Switzerland is a federal state composed of 26 cantons (20 are "full" cantons and six "half" cantons for purposes of representation in the federal legislature) that retain attributes of sovereignty, such as fiscal autonomy and the right to manage internal cantonal affairs. Under the 1874 constitution, cantons hold all powers not specifically delegated to the federation. Switzerland's federal institutions are:
A bicameral legislature -- the Federal Assembly; A collegial executive of seven members -- the Federal Council; and A judiciary consisting of a single, regular court, the Federal Tribunal, in Lausanne and special military and administrative courts. The Federal Insurance Tribunal is an independent division for social security.
CURRENT GOVERNMENT
President
Couchepin, Pascal
Vice President
Metzler-Arnold, Ruth
Chief, Federal Dept. of Defense, Civil Protection, & Sports
Schmid, Samuel
Chief, Federal Dept. of Economic Affairs
Deiss, Joseph
Chief, Federal Dept. of Finance
Villiger, Kasper
Chief, Federal Dept. of Foreign Affairs
Calmy-Rey, Micheline
Chief, Federal Dept. of Home Affairs
Couchepin, Pascal
Chief, Federal Dept. of Justice & Police
Metzler-Arnold, Ruth
Chief, Federal Dept. of Transportation, Communications, & Energy
