What is the composition of the United Federal Assembly?
Wie setzt sich die Vereinigte Bundesversammlung zusammen?
Correct answer: A
- A the members of the National Council and the Council of Statesaus den Mitgliedern des Nationalrats und Ständerats
- B the federal judgesaus den Bundesrichterinnen und Bundesrichtern
- C the members of the cantonal governmentsaus den Mitgliedern der kantonalen Regierungen
- D the party presidentsaus den Parteipräsidentinnen und Parteipräsidenten
Why
The United Federal Assembly is a joint sitting of both chambers. That is why all members of the National Council and the Council of States belong to it.
Common mistakes
- B: the federal judges
- Federal judges belong to the judiciary, not to Parliament.
- C: the members of the cantonal governments
- The cantonal governments are the executives of the cantons and do not sit in the Federal Parliament.
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 38 of the official question list of the Canton of Zurich (Gemeindeamt, May 2025). Translation and explanation: Swiss Passport.