Preparing Federal Council decisions
The Federal Council usually meets once a week and takes decisions on numerous items of business. The departments and federal offices can comment on these proposals in advance. The Federal Chancellery coordinates this consultation and joint reporting procedure. The Federal Chancellor and the vice chancellors always attend Federal Council meetings.
• Vice Chancellor: Rachel Salzmann
• Vice Chancellor and Federal Council Spokesperson: Nicole Lamon
Informing the public about Federal Council decisions
The Federal Council Spokesperson informs the media about the decisions taken by the Federal Council. Federal decrees and reports are published in the Federal Gazette, while acts and ordinances are published in the Official Compilation of Federal Legislation.
Planning for the future
The Federal Chancellery monitors national and international developments and uses this information to determine where political action is needed. It is responsible for annual objectives and legislature planning and for the Federal Council’s activity report.
Strengthening the federal government’s crisis management capabilities
The Federal Chancellery supports the Federal Council and the departments in preparing for and responding to crises. It ensures that the federal government is prepared for potential crises. It organises nationwide crisis exercises to strengthen Switzerland’s crisis resilience.
Supporting the President
In 2026, Federal Councillor Guy Parmelin will assume the role of President of the Swiss Confederation. The Federal Chancellery provides support and ensures continuity from one presidential year to the next.
Coordinating and digitalising the Federal Administration
The Federal Chancellor chairs the monthly meetings of the Conference of Secretaries General, which coordinates the work of the departments. The Federal Chancellery plays a central role in the Federal Administration’s digital transformation process: it sets standards, coordinates digitalisation projects and supports their implementation.
Overseeing democratic rights
The Federal Chancellery ensures that federal elections and referendums are conducted correctly. It informs initiative and referendum committees about the correct procedure. Together with the cantons, it works to ensure that political rights can also be exercised electronically in Switzerland (e-voting and e-collecting).
Promoting multilingualism
All legal and official texts published by the federal government must be available in the official languages of German, French and Italian, and in certain cases also in Romansh. Texts of international relevance are also available in English. The Federal Chancellery is responsible for the quality of the texts.
Publishing information across all channels
The Federal Chancellery ensures that the public receives information from the government directly and through various channels, in multiple languages and in an accessible format:
Instagram: @gov.ch
X (Twitter): @SwissGov
YouTube: Swiss Federal Council
Web: www.admin.ch, www.ch.ch
Apps: VoteInfo, CH info
Print: Explanatory material on popular votes, National Council election guide, The Swiss Confederation: a brief guide
