The Nationalrat of Switzerland, also known as the National Council, is the lower house of the bicameral Federal Assembly of Switzerland. It plays a vital role in the Swiss federal political system and is responsible for representing the citizens of Switzerland at the national level.
Comprising of 200 members, the Nationalrat is directly elected by the people for a term of four years. Its members, known as Nationalrätinnen and Nationalräte, are chosen based on a nationwide proportional representation system. The size of the delegation from each canton depends on its population. With an aim to ensure a fair and balanced representation, the division of seats among the cantons is determined by a mathematical formula.
The Nationalrat is primarily responsible for legislating on various issues at the federal level, including taxation, social security, defense, and foreign affairs. It acts as a platform for vigorous debates, where representatives from different political parties voice their opinions and propose laws. Decisions in the Nationalrat are taken by majority vote, and its decisions are considered binding unless challenged by the other parliamentary chamber, the Ständerat.
As a key component of Switzerland's system of direct democracy, the Nationalrat is accountable to its constituents and acts as a conduit for citizen participation in the political process. It works in conjunction with the Ständerat, the Federal Council, and the Federal Supreme Court to ensure the smooth functioning of Switzerland's democratic institutions.
