The political framework of Switzerland

Political Outline

Current Political Leaders

President of the Swiss Confederation: Karin KELLER-SUTTER (since 1 January 2025)
Vice President: Karin KELLER-SUTTER (since 1 January 2025)

Next Election Dates

President: December 2025
National Council: October 2027
Council of States: each canton decides its own election dates, but these usually take place at the same time as those of the National Council.

Main Political Parties

The main parties represented in the parliament are:

- Swiss People's Party (SVP/UDC): populist right-wing group; strong base in German-speaking areas of Switzerland
- Social Democratic Party (SP/PS): centre-left, advocates for social justice, equality, and sustainable development
- The Liberals (FDP/PRD/PLR): centre-right, supports economic liberalism
- The Centre: centre-right (formed from the merger of the Christian Democratic Party and the Conservative Democratic Party)
- Green Party (PES): environmentalist and pacifist party
- Green Liberal Party (GL): left-wing environmentalist group
- Evangelical People's Party (EVP): centre-left
- Federal Democratic Union (EDU/UDF): right-wing
- Swiss Party of Labour (PST/POP): far-left, communist
- Ticino League (Lega): right wing, regionalism
- Geneva Citizens Movement (MCG): right wing.

Executive Power

The President of Switzerland holds a ceremonial role, chairing the Federal Council and representing the country at official functions, but does not serve as a chief of state or head of government in the traditional sense. The position rotates annually by law among the seven members of the Federal Council, Switzerland's collective executive body. The Federal Council, elected by the parliament for a four-year term, governs jointly, with no single member holding individual executive authority. Under Switzerland's constitution, the composition of the Federal Council is not determined by a parliamentary majority but reflects a longstanding four-party power-sharing arrangement established in 1959, commonly known as the 'magic formula'.

Legislative Power

The legislature in Switzerland is bicameral. The parliament, called Federal Assembly, consists of the Council of States (upper house) and the National Council (lower house). The former is comprised of 46 seats, with two members selected from each of the 20 cantons (states/provinces) and one from each of the six half-canton. The National Council is comprised of 200 seats, with its members elected by popular vote on the basis of proportional representation. Members of both the Council of States and the National Council serve four year terms. Unlike parliamentary systems, the executive (Federal Council) is not dependent on parliamentary confidence and cannot be dissolved by a vote of no confidence. The Federal Council operates independently of the Federal Assembly, and there is no mechanism for dissolving the government mid-term. The federal legislative power is vested in both the government and the parliament.

Indicator of Political Freedom

Political Freedom:

1/7