Switzerland: the country’s 10 leading institutions

Find out which are the 10 key institutions in Switzerland, to gain a better understanding of the structure and roles of the bodies at the heart of the Confederation.

#1 Competition Commission

In Switzerland, the Competition Commission (COMCO) is responsible for safeguarding competition: in particular, it enforces the Cartel Act and the Internal Market Act independently. 

Established in 1995 and currently operating on a budget of 14.8 million Swiss francs, it employs nearly 70 people to carry out this mission, which is crucial in a market economy.
Combating harmful cartels, scrutinising mergers, monitoring abuses of dominant market positions… these are the main issues addressed by COMCO, which, although independent, remains attached to the Federal Department of Economic Affairs, Education and Research (DEFR).

#2 Federal Council

Established on 16 November 1848, the Swiss Federal Council is the flagship institution of the Swiss Confederation, as it is its principal executive body. It comprises seven members, known as “the seven sages”, who are elected and are generally re-elected automatically until they resign. The Federal Council operates on the principle of collegiality.

As regards its responsibilities, the Federal Council is responsible in particular for:

• in the areas of domestic affairs, the federal budget and accounts, and defence;
• at international level, representing Switzerland abroad and in matters of foreign policy;
• at the legislative level, the preliminary stage of the legislative process, and to draft the bills it submits to the Federal Assembly (from which it is independent);
• at the executive level, to issue regulations and ensure that laws are properly enforced.

#3 National Council

Also known as the “Lower House” or the “People’s Chamber”, the National Council was established by the Federal Constitution of 1848. It holds legislative power and is tasked with representing the Swiss people as a whole, with its 200 seats allocated among the country’s 26 cantons in proportion to their population size.

Every member of the National Council is entitled to table a parliamentary initiative, a motion to amend or review legislation, or to put a question to the Federal Council. 

#4 Council of States

Just as the National Council represents the Swiss people, the Council of States represents the country’s various cantons at the legislative level. Also known as the “Upper House” or the “Chamber of Cantons”, it is made up of 46 representatives from Switzerland’s 26 cantons. 

Every four years, each canton elects two members to the Council of States, with the exception of the former half-cantons, such as Basel-Landschaft and Nidwalden, which elect only one member each.

#5 Council of State

Not to be confused with the Council of States, the State Council is the executive body of each Swiss canton. Its members, the State Councillors, are elected by universal suffrage for a term of four years (five years in three specific cantons); there are between five and seven per canton, and the President of the Council is appointed annually on a rotating basis among the members according to seniority.

State Councillors have a dual administrative and political role. Among other things, they manage draft legislation and citizens’ initiatives within their canton and before the Council.

#6 Fedpol

Based in Bern, the Federal Office of Police (fedpol) is responsible for tasks relating to the federal criminal investigation service. Reporting to the Federal Department of Justice and Police, its work is governed in particular by the Ordinance of 17 November 1999 and involves six separate divisions.

Fedpol thus combats serious crime where this falls within the Confederation’s remit, manages police cooperation both within Switzerland and with other countries, ensures the protection of persons and buildings under the State’s responsibility, and oversees the operation of information systems.

#7 Grand Council

Just as the State Council is the executive body of each Swiss canton, the Grand Council is its legislative body. Also known as the “cantonal parliament”, it exists in each of Switzerland’s 26 cantons. The members who sit on it are elected by universal suffrage for a term of four to five years.

It has a wide range of responsibilities: in particular, it must pass cantonal laws, but also rule on petitions and initiatives submitted by Swiss citizens.

#8 FOPH 

The Federal Office of Public Health (FOPH), which reports to the Federal Department of Home Affairs, is the federal agency responsible for public health matters in Switzerland. The FOPH is therefore responsible for implementing more than 20 laws and ordinances based on the provisions of the Federal Constitution relating to health. 

A remit that encompasses a wide range of activities, from health promotion to biosafety regulations, with the aim of ensuring that Switzerland has an effective and financially stable healthcare system.

#9 Federal Court

Established in 1874 in its current form, the Federal Supreme Court is the highest judicial authority in the Swiss Confederation. It comprises 38 permanent judges and 19 substitute judges.

The Federal Supreme Court has two main responsibilities: to safeguard the fundamental freedoms of all Swiss citizens, and to ensure the proper application of federal law throughout the country.

#10 Seco

Reporting to the Federal Department of Economic Affairs, Education and Research, the State Secretariat for Economic Affairs (SECO) brings together all the Swiss Confederation’s responsibilities relating to the management of economic policy. 

Divided into five distinct departments, SECO pursues a wide range of objectives, including the protection of workers, the promotion of Switzerland’s position on the international economic stage, and the management of Swiss labour market policy.