National Council (Switzerland)

National Council

French: Conseil national
German: Nationalrat
Italian: Consiglio nazionale
Romansh: Cussegl naziunal
52nd National Council
Type
Type
Leadership
Pierre-André Page, SVP/UDC
since 1 December 2025
First Vice President
Katja Christ, GLP/VLP
since 1 December 2025
Second Vice President
Farah Rumy, SP/PS
since 1 December 2025
Structure
Seats200
Political groups
  SVP/UDC (62)
  SP/PS (41)
  The Centre (29)
  FDP/PLR (28)
  GPS/PES (23)
  GLP/PVL (10)
  MCG (2)
  EVP/PEV (2)
  EDU/UDF (2)
  Ticino League (1)
Length of term
4 years
Elections
Party-list proportional representation
(Hagenbach-Bischoff system)
First election
1–27 October 1848
Last election
22 October 2023
Next election
October 2027
Meeting place
Federal Palace, Bern
Website
www.parlament.ch/en/organe/national-council

The National Council (German: Nationalrat; French: Conseil national; Italian: Consiglio nazionale; Romansh: Cussegl naziunal) is a house of the Federal Assembly of Switzerland, representing the people. The other house, the Council of States, represents the states. As the powers of the houses are the same, it is sometimes called perfect bicameralism. Both houses meet in the Federal Palace of Switzerland in Bern.

The National Council consists of 200 members. Adult citizens elect the council's members, who are called national Councillors, for four year terms. Members are apportioned to the cantons in proportion to their population.