Switzerland

Council of States

Political system
Parliamentary system
Structure of parliament
Bicameral
IPU membership
Yes

Law-making

Data on parliament’s law-making role and activities

Legislative activity

Number of laws adopted by parliament, per year
42
(2022)
Total number of laws adopted by Parliament in the previous legislature
203
(2023-12)
Number of laws adopted in the previous legislature that were initiated by parliament
59
(2023-12)
Number of laws adopted in the previous legislature that were initiated by the government
141
(2023-12)
Percentage of laws initiated by parliament in the previous legislature
29%
(2023-12)
Dates of the previous legislature
02 Dec 2019 to 03 Dec 2023
(2023-12)
Outcome when the two chambers cannot agree on a piece of draft legislation
The legislation cannot be adopted unless both chambers agree

Sources: Constitution, art. 156, al. 2

Executive-legislative relations

Legislation adopted by parliament requires the assent of the Head of State
No
Number of times the Head of State declined to give assent to legislation, per year
Not applicable
(2023)
Consequences when the Head of State declines to give assent to legislation
Not applicable
Final decision when parliament and the Head of State do not agree
Not applicable

Existence of a procedure to introduce emergency legislation

Click for historical data

Historical data for IPU membership

Historical data for IPU membership
Year IPU membership
2020-09
List of values for 2020-09
No
2019-04
List of values for 2019-04
No
2018-06
List of values for 2018-06
No