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Political System of Switzerland | |
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Polity type | Semi-direct democratic federal republic |
Constitution | Constitution of Switzerland |
Legislative branch | |
Name | Federal Assembly |
Type | Bicameral |
Meeting place | Federal Palace, Bern |
Upper house | |
Name | Council of States |
Presiding officer | Eva Herzog, President of the Council of States |
Appointer | Popular vote |
Lower house | |
Name | National Council |
Presiding officer | Eric Nussbaumer, President of the National Council |
Appointer | Popular vote |
Executive branch | |
Head of state | |
Title | President of the Confederation |
Currently | Viola Amherd |
Appointer | Federal Assembly |
Cabinet | |
Name | Federal Council |
Leader | President |
Deputy leader | Vice President |
Appointer | Federal Assembly |
Headquarters | Federal Palace |
Ministries | 7 |
Judicial branch | |
Name | Judiciary of Switzerland |
Federal Supreme Court | |
Seat | Federal Courthouse, Lausanne |
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The government of Switzerland is a federal state with direct democracy.[1]
For any change in the constitution, a referendum is mandatory (mandatory referendum); for any change in a law, a referendum can be requested (optional referendum). In addition, the people may present a constitutional popular initiative to introduce amendments to the federal constitution.
The people also assume a role similar to the constitutional court, which does not exist, and thus act as the guardian of the rule of law. According to the V-Dem Democracy indices, Switzerland was in 2023 the most participatory democratic country in the world.[4]
The Economist Intelligence Unit rated Switzerland a "full democracy" in 2022.[5][needs update] According to the V-Dem Democracy indices, Switzerland was in 2023 the 4th most electorally democratic country in the world.[4]
Cantonal and municipal politics vary in the different cantons, which may have different systems.