Switzerland - Government
Based on the etymolgy of Switzerland, it was name derives from the canton of Schwyz, one of the founding cantons of the Swiss Confederacy formed in the late 13th century. The Government system in this country is the federal republic (formally a confederation) type and the different Administrative divisions includes: 26 cantons (cantons, singular - canton in French; cantoni, singular - cantone in Italian; Kantone, singular - Kanton in German); Aargau, Appenzell Ausserrhoden, Appenzell Innerrhoden, Basel-Landschaft, Basel-Stadt, Berne/Bern, Fribourg/Freiburg, Genève (Geneva), Glarus, Graubuenden/Grigioni/Grischun, Jura, Luzern (Lucerne), Neuchatel, Nidwalden, Obwalden, Sankt Gallen, Schaffhausen, Schwyz, Solothurn, Thurgau, Ticino, Uri, Valais/Wallis, Vaud, Zug, Zuerich
National symbols

Swiss cross (white cross on red field).

The flag
The National flag of Switzerland has .
The National Anthem
Title
Lyric/music
More about the government of Switzerland
Date of Independence 1 August 1291 (founding of the Swiss Confederation)
National holiday Founding of the Swiss Confederation in 1291
Legal system civil law system; judicial review of legislative acts, except federal decrees of a general obligatory character
International law organization participation accepts compulsory ICJ jurisdiction with reservations; accepts ICCt jurisdiction
Constitution
History Previous 1848, 1874; latest adopted by referendum 18 April 1999, effective 1 January 2000
Amendment process Proposed by the two houses of the Federal Assembly or by petition of at least one hundred thousand voters (called the "federal popular initiative"); passage of proposals requires majority vote in a referendum; following drafting of an amendment by the Assembly, its passage requires approval by majority vote in a referendum and approval by the majority of cantons
Citizenship
Citizenship by birth no
Citizenship by descent only at least one parent must be a citizen of Switzerland
Dual citizenship recognized yes
Residency requirement for naturalization 12 years including at least 3 of the last 5 years prior to application
Executive Branch
Chief of state President of the Swiss Confederation Karin KELLER-SUTTER (since 1 January 2025)
Head of government President of the Swiss Confederation Karin KELLER-SUTTER (since 1 January 2025)
Cabinet Federal Council or Bundesrat (in German), Conseil Federal (in French), Consiglio Federale (in Italian) indirectly elected by the Federal Assembly for a 4-year term
Election/appointment process president and vice president elected by the Federal Assembly from among members of the Federal Council for a 1-year, non-consecutive term
Most recent election date 11 December 2024
Election results 2024: Karin KELLER-SUTTER elected president for 2025; Federal Assembly vote - Karin KELLER-SUTTER (FDP.The Liberals) 168 of 203; Guy PARLEMIN (SVP) elected vice president for 2025; Federal Assembly vote - 196 of 219

2023:  Viola AMHERD elected president for 2024; Federal Assembly vote - Viola AMHERD (The Center) 158 of 204; Karin KELLER-SUTTER (FDP.The Liberals) elected vice president for 2024; Federal Assembly vote - 138 of 196

2022:  Alain BERSET elected president for 2023; Federal Assembly vote - Alain BERSET (SP) 140 OF 181; Viola AMHERD elected vice president; Federal assembly vote - 207 of 223
Expected date of next election December 2025
Legislative branch
Legislature name Federal Assembly (Bundesversammlung - Assemblée fédérale - Assemblea federale)
Legislative structure Bicameral
Judicial branch
Highest court(s) Federal Supreme Court (consists of 38 justices and 19 deputy justices organized into 7 divisions)
Judge selection and term of office Judges elected by the Federal Assembly for 6-year terms; judges are affiliated with political parties and are elected according to linguistic and regional criteria in approximate proportion to party representation in the Federal Assembly
Subordinate courts Federal Criminal Court (established in 2004); Federal Administrative Court (established in 2007)
Diplomatic representation in the US
Chief of mission Ambassador Ralph HECKNER (since 18 September 2024)
Chancery 2900 Cathedral Ave NW, Washington, DC 20008
Telephone [1] (202) 745-7900
FAX [1] (202) 387-2564
Email address and website
[email protected]

https://www.eda.admin.ch/washington
Consulate(s) general Atlanta, Chicago, New York, San Francisco
Consulate(s) Boston
Diplomatic representation from the US
Chief of mission Ambassador (vacant); Chargé d’Affaires Bradford BELL (since January 2025) note - also accredited to Liechtenstein
Embassy Sulgeneckstrasse 19, CH-3007 Bern
Mailing address 5110 Bern Place, Washington DC  20521-5110
Telephone [41] (031) 357-70-11
FAX [41] (031) 357-73-20
Email address and website
https://ch.usembassy.gov/
National heritage
Total World Heritage Sites 13 (9 cultural, 4 natural)
Selected World Heritage Site locales Old City of Berne (c); Swiss Alps Jungfrau-Aletsch (n); Monte San Giorgio (n); Abbey of St Gall (c); Three Castles, Defensive Wall, and Ramparts of the Market-Town of Bellinzona (c); Rhaetian Railway in the Albula/Bernina Landscapes (c); La Chaux-de-Fonds/Le Locle, Watchmaking Town Planning (c); Prehistoric Pile Dwellings around the Alps (c); Benedictine Convent of St John at Müstair (c); Lavaux, Vineyard Terraces (c)
Key Political parties and their leaders in Switzerland
    • International organization participation
  • ADB (nonregional member)
  • AfDB (nonregional member)
  • Australia Group
  • BIS
  • CD
  • CE
  • CERN
  • EAPC
  • EBRD
  • EFTA
  • EITI (implementing country)
  • ESA
  • FAO
  • FATF
  • G-10
  • IADB
  • IAEA
  • IBRD
  • ICAO
  • ICC (national committees)
  • ICCt
  • ICRM
  • IDA
  • IEA
  • IFAD
  • IFC
  • IFRCS
  • IGAD (partners)
  • ILO
  • IMF
  • IMO
  • IMSO
  • Interpol
  • IOC
  • IOM
  • IPU
  • ISO
  • ITSO
  • ITU
  • ITUC (NGOs)
  • LAIA (observer)
  • MIGA
  • MONUSCO
  • NEA
  • NSG
  • OAS (observer)
  • OECD
  • OIF
  • OPCW
  • OSCE
  • Pacific Alliance (observer)
  • Paris Club
  • PCA
  • PFP
  • Schengen Convention
  • UN
  • UNCTAD
  • UNESCO
  • UNHCR
  • UNIDO
  • UNITAR
  • UNMISS
  • UNMOGIP
  • UNOOSA
  • UNRWA
  • UNTSO
  • UNWTO
  • UPU
  • Wassenaar Arrangement
  • WCO
  • WHO
  • WIPO
  • WMO
  • WTO
  • ZC
    • All Important Facts about Switzerland

    Want to know more about Switzerland? Check all different factbooks for Switzerland below.

    Switzerland is found in Western Europe