Government Of Switzerland
The Federal Council is the seven-member executive council which constitutes the federal government of Switzerland and serves as the Swiss collective head of state.
While the entire council is responsible for leading the federal administration of Switzerland, each Councillor heads one of the seven federal executive departments. The current members of the Federal Council are, in order of seniority:
| Member of Council | Joined Council | Party | Canton | Function | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Doris Leuthard | 1 August 2006 | Christian Democrats | Aargau | Head of Federal Department of Environment, Transport, Energy and Communications | ||
| Eveline Widmer-Schlumpf | 1 January 2008 | Conservative Democrats | Graubünden | President for 2012; Head of Federal Department of Finance | ||
| Ueli Maurer | 1 January 2009 | Swiss People's Party | Zurich | Vice President for 2012; Head of Federal Department of Defence, Civil Protection and Sports | ||
| Didier Burkhalter | 1 November 2009 | FDP.The Liberals | Neuchâtel | Head of Federal Department of Foreign Affairs | ||
| Simonetta Sommaruga | 1 November 2010 | Social Democrats | Bern | Head of Federal Department of Justice and Police | ||
| Johann Schneider-Ammann | 1 November 2010 | FDP.The Liberals | Bern | Head of Federal Department of Economic Affairs | ||
| Alain Berset | 1 January 2012 | Social Democrats | Fribourg | Head of Federal Department of Home Affairs | ||
Read more about Government Of Switzerland: Assessment and Calls For Change, List of "firsts" in The Federal Council
Famous quotes containing the words government of, government and/or switzerland:
“I do not hesitate to say, that those who call themselves Abolitionists should at once effectually withdraw their support, both in person and property, from the government of Massachusetts, and not wait until they constitute a majority of one, before they suffer the right to prevail through them. I think that it is enough if they have God on their side, without waiting for that other one. Moreover, any man more right than his neighbors constitutes a majority of one already.”
—Henry David Thoreau (1817–1862)
“What makes the United States government, on the whole, more tolerable—I mean for us lucky white men—is the fact that there is so much less of government with us.... But in Canada you are reminded of the government every day. It parades itself before you. It is not content to be the servant, but will be the master; and every day it goes out to the Plains of Abraham or to the Champs de Mars and exhibits itself and toots.”
—Henry David Thoreau (1817–1862)
“I look upon Switzerland as an inferior sort of Scotland.”
—Sydney Smith (1771–1845)