The Federal Assembly is made up of two chambers, the National Council representing the people, and the Council of States, representing the cantons. The make-up of the Assembly reflects the desire to balance the interests of the cantons, to ensure that smaller ones are not dominated by larger ones. The 200 seats in the National Council are distributed between the cantons in proportion to the size of their population, while the Council of States has two members for each canton, and one for each half canton, making a total of 46. However, the two chambers are of equal weight.

The role of the two chambers include approving every federal law and supervising the government. Any member can also propose a new law or decree. He or she can also put questions to the Federal Council about any matter concerning state affairs.

Lastly, the two chambers come together to elect the the President of the Confederation and Vice-President of the Federal Council for the following year, as well as the heads of other state bodies.

The National Council is dominated by the four parties which make up the government, but examination of voting patterns within parliament show that on specific issues members follow their personal convictions rather than a party line. Elections to the Council take place every four years.

In both chambers the post of speaker rotates annually. The speaker of the National Council is the highest ranking person in the country, rather than the president.