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Government, ministers, president

The Swiss government consists of a cabinet (also known as the Federal Council) made up of seven ministers (federal councillors), each of whom heads a ministry. The members are elected by a joint session of parliament for a four-year term. Cabinet ministers take turns at being Swiss president for a period of one calendar year. The post is largely ceremonial, and the president retains his/her portfolio.

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SWI swissinfo.ch - a branch of Swiss Broadcasting Corporation SRG SSR