Under this informal arrangement, the four largest political parties, which generally receive 70-75 percent of the popular vote in federal parliamentary elections held every four years, fill the seven positions on the Federal Council. In addition, it is understood that there will always be at least two Federal Councilors from French-speaking cantons. As part of an effort to revise the Federal Constitution, Parliament is currently debating whether to abolish the constitutional clause stipulating that no canton may have more than one representative on the Federal council. The coalition's ideological diversity has brought long-term political and social peace. Proposed revisions to the Swiss constitution are currently being considered which could result in a strengthening of the president's powers.
Any constitutional revision is subject to a referendum before coming into force.
Treaties, agreements, and legislation approved by the Parliament are subject to challenge by popular vote in Switzerland's unique system of initiative and referendum. These votes allow unusually intense popular involvement in the legislative process and keep the federal government under scrutiny.