Swiss lawmakers reject expanding Federal Council after lively debate

A debate in Switzerland's National Council over expanding the Federal Council from seven to nine members took an unexpected turn. What began as a serious discussion soon turned light-hearted, with jokes and playful exchanges filling the chamber. In the end, lawmakers decided to keep the current system in place.

The proposal to increase the Federal Council's size was put forward by Greens/TI National Councillor Greta Gysin. She argued that a larger council would better represent Switzerland's language regions and distribute the workload more evenly. SP National Councillor Fabian Molina supported the idea, pointing to Zurich's nine-member government as an example of success.

Opponents quickly pushed back. SVP National Councillor Benjamin Fischer noted that Zurich's system works because of its elected Presidium—a structure that doesn't exist at the federal level. Mauro Tuena, another SVP member, jokingly asked Gysin if she could confirm that Zurich's seven-member council (not nine) was actually the reason for its success. The chamber erupted in laughter when Gysin quipped that the council members seemed unusually interested in Zurich's affairs.

Critics also warned that a nine-member Federal Council would create unnecessary bureaucracy and drive up costs. They insisted the current seven-member setup ensures stability and efficiency. When the vote was called, the proposal was rejected decisively, with 114 lawmakers opposing it and 77 in favour.

The debate ended without any changes to the Federal Council's structure. The seven-member body remains unchanged, and the National Council's decision reinforces the status quo. For now, Switzerland's executive branch will continue operating as it has for years.