Switzerland
National Council
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Political system
Political systems: Presidential, Parliamentary, Presidential-Parliamentary, Monarchy, Communist, Transitional.
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Parliamentary system
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Structure of parliament
Structure of parliament: Unicameral, bicameral
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Bicameral
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IPU membership
Current membership status
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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
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The agendas of plenary meetings are published online in advance
The agendas of plenary meetings are published online in advance.
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All
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The agendas of committee meetings are published online in advance
The agendas of committee meetings are published online in advance.
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All
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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.
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All
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Draft legislation is published on the parliamentary website
Draft legislation is published on the parliamentary website.
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All
- Citizens can submit comments on draft legislation on the parliamentary web site
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No
Annual reporting by parliament
- Parliament publishes an annual report on its activities
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No
- The annual report is available on the parliamentary web site
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No information available
- Parliament publishes the parliamentary budget
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Yes
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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
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A summary of the main elements
- The parliamentary budget is available on the parliamentary web site
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No
- Link to the parliamentary budget
Access to parliament
- Plenary meetings are open to the public
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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
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No
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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).
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Yes
- Media used for the dedicated channel
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Webcast
- Meetings broadcast on the dedicated channel
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Plenary sittings
Freedom of information
- There is a freedom of information law in the country
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Yes
- Parliament is subject to the freedom of information law
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Yes
- Parliament has an office/division dedicated to FOI requests
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No
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Categories of Information that are exempt from disclosure
Certain categories of information may be exempt from disclosure
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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.
Lobbying
- There are rules about the activities of lobbyists in parliament
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No
- There is a register of accredited lobbyists
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Yes
- The register of accredited lobbyists is available on the parliamentary web site
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Yes