Switzerland
Openness and transparency
Information about access to parliamentary documents, parliament’s reporting to the public, parliament’s relation to Freedom of Information laws, and lobbying.
Parliamentary documents
The agendas of plenary meetings are published online in advance
The agendas of plenary meetings are published online in advance.
The agendas of committee meetings are published online in advance
The agendas of committee meetings are published online in advance.
Results of votes on draft legislation are published on the parliamentary web site
Results of votes on draft legislation are published on the parliamentary web site.
Draft legislation is published on the parliamentary website
Draft legislation is published on the parliamentary website.
Citizens can submit comments on draft legislation on the parliamentary web site
No
Compare data of this field.
Annual reporting by parliament
Parliament publishes an annual report on its activities
Parliament publishes the parliamentary budget
Level of detail of the parliamentary budget made available to the public
Level of detail of the parliamentary budget made available to the public: Only the total amount; A summary of the main elements; The complete budget
A summary of the main elements
The parliamentary budget is available on the parliamentary web site
No
Access to parliament
Plenary meetings are open to the public
Notes
Individual visitors: it is not necessary to register. Entry is free of charge upon presentation of an official identity card, to be deposited with reception. The time allowed in the gallery may be limited during peak visiting hours.
Committee meetings are open to the public
There is a dedicated channel for broadcasting parliamentary meetings
A dedicated channel is one that is mainly about parliament, and is accessible free of charge to the general public. The channel might be owned by Parliament or a public or private company. Dedicated channels may be broadcast by parliament, government, or another broadcaster. They may be carried on television, radio or the Internet (webcasting).
Media used for the dedicated channel
Webcast
Meetings broadcast on the dedicated channel
Plenary sittings
Freedom of information
There is a freedom of information law in the country
Yes
Parliament is subject to the freedom of information law
Parliament has an office/division dedicated to FOI requests
No
Categories of Information that are exempt from disclosure
Certain categories of information may be exempt from disclosure
The Freedom of Information Act came into force on 1 July 2006. It is intended to promote transparency with regard to the purpose, organisation and activities of the federal administration, while guaranteeing access to official documents produced after 1 July 2006. The principle of freedom of information does not apply to deliberations or documentation concerning meetings held by the parliamentary committees and delegations, which shall remain confidential (cf. Art. 47 of the Parliament Act in relation to Art. 4 of the Freedom of Information Act). The Act applies to the Parliamentary Services only insofar as they are not acting directly for the Federal Assembly, its agencies or its members. It is therefore only valid with regard to documents concerning the administrative activities of the Parliamentary Services.
https://www.fedlex.admin.ch/eli/fga/2004/1275/fr
https://www.fedlex.admin.ch/eli/fga/2004/1275/fr