Canada and the World Backgrounder, December 1st, 2003
Capital: Bern
Head of State and Government: President Pascal Couchepin (since December 2002) A seven-member Federal Council is elected by the Federal Assembly from among its own number. The President is chosen by and from the Federal Council to serve a one-year term
Under the Swiss constitution the make-up of the government is not determined by parliamentary majority but in accordance with a four-party power-sharing agreement, established in 1959 and known as the "magic formula." Of the seven posts in the Federal Council, two go to the Free Democrats, two to the Social Democrats, two to th...
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