Switzerland Politics

Despite its diverse society, Switzerland has a rather stable government. The majority of voters support the government in respect of its policy on neutrality, and its foreign and defence policies.

Switzerland’s party landscape is also rich and diverse. Generally, the four parties that are represented in the Federal Council are called the government parties: Free Democratic Party, Social Democratic Party, Christian Democratic Party, and Swiss People's Party. In 2005, only the four government parties were represented in the Council of States. The party landscape in the second chamber or National Council is more diverse. Here there are eight non-government parties which have at least one seat each.

Switzerland has a unique form of democracy. Any citizen has the constitutional power to challenge a law that has been passed by parliament as long as they have been able to gather 50,000 signatures against the law within 100 days. Where this happens they have the right to call a national vote where whether to accept or reject the law is decided by simple majority.

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