Switzerland : The seven-headed president

**Voland** · 09-22-2010

Switzerland has without doubt one of the most stable political systems in Europe, although it has to balance out differences between three main groups separated not only by mountains but also by language barriers ( German, French, Italian).
The complexities of the swiss system except for its reliance on direct democracy, meaning the citizens have to be asked directly about pretty much everything, are pretty much incomprehensible even for its european neighbours though. Right now the country is in election fever again for two seats on the federal council, that acts as a collective head of state. It has to include members from all linguistic groups of the country that govern Switzerland collectively, as a seven headed president so to say. Another point that surprises foreigners is that Switzerland has no parliamentary opposition, since all parties are comitted to compomise and consensus through the constitution.........

The Seven-Headed President: Switzerland Celebrates Europe's Strangest System of Government - SPIEGEL ONLINE - News - International

**CowboyTed** · 09-22-2010

Very interesting Voland...

Ireland might be the closest to them with also a pretty restrictive Constitution and a Proportional Rep. Single vote transfer system. But there is good ideas there for us to go even further...

There stability seems to come from there length in office as one of these 7 and not having to look for reelection... This seems to have done away with a lot of bickering of winning elections. I find PR single transfer does help in that as running to your base will make sure your unelectable. Rulling from the middle is important.

**Thanatos** · 10-13-2010

Switzerland has it all. Proportionality. A bottom-up system where the true power lies with the kantons. Direct democracy.

A true multicultural society.