The Council of the Swiss Abroad
The Council of the Swiss Abroad (CSA) represents the interests of Swiss citizens abroad vis-à-vis the authorities and the public in Switzerland. The CSA is thus often referred to as the “Parliament of the Fifth Switzerland”.
The Council of the Swiss Abroad meets thrice per year. At their meetings, the delegates discuss Swiss Abroad policy questions as well as current political topics concerning the Swiss Abroad. They make decisions and determine opinions and resolutions which are then submitted to the competent authorities.
Members & Seat allocation
The CSA consists of 140 delegates.
List of delegates
The 120 members abroad represent the Swiss Abroad in their respective country. Delegates may be supported by deputies. Deputies take the place of delegates and participate in meetings if delegates are unable to attend.
The domestic members are individuals from the political, economic and cultural fields with a special interest in the Fifth Switzerland.
Two CSA seats are reserved for young Swiss Abroad. They are currently occupied by members of the Youth Parliament of the Swiss Abroad (YPSA).
Seat allocation for the term of office 2021-2025
The seat allocation reflects the number of Swiss Abroad in each country and is periodically re-determined on the basis of the current Statistics on the Swiss Abroad of the Federal Department for Foreign Affairs.
| Continent | Country/Group of countries | Seats |
| Europe | France | 12 |
| Germany | 8 | |
| Italy | 6 | |
| Great Britain | 5 | |
| Spain | 4 | |
| Austria | 3 | |
| Netherlands | 2 | |
| Belgium | 2 | |
| Sweden | 2 | |
| Liechtenstein | 1 | |
| Greece | 1 | |
| Denmark | 1 | |
| Portugal | 1 | |
| Norway | 1 | |
| Turkey | 1 | |
| Hungary | 1 | |
| Finland | 1 | |
| Ireland | 1 | |
| Czech Republic | 1 | |
| Luxembourg | 1 | |
| Monaco | 1 | |
| Eastern Europe | 1 | |
| Balkans | 1 | |
| Russia | 1 | |
| America | USA | 8 |
| Canada | 5 | |
| Argentina | 3 | |
| Brazil | 3 | |
| Mexico | 2 | |
| Chile | 2 | |
| Peru | 1 | |
| Columbia | 1 | |
| