athletes’ spokesperson at these sources of fuel with home- the International Ski Federa- PSS: I totally agree. The impact of grown solar and hydropower, we tion FIS, he often talks about our behaviour on the environment are investing in Switzerland in- the issue of climate change. has its price. And I’m certain that stead of abroad and increasing the most people are willing to pay that security of supply. After all, sun and price as they understand that you water are more reliable than oil have to pay for the damage you sourced in Libya or Kazakhstan. cause. VP: The farming industry can help VP: But it’s not just transport. Agricul- with these clean sources of energy. ture too should do its part to protect Barn roofs have plenty of space for so- the environment. It also produces lar panels. greenhouse gases. I would like to see DY: The initial outlay for solar panels the state help us to reduce emissions and heat pumps may seem expensive For information on the and improve energy efficiency on today, but in the long term it’s worth- presidency and the farms.