Swiss Federal Council

The Swiss Federal Council is the seven-member executive body serving as Switzerland's head of state and government simultaneously. Established under the 1848 Federal Constitution, it operates by consensus: all seven members, drawn from the four largest parliamentary parties, hold equal rank. The presidency rotates annually and carries no additional authority. Switzerland belongs to neither the European Union nor NATO, a status underpinning its internationally recognised neutrality.

The Council moved decisively in early 2026, halting all new arms export licences to the United States and closing Swiss airspace to US military flights connected to the Iran conflict. No licences have been issued since 28 February . Both measures were framed as applications of the neutrality doctrine rather than political opposition to Washington.

The decisions put neutrality under acute strain. Switzerland exports precision components used in Western defence supply chains, and the licence freeze exposes it to US economic pressure. Departing from neutrality even partially would undermine Geneva's role as host to the ICRC and dozens of international bodies. The Council must hold that line without fracturing trade ties or surrendering its position as a global Mediation venue.