swiss politics and political institutions: 3. government and parliament
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Swiss politics and political institutions: 3. Government and Parliament. Prof. Dr. Andreas Ladner iMPA 2012. The Parliament. Two “symmetric” houses An important number of parties Changing majorities Parliamentary groups Permanent commissions Reforms. The Council of States (46 seats). - PowerPoint PPT PresentationTRANSCRIPT
Swiss politics and political institutions:
3. Government and Parliament
Prof. Dr. Andreas Ladner
iMPA 2012
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The Parliament
Two “symmetric” houses
An important number of parties
Changing majorities
Parliamentary groups
Permanent commissions
Reforms
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Parties and seats in the Council of States (1975-2007)
1975 1979 1983 1987 1991 1995 1999 2003 2007
Radicals 15 11 14 14 18 17 18 14 12Christian Democrats
17 18 18 19 16 16 15 1515
Social Democrats
5 9 6 5 3 5 6 99
Swiss People's Party
5 5 5 4 4 5 7 8 7
Liberals 1 3 3 3 3 2 - -
Independants
1 - - 1 1 1 - -
Lega - - - - 1 - - -
Greens 2Greens lib. 1
Total 44 * 46 46 46 46 46 46 46 46
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Parties and seats in the National Council (1975-2007)
0
10
20
30
40
50
60
70
1919
1922
1928
1935
1939
1943
1947
1951
1955
1959
1963
1967
1971
1975
1979
1983
1987
1991
1995
1999
2003
2007
Radicals Christian Democrats Social Democrats
Swiss People's Party Greens Others
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A very cheap parliament (Zgraggen 2004)
Income/Expenses/Time charge
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The parliament loses its predominant position
At the end of World War I
Reasons: Increasing importance of Foreign Policy,
Administration becomes more important
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Factions 2007-2011
Fraktion Zusammensetzung Total NR SR
Fraktion der Schweizerischen Volkspartei V 69 SVP, 1 Lega 70 63 7
Sozialdemokratische Fraktion S 52 SP 52 43 9
Freisinnig-demokratische Fraktion RL 43 FDP, 4 LPS 47 35 12
CVP/EVP/glp CEg 46 CVP, 2 EVP, 4 glp 52 36 16
Grüne Fraktion G 22 GPS, 1 CSP, 1 PdAS 24 22 2
fraktionslos - 1 EDU 1 1 -
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Committees
It is the task of the committees to carry out a preliminary examination of issues allotted to them, which means that they work closely with the Federal Council.The National Council has 12 standing committees:10 legislative and 2 supervisory committees.
The Council of States has 11 standing committees:9 legislative and 2 supervisory committees. The National Council committees are made up of 25 members *) while the Council of States committees each have 13 members.The committees are also responsible for monitoring social and political developments in the areas allotted to them by the Offices, and for proposing solutions to problems that arise (through a committee initiative).The committees meet on average for 3 or 4 days per quarter.
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Legislative Committees
Foreign Affairs Committees FAC
Committees for Science, Education and Culture CSEC
Committees for Social Security and Health CSSH
Committees for the Environment, Spatial Planning and Energy CESPE
Defence Committees DefC
Committees for Transportation and Telecommunications CTT
Committees for Economic Affairs and Taxation CEAT
Political Institutions Committees PIC
Committees for Legal Affairs CLA
Committee for Public Buildings CPB
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Supervisory Committees
Finance Committees FC
Control Committees CC
Parliamentary investigation committees (PIC)
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Parliamentary instruments
Parliamentary initiatives enable a member to submit a draft bill for an act or to propose in general terms that such a text be drafted. All legislative work takes place in a committee. Parliamentary initiatives are subject to a preliminary examination.
A motion obliges the Federal Council to submit a specific draft bill or decree or to take appropriate measures. A motion requires the approval of both chambers.
A postulate is a form of request requiring the Federal Council to examine and report on whether an act or decree needs to be drafted or if other measures need to be taken.
A postulate can also require the Federal Council to present a report on another issue. A postulate is binding once it is approved by one of the two chambers.
An interpellation enables members of the Federal Assembly to request information on important events or matters relating to foreign or domestic policy affecting the Confederation. A debate can be requested on the response given by the Federal Council.
An ordinary question in the same way as an interpellation, enables members to request information on important events or matters relating to foreign or domestic policy affecting the Confederation. However, contrary to interpellations, ordinary questions are not put before the Federal Council, but are answered in writing by the Federal Council.
Question time is a procedure used only by the National Council to deal with current issues. During question time, members of the Federal Council appear before the National Council to respond to questions from Council members. Question time, which lasts no longer than 90 minutes, takes place at the beginning of the second and third weeks of sessions.
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Summary of the main tasks
Election of the Federal Council
Legislation
Budget
Oversight and Control
Representation of the citizens
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Decision making process (2)
1. FDHA – Expert committee
2. Consultation on the report of the expert committee
3. Draft of Federal Council with two variants + 3 variants of the corresponding committee of the NC
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Decision making process (3)
4./5. Consultation
6. Submission to the Parliament
7. No go!
8. NC_CSSH suggests a new initiative
9. Federal Council submits initiative with request for minor changes
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Decision making process (4)
10. /11. NC-CSSH does not follow the Federal Council neither does the NC
12. /13. CS-CSSH does follows the Federal Council, and so does the CS14. NC joins CS with minor changes
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Decision making process (5)15. Revision passes the two chambers
16. Referendum challenge
17. Citizens accept
18. New provisions are put into force, 15 years from the beginning