Europe

Switzerland
Last reviewed: 04.06.09

Country information

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POLITICS

Swiss politics are characterised by consensus and stability and voters have a large say in the political and administrative life of their country through a long-standing tradition of direct democracy. The legislative process can be slow as a result. All constitutional changes must be submitted to the vote (compulsory referendum). If a minimum of 50,000 voters challenge federal laws, these are put to the vote (optional referendum). The use of referenda has increased in recent years although turnout has decreased to an average of 46% at federal level. Even after lengthy debate to encourage consensus, referenda are often rejected. The government can decide to re-submit rejected legislation at a later date, but the voters always have the final say.

Cantons and communes enjoy extensive powers and each raise taxes, administer themselves and elect their own parliaments. Responsibility for legislation rests with the lowest level of government deemed appropriate. The Federal government is formally only responsible for defence, foreign and economic policy. Although its influence is slowly growing, Federal expenditure accounts for only 30% of total public expenditure.

The government is a “grand coalition” of the four main parties, all represented in the Federal Council (cabinet) of seven Councillors of equal rank. This is elected every four years by the two chambers of parliament: the National Council with 200 members elected to represent constituencies, and the State Council representing the 26 cantons. Parties try to ensure that the main languages, religions and regions are represented in the Federal Council. Like all executive bodies at all levels of authority in Switzerland, the Council is run on what is known as the collegial system. Although composed of members of different political parties, these do not form a coalition. Members vote according to their convictions, but the decisions they take must be upheld by all the members collectively. The Chairmanship of the Federal Council rotates annually and its holder is the President of the Confederation.

The arrangement outlined above has long been stable. But economic and social challenges since the 1990s have prompted some changes, most notably the rise of the populist Swiss People’s Party. Before their electoral success in October 2003 seats on the Federal Council were allocated according a 'Magic Formula' agreed in 1959. The four main parties divided the seven Federal Council seats between them:2 seats each for the Radicals, Christian Democrats and Social Democrats and 1 seat for the Swiss People's Party. Since 2003 the Swiss People's Party have gained a seat at the expense of the Christian Democratic Party.

Parliamentary elections held in October 2007 saw the right wing Swiss People’s Party (SVP) as the biggest winners. They attracted an unprecedented 29% of the vote and gained 7 seats. The Green Party also made gains and only just failed in their efforts to secure 10% of the vote. The centre-left Social Democratic Party (SP) suffered a surprisingly heavy loss of 9 seats, their worst result since 1991. The election campaign was dominated by the People’s Party anti-immigration stance, which attracted both domestic and international criticism and sparked violent protests by left wing groups in the lead up to the ballot.

In an unexpected series of events on 12 December 2007, the two chambers of the Swiss parliament, meeting to elect the Federal Council to serve the next four year term, ousted the controversial right-wing Justice Minister Christoph Blocher, and replaced him with Eveline Widmer-Shlumpf, a moderate from his own party. The voting for the other six cabinet positions was uneventful with the current incumbents keeping their seats. Pascal Couchepin was appointed President for 2008 and his Radical Party colleague Hans-Rudolf Merz was nominated Vice President.

The current Federal Councillors are:

Environment, Transport, Energy and Communications - Moritz Leuenberger (Social Democratic Party; Councillor since 1995)
Home Affairs - Pascal Couchepin (President for 2008, Radical Party; Councillor since 1998)
Economic Affairs – Doris Leuthard (Christian Democratic Party; Councillor since 2006)
Defence, Civil Protection and Sports - Samuel Schmid (Swiss People's Party; Councillor since 2001)
Foreign Affairs - Micheline Calmy-Rey (Social Democratic Party; Councillor since 2003)
Justice and Police - Eveline Widmer-Schlumpf (Swiss People’s Party, Councillor since 2007)
Finance - Hans-Rudolf Merz (Vice President for 2008, Radical Party; Councillor since 2004)

Elections

National elections are held every four years, most recently on 21 October 2007. The results were:

Swiss People's Party (SVP) 29.0% (+2.3%) 62 seats
Social Democrats (SP) 19.5% (-3.8%) 43 seats
Radical Party (FDP) 15.6% (-1.7%) 31 seats
Christian Democrats (CVP) 114.6% (+ 0.2%) 31 seats
Green Party 9.6% (+1.7%) 20 seats
Others 11.8% (+ 1.1%) 13 seats