Legislature Versus Executive Authority

A Question of Power in the Swiss Foreign Policy Debate

Abstract

This article addresses the question of how the Swiss parliament reacts to the internationalization of politics and the subsequent increase in the importance of foreign policy. In its first part, the article analyzes the division of power between the legislature and the executive in the field of foreign policy. The second part focuses on the practical relevance of these findings in a parliamentary debate. The study indicates that the power of both authorities is not clearly defined – neither in the constitution nor in the respective laws. Rather, the legal documents provide evidence of cooperative powers. The analysis of the parliamentary debate on whether or not to join the European Economic Area (EEA) reveals that parliament strives to gain more influence. However, even though various concerns about a power shift due to accession were raised, it was not a key argument against joining the EEA.