Switzerland Has No President—It Has a 7-Member Federal Council

Switzerland does not have a president. Instead, it has a seven-member Federal Council (Bundesrat / Conseil fédéral / Consiglio federale) that serves as the collective head of state and government.

How It Works

• Election: Federal Assembly (both chambers) elects 7 Councilors for 4-year terms (renewable).
• Collegiality: Decisions made by consensus; all members defend collective decisions publicly.
• Departments: Each heads a federal department (Finance, Foreign Affairs, Defense, Justice, Environment, Economic Affairs, Home Affairs).
• Presidency (Rotating): One Councilor serves as President of the Confederation for one year—ceremonial, representational, no extra power. Rotates by seniority.

Current Council (2024)

• Viola Amherd (President 2024, Defense)
• Guy Parmelin (Economic Affairs)
• Ignazio Cassis (Foreign Affairs)
• Karin Keller-Sutter (Justice)
• Albert Rösti (Environment)
• Élisabeth Baume-Schneider (Home Affairs)
• Beat Jans (Finance)

Since 1848, there have been 175+ individuals who served as Federal Councilors, each rotating as one-year President. No single "president" exists.