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Switzerland

Switzerland is a federal semi-direct democratic republic in Western Europe, its capital Bern. Executive authority is held collectively by the seven-member Federal Council, one of whom serves a one-year term as President of the Confederation; the bicameral Federal Assembly, comprising the National Council and the Council of States, holds legislative power.

Facts
Classification
Freedom Status
Liberal Democracy 1
Founding Year
1848 2
Connections

Associated With

Constitution of Switzerland, Documents

Constitution of Switzerland, adopted 1999, the current constitutional order of Switzerland.

Source Federal Constitution of Switzerland (Wikipedia)

Governed By

Swiss Federal Council, Governments
Source Politics of Switzerland (Wikipedia)Wikipedia contributors

Practices

Direct Democracy, Systems of Government
Source Direct democracy (Wikipedia)
Federal System, Systems of Government
Source Switzerland (Wikipedia)
In the Other Atlases

Same As

Switzerland

Also in Geography Atlas: the same subject.

Has Member

Financial Action Task Force

Also in Economics Atlas: a member of this subject.

Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development

Also in Economics Atlas: a member of this subject.

Sources
1. Freedom House: Switzerland (Freedom in the World 2025)
Freedom HouseOverview, Global Freedom Score 96/100 (free)
Quote, Overview, Global Freedom Score 96/100 (free)
Switzerland's political system is characterized by decentralization and direct democracy, and broad coalition governments are the norm.
View the Source
2. Switzerland (Wikipedia)
  • Infobox: established_date4
    12 September 1848
  • Practices: Federal System, Infobox: government_type
    Federal assembly-independent directorial republic
View the Source
Politics of Switzerland (Wikipedia)
Wikipedia contributors, Wikimedia Foundation
  • Lead section
    Switzerland is a federal state with representative democracy.
  • Governed By: Swiss Federal Council, Executive branch section
    The Federal Council is elected by the Federal Assembly for a four-year term.
View the Source
Direct democracy (Wikipedia)
Practices: Direct Democracy, Article text
Quote, Practices: Direct Democracy, Article text
This form of direct democracy effectively grants the voting public a veto on laws adopted by the elected legislature, as in Switzerland.
View the Source
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