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The government

The Federal Council

The Federal Council comprises seven members of equal standing. They are elected by Parliament every four years, with a different member holding the post of president each year. The current members of the Federal Council are drawn from four different parties. Four come from the German-speaking part of Switzerland, two from the French-speaking part and one from the Italian-speaking region.

The Federal Council normally meets every week. Especially demanding issues are discussed in special sessions. Each year, it decides on more than 2500 items of business. The seven departments and the Federal Chancellery support the Federal Council by helping to prepare the meetings.

Important dates
Election of the president and vice president:
8 December 2021

Election of the Federal Council (following the parliamentary elections in October):
December 2023


President 2021
The President is of equal standing to the other members of the Federal Council, but chairs the meetings and represents the government in its external dealings.

Guy Parmelin Head of the Federal Department of Economic Affairs, Education and Research

Member of the Federal Council since 2016

Party affiliation

SVP

Vice President 2021

Ignazio Cassis Head of the Federal Department of Foreign Affairs

Member of the Federal Council since 2017

Party affiliation

FDP
Ueli Maurer Head of the Federal Department of Finance

Member of the Federal Council since 2009

Party affiliation

SVP
Simonetta Sommaruga Head of the Federal Department of the Environment, Transport, Energy and Communications

Member of the Federal Council since 2010

Party affiliation

SP
Alain Berset Head of the Federal Department of Home Affairs

Member of the Federal Council since 2012

Party affiliation

SP
Viola Amherd Head of the Federal Department of Defence, Civil Protection and Sport

Member of the Federal Council since 2019

Party affiliation

The Centre
Karin Keller-Sutter Head of the Federal Department of Justice and Police

Member of the Federal Council since 2019

Party affiliation

FDP

Federal Chancellor
The Federal Chancellor is the Federal Council’s chief of staff and heads the Federal Chancellery. He is also elected by Parliament.

Walter Thurnherr In office since 2016

Party affiliation

The Centre