Question 40 of 350 · The Federal Council
What is the executive in Switzerland at federal level called?
Wie heisst die Exekutive in der Schweiz auf Bundesebene?
Correct answer: C
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.
How the state works · The Federal Council
Sources
Official question of the Canton of Zurich (Gemeindeamt, May 2025). Translation and explanation: Swiss Passport.