Federal administration of Switzerland

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See also: Switzerland as a federal state

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The federal administration of Switzerland (German: Bundesverwaltung, French: Administration fédérale, Italian: Amministrazione federale, Romansh: About this soundTribunal administrativ federal (help·info)) is the ensemble of agencies that constitute, together with the Swiss Federal Council, the executive branch of the Swiss federal authorities. The administration is charged with executing federal law and preparing draft laws and policy for the Federal Council and the Federal Assembly.[1]

The administration consists of seven federal departments and the Federal Chancellery. The departments are roughly equivalent to the ministries of other states, but their scope is generally broader. Each department consists of several federal offices, which are headed by a director, and of other agencies. The much smaller Federal Chancellery, headed by the Federal Chancellor, operates as an eighth department in most respects.

Federal Council[]

The administration in its entirety is directed by the Swiss Federal Council,[2] and the Federal Council and the administration are subject to parliamentary oversight by the Federal Assembly. Each member of the Federal Council is also, in his or her individual capacity, the head of one of the seven departments.[2] The Federal Council has the sole authority to decide on the size and composition of the departments, and to make all executive decisions that are not delegated by law to an individual department, or to the Chancellery. The Council also decides which department its members are appointed to lead, although it is customary that Councillors choose their preferred department in order of seniority.

The absence of hierarchic leadership within the Council has caused the departments to acquire a very considerable autonomy, to the extent that the federal executive has been characterised as "seven co-existing departmental governments."[2]

Size[]

From 1954 to 1990, roughly two percent of Switzerland's resident population were federal employees. This percentage has since declined due to army cutbacks and the partial privatisation of federal enterprises such as PTT (now Swisscom and Swiss Post).[3] As of 2008, the Confederation employed some 102,000 people, all but 32,000 of which were working for federal enterprises such as the Post and the Swiss Federal Railways.[3]

Development[]

After the founding of the Swiss federal state in 1848, the Federal Council and its handful of officials took up residence in the Erlacherhof in Berne.[3] The entire administrative staff consisted of 80 persons in 1849, while the postal service had 2,591 officials and the customs service 409.[3] The first dedicated administrative building, now the western wing of the Bundeshaus, was completed in 1857.[3]

The number of departments and Federal Councillors has been constitutionally fixed at seven since 1848.[4] The number of the departments' subordinate entities, which are constituted by statute – generally as "federal offices" after the 1910s – has grown substantially in step with the expanding role of the state in the 20th century, even though some have been merged or abolished.[4]

A 1964 government reform made the Federal Chancellery into the general staff unit of the Federal Council, and created as departmental staff units.[5] A 1978 statute granted the title of secretary of state to the holders of two (later three) directoral posts whose functions require independent interaction with foreign authorities.[6] Since the 1990s, New Public Management models have been experimentally introduced; twelve offices are now run with autonomous budgets.[1]

Location[]

Governmental and administrative offices are located in the east and west wings of the Federal Palace of Switzerland, to either side of the central Parliament Building.

The seat of the federal authorities, including almost all of the administration, is Berne. The departments and offices are located in the east and west wings of the Bundeshaus and in numerous buildings in or close to the city center. In the 1990s, some offices were moved to other parts of the country, in part to aid economic development of these regions.[3] Also, some federal authorities have field offices in other cities.

Organisation and responsibilities[]

Federal Chancellery[]

The Swiss Federal Chancellery is the staff organisation of the Federal Council and the federal administration. As of 2016, it is headed by Federal Chancellor Walter Thurnherr (CVP/PDC). It is composed of several sectors, the Federal Chancellery sector headed directly by the incumbent Chancellor, while the other two sectors are led by the Vice-Chancellors, the Federal Council sector by ,[7] and the information and communications sector by André Simonazzi.[8]

For administrative purposes, the Federal Data Protection and Information Commissioner (FDPIC) is affiliated to the Chancellery. The Federal Data Protection and Information Commissioner is responsible for the supervision of federal authorities and private bodies with respect to data protection and freedom of information legislation.

Federal Department of Foreign Affairs[]

See also: Foreign relations of Switzerland

The Federal Department of Foreign Affairs (FDFA) is Switzerland's ministry of foreign affairs. As of 2019, it is headed by Ignazio Cassis (FDP/PRD). It is composed of the General Secretariat and of the State Secretariat, which in turn is composed of the following directorates and agencies:[9]

  • : Led by the Secretary of State, responsible for coordinating Swiss foreign policy and administering Swiss foreign missions.
  • (DCM): Manages the Department's human and financial resources and provides legal advice.
  • (DPIL): Responsible for the study and application of public international law.
  • Swiss Agency for Development and Cooperation (SDC): Engages in development cooperation and provides humanitarian aid.
  • Protocol section: Responsible for diplomatic protocol, ceremony and precedence.
  • Integration office: Operated jointly with the FDEA and responsible for coordinating Switzerland's policy on Europe.
  • Presence Switzerland: Responsible for promoting Switzerland abroad.

