Page 205 - DPOL202_COMPARATIVE_POLITICS_AND_GOVERNMENT_ENGLISH

Comparative Politics and Government

Notes The National Council (Nationalrat) is the representative chamber of Swiss Parliament. It has 200
members elected directly by the people by means of proportional representation with list system and
secret ballot. The minimum age of a voter is 20 years and now discrimination on the ground of sex
has been abolished. Each canton, whether half or full, forms an electoral constituency and seats are
allotted to it according to the ratio of one for every 24,000 of the total population. It is required that
each canton must send at least one representative to the lower house. As the cantons are represented
in this chamber in proportion to their population, there are naturally wide differences in the allocation
of seats. Thus, Zurich (because of being the biggest canton) has the highest number of seats (35). It is
specified that a clergyman or a member of the Federal Council or Federal Tribunal or of any department
of the Federal Government can not be elected as its deputy.
The term of this House is of four years. But mid-term polls may take place in case the two chambers
fail to agree over a proposal for constitutional revision. It elects its own President and Vice-President
for one year. Neither of them is eligible for re-election in the consecutive year. Custom requires that
the Vice-president should be elevated to the post of the President. When the House meets in its
normal session in the months of March, June, September and December or in any extra-ordinary
session, the President acts as the Chairman. He regulates the business, protects privileges and dignities
of the house, and uses his casting vote to break a tie. But his office is honorary, neither as exalted as
of his English counterpart, nor as influential as we find in the case of the parliamentary leaders and
those men who have been so fortunate as to attain it to enjoy a special prestige among their party
associates.
The sessions of both the chambers are held concurrently but in separate houses. However, joint sessions
take place for definite purposes as to elect the members of the Federal Council, Federal Tribunal,
Federal Insurance Tribunal, Chancellor of the Confederation, Commander-in-Chief of the armed
forces, grant of pardon or amnesty and resolution of disagreement between them. When such a
sitting takes place, decisions are taken by the majority of votes and the President of the National
Council presides over the joint session.
Functions and Powers: The functions and powers of the Swiss Federal Assembly may be discussed
under four heads - legislative, executive, judicial and constituent.
1. As regards legislative powers, it is competent to enact all laws and decrees dealing with matters
failing under the jurisdiction of federal authorities. It determines and enacts necessary measurers
to ensure due observance of national Constitution. It also votes on treaties and constitutional
amendments. It passes all federal laws and legislative ordinances, considers and passes the
annual budget, approves state accounts and authorises public loans floated by the federal
government. It can demand all kinds of information on the administration of the Confederation
and direct questions to the national executive.
2. It exercises important executive functions also. In its joint session it elects seven members of the
Federal Council and designates one of them as its President, elects 26 judges of the Federal
Tribunal and designates one of them as its President, elects twelve substitute judges for the
national judiciary, also elects one Commander-in-Chief during war times, elects one Chancellor
to work as the General Secretary of the Federal Council, and elects the members of the Federal
Insurance Tribunal. It declares war and peace and ratifies alliances and treaties. All treaties
concluded by the cantons among themselves or with foreign states must be confirmed by the
Federal Assembly provided they are referred to it either by the cantons or by the Federal Council.
In case a cantonal government fails to execute federal laws and regulations, the Federal Assembly
decides on the nature of intervention against the recalcitrant party.
3. As regards its judicial powers, it exercises the prerogative of granting pardon and amnesty. It
deals with conflicts of jurisdiction between different federal authorities. It also hears appeals
against the decisions of the Federal Council relating to administrative disputes.

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