Swiss Passport

The members of the Federal Council are bound by the principle of collegiality. What does that mean?

Zwischen den Mitgliedern des Bundesrats gilt das Kollegialitätsprinzip. Was heisst das?

Correct answer: C

  1. A The members of the Federal Council must know each other well.Die Mitglieder des Bundesrates müssen sich gut kennen.
  2. B Each Federal Councillor represents their own political opinions.Jeder Bundesrat vertritt seine eigenen politischen Meinungen.
  3. C All members must represent the decisions of the Federal Council in the same way in public.Alle Mitglieder müssen Entscheide des Bundesrates nach aussen gleich vertreten.
  4. D The Federal Council makes decisions by vote.Der Bundesrat Entscheidungen mit Abstimmung.

Why

The Federal Council makes decisions as a body. After that, all seven members represent the decision in the same way in public, even if they personally think differently.

In the official German text, option d is missing its verb: «Der Bundesrat Entscheidungen mit Abstimmung.» It probably means «Der Bundesrat fällt Entscheidungen mit Abstimmung.» We show the text as the canton published it.

Common mistakes

B: Each Federal Councillor represents their own political opinions.
Within the body, the members may say what they think. In public, however, they must represent the joint decision.
D: The Federal Council makes decisions by vote.
The Federal Council does sometimes vote. But the principle of collegiality means that afterwards all members represent the decision together.
A: The members of the Federal Council must know each other well.
Whether the members know each other well does not matter. It is about appearing united in public.

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

Found a mistake? Email us