The Federal Assembly has 246 members. Who elects these members?
Die Bundesversammlung besteht aus 246 Mitgliedern. Wer wählt diese Mitglieder?
Correct answer: A
- A the citizens who are entitled to votedie wahlberechtigten Bürgerinnen und Bürger
- B the political partiesdie Parteien
- C all residents of Switzerlandalle Einwohnerinnen und Einwohner der Schweiz
- D an electoral commissioneine Wahlkommission
Why
In a democracy the people elect the parliament. Swiss citizens aged 18 and over who are entitled to vote may elect.
Common mistakes
- C: all residents of Switzerland
- Foreign nationals may not vote in elections at federal level. Only people entitled to vote with Swiss citizenship elect.
- B: the political parties
- The parties put forward candidates. But the people decide who is elected.
Topic
National Council and Council of States
The Swiss Parliament is called the Federal Assembly. It has two chambers: the National Council and the Council of States. The National Council has 200 members. It represents the people. Large cantons have more seats than small ones. The Council of States has 46 members. It mainly represents the cantons. Each canton has two seats, the six former half-cantons one each. Together there are 246 members.
200
Nationalrat
National Council: the large chamber with 200 members. It represents the people.
46
Ständerat
Council of States: the small chamber with 46 members. It represents the cantons.
- Cantons: 2 seats each
- Former half-cantons: 1 seat each
200 + 46 = 246
Vereinigte Bundesversammlung
United Federal Assembly: the National Council and the Council of States in a joint session. Parliament makes laws. Together it elects the Federal Council and the Federal Supreme Court.
How the state works
The Federal Parliament
Sources
Last checked: September 2026
Question 35 of the official question list of the Canton of Zurich (Gemeindeamt, May 2025). Translation and explanation: Swiss Passport.