Federal Department of Home Affairs[]

The Federal Department of Home Affairs (FDHA) is Switzerland's ministry of the Interior. As of 2019, it is headed by Alain Berset (SP/PS). It is composed of the following offices:[10]

The following independent authorities are affiliated to the FDHA for administrative purposes:

  • ETH Board and the ETH Domain: The system of federal technical universities and research institutes, including the ETH Zurich, the EPFL Lausanne, the Paul Scherrer Institute, the Federal Institute for Forest, Snow and Landscape Research, the Federal Laboratory for Materials Testing and Research and the Federal Institute for Environmental Science and Technology.
  • Swiss Agency for Therapeutic Products (Swissmedic): Certification and supervisory authority for drugs and other medical products.

Federal Department of Justice and Police[]

The Federal Department of Justice and Police is Switzerland's ministry of justice. As of 2019, it is headed by Karin Keller-Sutter (FDP/PRD). It is composed of the following offices and institutes:[11]

  • General Secretariat
  • (FOI): Responsible for providing legal advice to the administration, preparing general legislation, supervising government registers and collaborating on international judicial assistance.
  • Federal Office of Police (fedpol): Responsible for intercantonal and international information, coordination and analysis in internal security matters. It also operates the domestic intelligence service (Service for Analysis and Prevention SAP), and the (FCP), which investigates crimes subject to federal jurisdiction.
  • Federal Office for Migration (FOM): Responsible for matters relating to foreign nationals and asylum seekers.
  • Federal Office of Metrology (METAS): Provides calibration and accreditation services, supervises the use of measuring instruments and provides training in metrology.
  • Swiss Federal Institute of Intellectual Property (IIP): Registration authority for patents, trademarks and industrial design.
  • Swiss Institute of Comparative Law (SICL): Provides consultancy services on issues of comparative law.

The following independent authorities are affiliated to the FDJP for administrative purposes:

  • (FGB): Regulates casinos and enforces Swiss gambling law (except lotteries, which are regulated by the cantons).
  • (OAG): Criminal prosecuting authority with respect to crimes subject to federal jurisdiction, led by the .

Federal Department of Defence, Civil Protection and Sports[]

The Federal Department of Defence, Civil Protection and Sports (DDPS) is Switzerland's ministry of defence. As of 2019, is headed by Viola Amherd (CVP/PDC). It is composed of the following departmental sectors:[12]

  • Defence / Armed Forces sector: Swiss Armed Forces headquarters and staff, Land Forces, Air Force, Armed Forces Logistics Organisation (AFLO), Armed Forces Command Support Organisation (AFCSO).
  • Civil Protection sector: (FOCP), responsible for the coordination of the civil protection services of the cantons and municipalities. Operates the National Emergency Operations Centre (NEOC) and the Spiez Laboratory, which is responsible for weapons of mass destruction research and protection.
  • Sport sector: Federal Office of Sport (FOSPO), responsible for sport policy, the Tenero and the organisation.
  • armasuisse sector: Responsible for armaments procurement, technology and research.
  • Federal Office of Topography (swisstopo), which compiles and manages geographical reference data and maps.

The following services are also part of the DDPS:

  • General Secretariat
  • : The military prosecutor's office.
  • Strategic Intelligence Service (SIS): Switzerland's foreign intelligence service.
  • (DSP): Responsible for strategy development, defence and procurement policy, arms control and disarmament policy.

Federal Department of Finance[]

The Federal Department of Finance is Switzerland's ministry of finance. As of 2019, it is headed by Ueli Maurer (SVP/UDC). It is composed of the following offices:[13]

  • General Secretariat, including the Federal Strategy Unit for IT (FSUIT).
  • (FFA): Responsible for the budget, financial planning, financial policy, the federal treasury and financial equalisation between the Confederation and the cantons. Operates the federal mint.
  • (FOPER): Responsible for human resources management, personnel policy and personnel training.
  • (FTA): Responsible for federal revenue collection and the application of federal tax laws in the cantons.
  • (FCA): Responsible for monitoring the import, export and transit of goods, collecting customs duties, traffic charges and taxes. Operates the Swiss Border Guard, which carries out border police duties.
  • (SAB): Regulates the alcohol market.
  • (FOITT): Provides IT services for the federal administration.
  • (FBL): Responsible for property management, central procurement of non-durable goods, federal publications and the production of the Swiss passport.


The following independent authorities are affiliated to the FDF for administrative purposes:

  • (SFAO): The federal . Examines accounting practices and verifies the proper and efficient use of resources by the administration, other public service institutions and subsidy recipients.
  • Swiss Financial Market Supervisory Authority (FINMA): Regulates banks, insurances, securities dealers, investment funds and stock exchanges, as well as the disclosure of shareholding interests, public takeover bids and mortgage lenders.
  • (PUBLICA): Provides insurance coverage to employees of the federal administration, the other branches of the federal government and associated organisations.

