| Parliament name (generic / translated) |
Bundesversammlung - Assemblée fédérale - Assemblea federale / Federal Assembly |
| Structure of parliament |
Bicameral |
| Chamber name (generic / translated) |
Ständerat - Conseil des Etats - Consiglio degli Stati / Council of States |
| Related chamber (for bicameral parliaments) |
Nationalrat - Conseil national - Consiglio nazionale / National Council
|
| APPOINTMENT AND TERM OF OFFICE |
| Title |
President of the Council of States |
| Term |
- duration: 1 year
- reasons for interruption of the term: resignation, death |
| Appointment |
- elected by the Members of the Council
- the election is held every year at the beginning of the winter session, following validation of Members' mandates and swearing-in |
| Eligibility |
- all Members of the Council (barring the second cantonal MP elected in the canton of the outgoing President) |
| Voting system |
- formal vote by secret ballot
- an absolute majority of the valid ballots cast is required
- several rounds if no candidate obtains the required majority
- the first two rounds are free - however, starting with the third round, the candidate with the fewest votes must withdraw |
| Procedures / results |
- the outgoing President presides over the Council during the voting
- the tellers supervise the voting
- the presiding officer of the sitting announces the results without delay
- the results cannot be challenged |
| STATUS |
| Status |
- ranks fifth in the hierarchy of State, after the President of the Confederation, the Vice-President of the Federal Council, the five other federal councillors and the President of the National Council
- ranks second in the order of precedence between the Presidents of the two Houses
- is the Deputy Presiding officer of joint sittings of both Houses (Federal Assembly)
- represents the Council of States in international bodies
- presides ex officio over the Board, the administrative delegation, the Co-ordinating Conference and, at present, the delegation to the Parliamentary Assembly of the OSCE
- in case of absence, the President is replaced by the Deputy President or former President who is still an MP. Should a vacancy arise before the beginning of the summer session, the Council elects a new President without delay
|
| Board |
- the Board is regulated by the Standing Orders of the Council of States
- consists of 5 Members (President, Vice-President, 2 tellers, 1 substitute teller)
- a term of five years, with each Member occupying successively the post of substitute teller, second teller, first teller, Vice-President and President, each post being held for one year
- meets before each session and as need be during sessions at the President's initiative
- is a decision-making body |
| Material facilities |
- allowance
- additional allowance of SF 20,000
- official car
- secretariat for the President's Office |
| FUNCTIONS |
| Organization of parliamentary business |
- establishes and modifies the agenda, while respecting the timetable laid down by the Board
- organizes the debates and sets speaking time
Chairing public sittings :
- can open, adjourn and close sittings
- ensures respect for provisions of the Constitution and Standing Orders
- makes announcements concerning the Chamber
- takes disciplinary measures in the event of disturbance, and lifts such measures
- establishes the list of speakers, gives and withdraws permission to speak
- calls for a vote, decides how it is to be carried out, verifies the voting procedure and cancels a vote in the event of irregularities
- checks the quorum
- authenticates the texts adopted and the records of debates
- interprets the rules or other regulations governing the life of the Chamber |
| Chairing of public sittings |
- can open, adjourn and close sittings
- ensures respect for provisions of the Constitution and Standing Orders
- makes announcements concerning the Council (e.g. reads out the agenda for the next sitting of the National Council
- takes disciplinary measures in the event of disturbance, and lifts such measures
- establishes the list of speakers, gives and withdraws permission to speak
- establishes the order in which amendments are taken up
- calls for a vote, decides how it is to be carried out, verifies the voting procedure and cancels a vote in the event of irregularities
- checks the quorum
- authenticates the texts adopted and the records of debates
- interprets the rules or other regulations governing the life of the Council |
| Special powers |
- takes part in the establishment of the Chamber's budget within the administrative delegation, together with the President of the other Chamber
- confirms certain appointments made by the administrative delegation
- takes part in the appointment of the Secretary General as part of the Co-ordinating Conference
- is consulted with regard to the organization of the services of Parliament
- is regularly briefed by the Government on the foreign relations situation, on planned projects within the framework of international organizations and on negotiations conducted with foreign States
- is responsible for relations with foreign Parliaments, in agreement with the Co-ordinating Conference
- is responsible for safety, and in this capacity, can call the police in the event of disturbance in the Chamber |
| Speaking and voting rights, other functions |
- takes the floor in legislative debates (in which case he lets the Vice-President preside)
- only votes in case of a tie
- proposes bills or amendments |
Compare data for parliamentary chambers in the Presidency module
