preparing new laws and submitting them to Parliament;
implementing the laws passed by Parliament. To this end, it issues ordinances, which elaborate on the legal provisions. That is why the federal government is also called the ‹executive power›;
leading the Federal Administration with its seven departments. Each member of the Federal Council heads a department;
representing Switzerland abroad; and
planning for the long term. It lays down guidelines and sets targets, and monitors whether the tasks have been fulfilled and the goals achieved. The Federal Council also plans and reviews the federal finances that are approved by Parliament.
Federal Council meetings – The role of the Federal Chancellery (web page available in German, French and Italian)
The Federal Council in the Lexicon of parliamentary terms