Politics

Swiss politics is renowned for its stability, decentralization and direct democracy. This system allows for active citizen participation in decision-making, and ensures balanced governance between the country’s different regions and linguistic communities. Here’s a detailed, in-depth explanation of how it works.
1. The Federal System
Swiss Confederation

Federal structure: Switzerland is a confederation made up of 26 cantons, each with a high degree of autonomy. This federal structure allows the country’s cultural, linguistic and geographic diversity to be taken into account. Each canton has its own constitution, laws, parliament and government.
Cantons and Communes: Cantons are subdivided into communes, which also enjoy a certain degree of autonomy, notably in matters of education, policing, social services and taxation. Communes are the smallest administrative units and play a crucial role in local governance.

2. Federal institutions
Federal Assembly

National Council

Composition: The National Council is the lower house of the Swiss Parliament, made up of 200 members elected for 4 years on a proportional representation basis. Seats are distributed in proportion to the population of the cantons.
Functions : The National Council debates and votes on federal legislation, the budget and taxes. It also supervises the government and federal administrations.

Council of States

Composition: The Council of States is the upper house of Parliament, with 46 members. Each canton has two seats, while the half-cantons have one. Members are elected for 4-year terms, mainly by majority vote.
Functions: It plays a role similar to that of the National Council, but represents the cantons. It contributes to drafting legislation, managing the federal budget and overseeing executive bodies.

The Federal Council

Composition and operation

Composition: The Swiss government, the Federal Council, is made up of seven members elected by the Federal Assembly for a 4-year term. Each member heads a department (ministry).
Presidency: The presidency of the Federal Council rotates, with each member becoming president for one year. The President has no additional powers, but represents the government abroad and at certain official functions.
Collegiality: Decisions are taken collegially, and all members must support decisions even if they initially disagree. This principle ensures the stability and unity of the government.

Federal Departments

Federal Department of Foreign Affairs (FDFA): Manages international relations and foreign policy.
Federal Department of Home Affairs (FDHA): Responsible for social affairs, public health, culture and research.
Federal Department of Justice and Police (FDJP): Responsible for justice, security and migration issues.
Federal Department of Defense, Civil Protection and Sports (DDPS): Manages the armed forces, civil protection and sports activities.
Federal Department of Finance (FDF): oversees public finances, taxes and the federal budget.
Federal Department of Economic Affairs, Education and Research (DEFR): Deals with economic issues, education, research and innovation.
Federal Department of the Environment, Transport, Energy and Communications (DETEC): Manages environmental policy, transport infrastructure, energy and telecommunications.

3. Direct Democracy

Referendums and Initiatives

Optional referendum: Citizens can request a referendum to contest a law passed by Parliament by gathering 50,000 signatures within 100 days. If the referendum is approved, a popular vote is held. This enables citizens to block controversial legislation.
Compulsory referendum: Certain decisions, such as changes to the constitution, membership of supranational organizations or the introduction of new taxes, must be put to a popular vote.
Popular initiative: Citizens can propose a constitutional amendment by collecting 100,000 signatures within 18 months. The initiative is then put to a popular vote. This enables citizens to propose legislative or constitutional changes directly.

4. Political parties

Main parties

Swiss Socialist Party (PSS): Center-left party, advocating progressive social and economic policies. It supports workers’ rights, gender equality and environmental policies.
Union Démocratique du Centre (UDC): Right-wing party, known for its conservative stance and opposition to immigration and European integration. It defends Swiss traditions, national sovereignty and a minimalist state.
Liberal-Radical Party (PLR): center-right party, in favor of economic liberalism and reduced government intervention. It supports entrepreneurship, individual freedom and innovation.
Les Verts: A left-wing ecological party focused on environmental and social policies. It campaigns for environmental protection, sustainable development and social justice.
Parti Démocrate-Chrétien (PDC): center-right party, emphasizing family values, social solidarity and the social market economy.

5. Electoral system

Proportional and Majority Elections

National Council: Elections are held on a proportional basis in each canton, ensuring fair representation of the various political parties. This system favors political diversity and ensures that even small parties are represented.
Council of States: Elections are held under the majority system in most cantons, which often favors the larger parties. Members of the Council of States are generally elected in general elections held every four years.

6. International relations and neutrality

Swiss neutrality

Permanent neutrality : Switzerland maintains a policy of permanent neutrality, taking no part in military alliances and remaining neutral in the event of armed conflict. This neutrality has enabled Switzerland to play a role as an international mediator and headquarters for numerous international organizations.
International organizations: Although neutral, Switzerland is active on the international stage, hosting numerous international organizations such as the United Nations in Geneva, the World Health Organization (WHO), and the International Red Cross.

Relations with the European Union

Bilateral agreements: Switzerland is not a member of the EU, but maintains close relations through bilateral agreements covering areas such as trade, free movement of people, and scientific cooperation. These agreements enable Switzerland to benefit from the advantages of the single market without being a member of the EU.
European policy: Switzerland also participates in the Schengen area, facilitating the free movement of people, and in the European Free Trade Association (EFTA).

7. Legal system

Federal Supreme Court

Role: The Federal Supreme Court is Switzerland’s highest judicial body, guaranteeing the uniform application of federal law. It deals with matters of public, civil and criminal law.
Jurisdiction: The Federal Supreme Court can also examine the constitutionality of cantonal and federal laws, although it does not have the power to annul federal laws as in some other judicial systems.

Cantonal courts

Autonomy: Each canton has its own courts, responsible for most judicial matters. Decisions can be appealed to the Federal Court. Cantonal courts deal with civil, criminal and local administrative matters.

Politics in Switzerland is unique because of its decentralized federal system, strong citizen participation through direct democracy, and its tradition of neutrality. Swiss political institutions are designed to reflect the country’s cultural and linguistic diversity, ensuring equitable representation and stable governance. Referendum and popular initiative mechanisms enable citizens to directly influence legislation, making Switzerland a model of participatory democracy.

This balanced and inclusive system contributes to Switzerland’s political and social stability, ensuring that political decisions reflect the needs and desires of its citizens. The combination of direct democracy, decentralization and neutrality has enabled Switzerland to maintain a high level of political stability.