Berne

The city of Berne {{IPA|}} (Bernese German Bärn {{IPA|}}, German Bern {{IPA|}}, French Berne {{IPA|}}, Italian Berna {{IPA|}}, Romansh Berna {{IPA|}}), is the "Bundesstadt" (administrative capital) of Switzerland, and is the fourth most populous Swiss city (after Zürich, Geneva and Basel).

Politics

Bern is governed by a 80-member legislative council (Stadtrat) and a 5-member executive council (Gemeinderat).

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As of 2005, the representatives of the Social Democratic Party and of the three Green factions hold a majority in both councils (3 to 2 and 43 to 37, respectively). For this reason, it is they, collectively referred to as "Red-Green-Center" (Rot-Grün-Mitte), who mostly determine City policy, although no formal coalition agreement exists and, under the system of direct democracy that prevails in Switzerland, most important issues are settled by general referendum. The other major political parties of Bern are the Free Democratic Party (FDP, free-market liberal) and the Swiss People's Party (SVP, conservative).

Related Topics:
2005 - Social Democratic Party - Green - Direct democracy - Referendum - Political parties - Free Democratic Party - Swiss People's Party

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The office of mayor (Stadtpräsident), as a primus inter pares in the executive council, is mostly representative. As of 2005, the mayor of Bern is Alexander Tschäppät of the Social Democrats.

Related Topics:
2005 - Mayor - Alexander Tschäppät - Social Democrats

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