The National
Council and the Council of States convene as the United Federal Assembly to
handle specific items of business. The United Federal Assembly elects the
members of the federal government and the Federal Supreme Court, the Federal
Chancellor, and the Attorney General of Switzerland. It also meets to take note
of statements made by the Federal Council, and rule on conflicts of
jurisdiction.
Sessions
The National
Council and the Council of States meet for three-week sessions in spring,
summer, autumn and winter to deliberate and rule on items of business. The two
chambers meet separately, but under the same roof of the Parliament Building in
Bern. Council Office, parliamentary group and committee meetings take place
inbetween sessions.
Schedule of sessions for 2021
Spring
session:
1 – 19 March
Summer
session:
31 May – 18 June
Autumn
session:
13 September – 1 October
Winter
session:
29 November – 17
December
Special
session (if required):
3 – 6 May
Election
of the presidents of the National Council and of the Council of
States:
29 November
Election
of the President of the Swiss Confederation and the vice president of the
Federal Council:
8 December
The
meetings are open to the public. The
debates are broadcast live on the Parliament website, and published after
around an hour as a verbatim report with a video in the Official Bulletin:
www.parlament.ch