Box 2.3 Local government: the institutions

The political structures vary considerably with the size of the communes. This is the reason why I distinguish between small and large communes in the following description.

	Small Communes	Large Communes
Legislative body	Citizens assembly: A type of 'assembly democracy'. All Swiss citizens living in the commune have the right to participate at the assembly.	Communal parliament: Elected by the people. A type of 'semi-direct democracy'.
	The plenary assembly decides on propositions submitted by the executive council of the commune and by ordinary citizens. All important communal questions can be the subject of discussion.	Important decisions must be approved by a vote (referendum). Other decisions can be challenged by an optional referendum. In the communes of most cantons there is a right to hand in an initiative leading to a popular vote.
Executive body	Collegiate council, elected directly by the citizens (exception: canton Neuchätel, where the communal parliament appoints the executive council).
	Part-time members, generally unpaid; party affiliation has little significance	Professional full-time members; party affiliation has greater significance
Administration	Relies partly or entirely on the non-professional services of volunteers.	Professional administration in combination with resources.

Note: In some French-speaking cantons, the traditions of 'assembly democracy' as well as of the referendum and the popular initiative are less known. Even small communes therefore rely on types of representative democracy with an executive and a legislative council.