Parliament
Parliament passes laws and elects the
members of the federal government and the federal courts. It is responsible for
the federal budget and exercises oversight over the Federal Administration. Parliament is elected by the People. It
consists of two chambers: the National Council and the Council of States. The
National Council represents the people of Switzerland; the Council of States represents
the 26 cantons. Each chamber has the same powers, and they conduct the same
business. When sitting together in joint session, they constitute the United
Federal Assembly.
Members in the National Council and the Council of States
Strength of parliamentary groups
Women and men in Parliament
Age groups in the Swiss population and in Parliament
The home of Swiss political life
The seat of Switzerland’s parliament
is the Parliament Building in Bern. It was built between 1894 and 1902
according to plans drawn up by Hans Wilhelm Auer, and was inaugurated on 1
April 1902 by the United Federal Assembly.
The architect had the aim of creating a national monument. 95% of the materials used were sourced within Switzerland; contracts were awarded to 173 Swiss firms, while 38 Swiss artists were able to leave their mark in the Parliament Building for posterity. Naturally, Auer was careful to ensure that all of the cantons were represented when awarding the contracts.
The whole building is a
reminder that Switzerland is a nation founded on the will of its people, in
which different cultures, different linguistic areas and different geographical
regions have come together of their own free will to form a political, national
entity.
