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Published on 1 March 2024

Political system

Switzerland is governed under a federal system at three levels: the Confederation, the cantons and the communes. Thanks to direct democracy, citizens can have their say directly on decisions at all political levels. Participation and freedom of action are crucial for a country as geographically, culturally and linguistically varied as Switzerland. Bern is the de facto capital city of Switzerland, though officially it is referred to only as the ‹federal city›.