Let’s first cover some ground to get the country fixed on the map. Switzerland is about the size of New Jersey and split into 26 cantons or states that have more independence from federal government than do the states of the United States. That there are so many states in this small country has historical origins which I’ll cover later.
You see Switzerland surrounded by countries which form part of the European Union, namely Germany, France, Italy, and Austria. There is one exception to the east of Switzerland: The Principality of Liechtenstein which is sandwiched between Switzerland and Austria is, like Switzerland, no member of the EU.
The geography leads to some peculiarities: Since 1921, Switzerland and Liechtenstein form an economic and customs union with both countries using the Swiss Franc as their common currency. The borders between the two countries are completely open and never patrolled. Switzerland is a signatory partner to the treaties of Schengen, which means that the borders of Switzerland and the European Union are completely open, but Liechtenstein isn't. The borders should be closed between the two countries but aren't because Liechtenstein's border posts are manned and run by Swiss officials. On the other hand, Liechtenstein is a signatory partner of the European Free Market allowing the unchecked flow of goods, while Switzerland isn’t. Makes everybody’s head hurt, I suppose.
History leads to another weird situation. The 26 cantons or states of Switzerland conform roughly to the original countries that merged to become Switzerland in 1848. Before that, they had formed a loose confederation of independent countries. As Bern was at that time not only the largest of these countries but also the most powerful, the seat of the federal government was voted on to be in Bern. While everybody could agree as to where to place the government, they didn't want to honour Bern with the accolade of capital city. Switzerland is probably the only country in the world that has no capital. The constitution allocates the seat of government to Bern, but there is no mention of a capital ever.
In Bern, the Bundeshaus houses the parliament and the government of Switzerland, or as it officially styles itself, the Confoederatio Helvetica (hence the international short form of CH). There are two chambers of representatives, the national assembly Nationalrat and the assembly of cantons or states Ständerat. Together they form the general assembly Gesamtrat.
Switzerland hides its head of state from the public. National assembly and state assembly choose a president for each of the assemblies. The president of the national assembly becomes automatically head of state of Switzerland with the president of the state assembly as his replacement. Both are replaced every year by somebody else, usually one of the vice presidents.It is customary that the head of state keeps public appearances to a minimum.
Switzerland has no generals to lead its military. A general is only chosen in times of war, during peacetime there may be no general in Switzerland. The general assembly is convened when choosing a five star general of the forces. To make it really confusing, Switzerland has a general all the same. He is a four star general stationed on the border between the North and South Korea. As nobody understands the ranks in the Swiss army, this post was created to satisfy foreigners. The general in Korea is chosen by the Defense Minister and deputed into the Foreign Office. The Foreign Office then sends the chap as Attached Military Aid to the embassy in Seoul. Upon his arrival there he is promoted to Ambassador in the rank of a general four star. He is demoted again before returning home.
Switzerland has no Prime Minister and a fixed number of ministers. The general assembly is also convened when choosing the government Bundesrat. The government consists of seven ministers voted on in general assembly whereby the assembly has no restrictions. It can vote any Swiss national into the post of minister; if member of the assembly is chosen, acceptance of the post of minister means instant resignation from the assembly. Out of these seven ministers, the assembly then chooses a president of the ministers Bundespräsident. To the rest of the world, Switzerland pretends that the Bundespräsident is head of state because protocol would just go nuts otherwise.
Was this all confusing enough? I’ll give you one more. Switzerland has been run by a permanent coalition government for more than 100 years. The government ministers are chosen from all major parties represented in the two assemblies. The number is of ministers for each party is calculated on their voting percentage (roughly, 15 per cent give you one minister). It is called the magic formula Zauberformel. As only small parties are not part of the government there is no opposition in parliament. The official opposition is formed by the voters. But that oddity is for another time.
Further reading
Nonexistent Switzerland
Bern: Seat of The Swiss Federal Government
Iconic Design: Swiss Army Knife
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