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Switzerland Page |
Welcome to ElectionInfo.com's pages on Switzerland
Official Name: Swiss Confederation
Capital: Bern
Area: 41,290 square kilometres ( 15,942 square miles )
Major cities (Population)
Zürich 342,391 (1991 estimate)
Basel 171,903 (1991 estimate)
Geneva 167,431 (1991 estimate)
Bern 134,393 (1991 estimate)
Lausanne 123,153 (1991 estimate)
Population: 7,202,000 (1995 estimate)
Population growth rate: 1.1 per cent (1990-1995 average)
Type of government: Federal republic
Indeendence: 1 August 1291
Constitution: 29 May 1874
Voting Rights: Universal at age 18
Government
Switzerland is a decentralized federal state with considerable political power residing in the 20 cantons and 6 half-cantons, as well as in the local communities (communes). Amendments to the constitution must be put to a referendum, which must be held if requested by 100,000 people. Other changes in federal law must be put to a referendum if requested by 50,000 people or eight cantons. The use of referendums has increased in recent years, although the turnout of voters in most of them has fallen to below one-third. Each of the more than 3,000 local communes has its own constitution and laws, but is under the supervision of the canton. Each canton also has its own constitution and has control over such things as school systems, police, welfare, and local issues. The same four-party federal coalition has been in power since 1959. The voting age is 18.
Although neutral in international affairs, the Swiss are diligent defenders of their own country. Every physically fit male serves on a part-time basis in the Swiss Army, trains regularly, and keeps his gun and uniform at home. National self-interest is paramount, which at heart translates into maintaining peace and prosperity, but local identities are also strong, and the people take pleasure in pointing to cultural differences between the cantons. The Swiss motto is “Unity, Yes; Uniformity, No”.
The federal government is responsible for such things as foreign policy and defence, and matters affecting all cantons, such as the postal service and telecommunications, pensions, railways, and the currency. The bicameral Federal Assembly is composed of a directly elected 200-member National Council and a 46-member Council of States representing the cantons. The seven-member Federal Council, which is elected by the Federal Assembly, holds executive power. Each year the council selects one member to serve as its president and head of state for a calendar year. A vice-president is also chosen for a year.
Recent History
As part of its policy of neutrality, the Swiss Federation is not currently a member of the United Nations (UN), the North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO), or the European Union (EU). Although the government has reaffirmed its desire to join the EU, such a move would have to be approved in a referendum, and the Swiss have tended to vote against further international integration. In 1986 they voted against joining the UN, and opinion polls continue to show hostility to the idea. In 1992 they voted against becoming part of the European Economic Area (EEA), under which other members of the European Free Trade Association (EFTA) took on some of the obligations of EU membership in return for some of the benefits of the EU single market. Switzerland is now the only EFTA country outside the EEA.
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