Switzerland

National Council

Political system: Parliamentary system
Structure of parliament: Bicameral
IPU membership: Yes

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: All
The agendas of committee meetings are published online in advance: All
Results of votes on draft legislation are published on the parliamentary web site: All
Draft legislation is published on the parliamentary website: All
Citizens can submit comments on draft legislation on the parliamentary web site: No

Annual reporting by parliament

Parliament publishes an annual report on its activities: No
The annual report is available on the parliamentary web site: No information available
Parliament publishes the parliamentary budget: Yes
Level of detail of the parliamentary budget made available to the public: 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: Yes

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: No
There is a dedicated channel for broadcasting parliamentary meetings: Yes
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: Yes
Parliament has an office/division dedicated to FOI requests: No
Categories of Information that are 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

Lobbying

There are rules about the activities of lobbyists in parliament: No
There is a register of accredited lobbyists: Yes
The register of accredited lobbyists is available on the parliamentary web site: Yes

Switzerland

National Council

Openness and transparency

Parliamentary documents

Annual reporting by parliament

Access to parliament

Freedom of information

Lobbying

Historical data for IPU membership