Swiss Passport

Question 41 of 350 · The Federal Council

Who elects the seven members of the Federal Council?

Wer wählt die sieben Mitglieder des Bundesrats?

Correct answer: D

  1. Athe party presidentsdie Parteipräsidentinnen und Parteipräsidenten
  2. Bthe voters by direct electiondie Stimmbürgerinnen und Stimmbürger in direkter Wahl
  3. Cthe Council of Eldersder Rat der Ältesten
  4. Dthe National Council and the Council of StatesNationalrat und Ständerat

Why

The members of the Federal Council are elected by the United Federal Assembly, that is, by the National Council and the Council of States together.

Common mistakes

B: the voters by direct election
The people do not elect the Federal Council directly. They elect Parliament, and Parliament elects the Federal Council.
A: the party presidents
The parties propose candidates. But the election takes place in Parliament.

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.