Who runs the government business of Switzerland?

The Federal Council is the government of Switzerland (executive). That is why it runs the government business.

Common mistakes

D: the Federal Assembly

The Federal Assembly is the parliament. It makes laws and supervises the government, but it does not govern itself.

A: the political parties

Parties influence politics, but they do not govern themselves.

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.

How the state works · The Federal Council

Sources

• stadt-zuerich.ch
• admin.ch
• ch.ch

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