Swiss Passport

What is the executive in Switzerland at federal level called?

Wie heisst die Exekutive in der Schweiz auf Bundesebene?

Correct answer: C

  1. A Grand CouncilGrosser Rat
  2. B General CouncilGeneralrat
  3. C Federal CouncilBundesrat
  4. D Landrat (District Council)Landrat

Why

At federal level, the government, that is the executive, is called the Federal Council.

Common mistakes

A: Grand Council
In some cantons, the cantonal parliament is called the Grand Council (Grosser Rat), for example in Bern.
D: Landrat (District Council)
In some cantons, the cantonal parliament is called the Landrat, for example in Basel-Landschaft.

Topic

Federal Council and the principle of collegiality

The Federal Council is the government of Switzerland. It holds executive power (the executive) at federal level. It runs the government business: it implements the laws, plans policy and represents Switzerland in relation to other states. In the cantons the government has a different name, for example Cantonal Government (Regierungsrat). In some cantons the Grand Council or the Landrat is the cantonal parliament.

The Federal Council

Bundesrat

Federal Council: the government of Switzerland with seven members. Seven heads, one voice: that is the principle of collegiality.

Bundespräsident/in: President of the Confederation: a member of the Federal Council who chairs the meetings and represents Switzerland for one year.

Department: one of the seven large areas of the Federal Administration, headed by a member of the Federal Council.

  1. EDAFederal Department of Foreign Affairs (FDFA)
  2. EDIFederal Department of Home Affairs (FDHA)
  3. EJPDFederal Department of Justice and Police (FDJP)
  4. VBSFederal Department of Defence, Civil Protection and Sport (DDPS)
  5. EFDFederal Department of Finance (FDF)
  6. WBFFederal Department of Economic Affairs, Education and Research (EAER)
  7. UVEKFederal Department of the Environment, Transport, Energy and Communications (DETEC)

BundeskanzleiFederal Chancellery: the staff office that supports the Federal Council in its work. Seven Federal Councillors, seven departments. Unlike in Germany, the Chancellor in Switzerland does not govern, but only supports.

How the state works
The Federal Council

Sources

Last checked: September 2026

Question 40 of the official question list of the Canton of Zurich (Gemeindeamt, May 2025). Translation and explanation: Swiss Passport.

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