National Council and Council of States

The Swiss Parliament is called the Federal Assembly. It has two chambers: the National Council and the Council of States. The National Council has 200 members. It represents the people. Large cantons have more seats than small ones. The Council of States has 46 members. It mainly represents the cantons. Each canton has two seats, the six former half-cantons one each. Together there are 246 members.

Both chambers are equally strong. Normally they meet separately. Sometimes they meet in a joint session. They are then called the United Federal Assembly. It consists of all members of the National Council and the Council of States. Parliament has its seat in the Federal Palace in Bern. The Federal Council also works there.

The members of Parliament are elected by the people, namely by the Swiss citizens who are entitled to vote. Foreigners may not vote at federal level. The parties put forward candidates, but it is the people who elect. The elections take place every four years, most recently in 2023, next in 2027.

Memory aid: 200 + 46 = 246. «Stände» is an old word for cantons: the Council of States (Ständerat) represents the cantons.