Elections in Switzerland

The Federal Assembly (German: Bundesversammlung; French: Assemblée fédérale; Italian: Assemblea federale; Romansh: Assamblea federala) has two chambers.

The National Council (German: Nationalrat; French: Conseil national; Italian: Consiglio nazionale; Romansh: Cussegl naziunal) has 200 members, elected for a four-year term by proportional representation in multi-seat constituencies, the cantons.

The Council of States (German: Ständerat; French: Conseil des Etats; Italian: Consiglio degli Statil Romansh: Cussegl dals Stadis) has 46 members, elected for four years in 20 two-seat (for full cantons) and 6 single-seat (for half-cantons) constituencies.

Under the Swiss Federal Constitution, the mode of election to the Council of States is left to the cantons, the provision being that it must be a democratic method.

[1] One of the members of the Federal Council assumes the honorific title of President of the Confederation for a one-year term.