Federal Department of Economic Affairs, Education and Research[]

The Federal Department of Economic Affairs, Education and Research (EAER) is Switzerland's ministry of the economy. As of 2019, it is headed by Guy Parmelin (SVP/UDC). It is composed of the following offices:[14]

  • General Secretariat, including the FCAB (responsible for consumer affairs) and the Swiss civilian service agency ().
  • State Secretariat for Economic Affairs (SECO): Responsible for national and international economic policy, trade negotiations and labour policy.
  • (FOAG): Responsible for agricultural policy and for to .
  • Federal Office for Professional Education and Technology (OPET): Responsible for vocational education and training, Universities of Applied Sciences and innovation promotion.
  • (FVO): Responsible for animal welfare and health, the safety of food of animal origin and the implementation of the .
  • Integration Office (see FDFA above)
  • (FONES): Manages emergency supplies of essential goods and services.
  • (FHO): Responsible for housing policy.

The following independent authorities are affiliated to the FDEA for administrative purposes:

Federal Department of Environment, Transport, Energy and Communications[]

As of 2019, the Federal Department of Environment, Transport, Energy and Communications (DETEC) is headed by Simonetta Sommaruga (SP/PS). It is composed of the following offices:[15]

  • General Secretariat
  • (ARE): Coordinates area planning between the federal agencies, the cantons and the municipalities.
  • Federal Office for the Environment (FOEN): Responsible for matters of the environment, including the protection of plants and animals and the protection against noise, air pollution or natural hazards.
  • Federal Office for Civil Aviation (FOCA): Regulates civil aviation.
  • (OFCOM): Regulates radio and TV stations, notably the Swiss Broadcasting Corporation.
  • (FOE): Responsible for the provision of electrical energy at the federal level, as well as for the supervision of dams.
  • Federal Office of Transport (FOT): Responsible for public transport at the federal level, including the development of the federal rail network and navigation on the Rhine.
  • (FEDRO): Responsible for the construction, maintenance and operation of the national highway network.

The following independent authorities are affiliated to the DETEC for administrative purposes:

  • Aircraft Accident Investigation Bureau (AAIB): Technical investigating authority for aircraft accidents.
  • (ComCom): Regulates the telecommunications market, awards service licences, rules on interconnection disputes and approves frequency and numbering plans.
  • (ESTI): Responsible for inspecting low and heavy-current electrical installations.
  • (HSK): Assesses and monitors security and radiation protection in Swiss nuclear installations.
  • (ERI): Responsible for the planning, construction and operation of systems in Switzerland and Liechtenstein.
  • Independent Complaints Authority for Radio and Television: Decides on complaints about radio and television programmes.
  • Investigation Bureau for Railway, Funicular and Boat Accidents: Technical investigating authority for accidents on railways, cableways, funicular railways and ships.
  • : Regulates the Swiss Post.
  • (RACO): Arbitrates in disputes over access to the rail network.

Notes and references[]

  1. ^ Jump up to: a b Raimund E. Germann: Tasks of the Federal Administration in German, French and Italian in the online Historical Dictionary of Switzerland, 2006-09-25.
  2. ^ Jump up to: a b c Raimund E. Germann: Non-hierarchical government in the Federal Administration in German, French and Italian in the online Historical Dictionary of Switzerland, 2006-09-25.
  3. ^ Jump up to: a b c d e f Raimund E. Germann: Beginnings and Growth of the Federal Administration in German, French and Italian in the online Historical Dictionary of Switzerland, 2006-09-25.
  4. ^ Jump up to: a b Raimund E. Germann: Departments and Federal Offices of the Federal Administration in German, French and Italian in the online Historical Dictionary of Switzerland, 2006-09-25.
  5. ^ Raimund E. Germann: Federal Chancellery and Staff Units in the Federal Administration in German, French and Italian in the online Historical Dictionary of Switzerland, 2006-09-25.
  6. ^ Raimund E. Germann: Group Formation and Secretaries of State in the Federal Administration in German, French and Italian in the online Historical Dictionary of Switzerland, 2006-09-25.
  7. ^ "Vice Chancellor Viktor Rossi". Federal Chancellery. Retrieved 13 October 2019.
  8. ^ "Organisation of the Federal Chancellery". Federal Chancellery. Retrieved 1 May 2008.
  9. ^ "Organization chart". Federal Department of Foreign Affairs. Retrieved 1 May 2008.
  10. ^ "Federal offices and competence domains". Federal Department of Home Affairs. Archived from the original on 28 November 2007. Retrieved 1 May 2008.
  11. ^ "Organization Chart FDJP". Federal Department of Justice and Police. Archived from the original on 16 March 2008. Retrieved 1 May 2008.
  12. ^ "Organisation". Federal Department of Defence, Civil Protection and Sports. Archived from the original on 14 May 2008. Retrieved 1 May 2008.
  13. ^ "Organisation chart". Federal Department of Finance. Archived from the original on 7 October 2008. Retrieved 1 May 2008.
  14. ^ "Organisation of the FDEA". Federal Department of Economic Affairs. Archived from the original on 13 August 2007. Retrieved 1 May 2008.
  15. ^ "The aims of the Department of the Environment, Transport, Energy, and Communications (DETEC)". Federal Department of Environment, Transport, Energy and Communications. Archived from the original on 7 August 2007. Retrieved 1 May 2008.

See also[]

External links[]

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