Box 2.2 The powers of the Swiss parliament

A. Elections

The Federal Assembly of the two chambers -- where the Council of States has one fifth of the votes -- designates the seven members of the Federal Council, the Federal Chancellor (administrative function), the 39 members of the Federal Court, the Commander-in-Chief of the army in times of war and other major federal bodies.

B. Legislation, Budget and Finance

Parliament is responsible for all political decisions of general importance. For parliamentary legislation, three main categories are distinguishable: constitutional, legislative and regulatory acts. In addition the two chambers decide on budgets and finance and approve international treaties. Today the preparliamentary decision-making process determines the essentials of a bill before it goes to parliament. Nevertheless parliament is still a key actor: it sets the political agenda through parliamentary initiatives, motions and propositions, and thoroughly examines and modifies proposed legislations.

C. Political Control

Parliament supervises the activities of federal government and its agencies. For this purpose parliament has established permanent commissions to conduct regular controls.