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What is Confederation in Switzerland?
Switzerland, officially the Swiss Confederation, is a landlocked country at the confluence of Western, Central and Southern Europe. It is a federal republic composed of 26 cantons, with federal authorities based in Bern. The main international airports of Switzerland are also located in these cities.
What are the political parties in Switzerland?
Political parties and elections Switzerland has a rich party landscape. The four parties represented in the Federal Council are generally called the government parties: Free Democratic Party, Social Democratic Party, Christian Democratic Party, and Swiss People’s Party.
Why is Switzerland divided into cantons?
Historically, each canton had its own army and money. That changed in 1848 when Switzerland came out of civil war and switched to the federal structure it has now. This means that each canton now has its own government, laws, and constitution. There are 20 cantons and six half cantons in this country.
What are communes in Switzerland?
Communes (German: Gemeinden / French: communes / Italian: comuni / Romansh: vischnancas), also known as municipalities, are the smallest government division in Switzerland, numbering 2,636 as of 2009.
Who are the UDC in Switzerland?
The Swiss People’s Party (German: Schweizerische Volkspartei, SVP; Romansh: Partida populara Svizra, PPS), also known as the Democratic Union of the Centre (French: Union démocratique du centre, UDC; Italian: Unione Democratica di Centro, UDC), is a national-conservative, right-wing populist political party in …
What do you call a Swiss canton?
Switzerland is divided into 26 different areas called cantons. A canton is similar to a state in the United States. The cantons Uri, Schwyz, Unterwalden (Nidwalden and Obwalden together are called Unterwalden) are called Urkantone. An Urkanton is a canton that existed since the foundation of Switzerland in 1291.
What is the name of the currency used in Switzerland?
Swiss franc
Switzerland/Currencies
Please note that Switzerland remains with the Swiss franc, usually indicated as CHF. While Switzerland is not part of the European Union and thus is not obliged to convert to the Euro, many prices are nonetheless indicated in euros so that visitors may compare prices.
What are cantons and communes?
Switzerland has been a federal state since 1848. Authority is shared between the Confederation (central state), the 26 cantons and half-cantons (federal states) and the 2,240 smaller local communes, or municipalities. (
What type of economic system does Switzerland have?
The economy of Switzerland is one of the world’s most advanced and highly-developed free-market economies. The service sector has come to play a significant economic role, particularly the Swiss banking industry and tourism.
What is the political system in Switzerland?
Politics of Switzerland. The Federal Council holds the executive power and is composed of seven power-sharing Federal Councillors elected by the Federal Assembly. The judicial branch is headed by the Federal Supreme Court of Switzerland, whose judges are elected by the Federal Assembly.
How many cantons are there in Switzerland?
The 26 cantons of Switzerland are the member states of the federal state of Switzerland. Each canton was a fully sovereign state with its own borders, army and currency from the Treaty of Westphalia (1648) until the establishment of the Swiss federal state in 1848.
What is the judicial branch of the Swiss government?
The judicial branch is headed by the Federal Supreme Court of Switzerland, whose judges are elected by the Federal Assembly. Switzerland has a tradition of direct democracy. For any change in the constitution, a referendum is mandatory ( mandatory referendum ); for any change in a law, a referendum can be requested ( optional referendum ).
What is the structure of the Swiss parliament?
Switzerland has a bicameral parliament called the Federal Assembly, which is composed by: The Federal Assembly convenes to elect the members of the Federal Council. The two chambers are equal (perfect bicameralism).