Wie der Bundesrat die Schweiz regiert und weshalb es trotzdem funktioniert

There is no country in Europe governed quite like Switzerland. A cabinet known as the Federal Council, consisting of only seven members who are legally equal to one another. A Federal President whose responsibilities are essentially limited to leading the Federal Council meetings and representing the country. A government that can interchange ministries – which in Switzerland are called departments – at any time. Members of the national government are elected for four years. No one can dismiss them; it is expected that they will sense when it is time to step down. Occasionally, more leadership is demanded from the Federal Council, but woe to them if they actually lead. "Coordinating is the maximum amount of leadership that is allowed for our government," said Federal Chancellor Walter Thurnherr while he was still in office. He now describes how this government functions and why Switzerland has politically fared quite well with it.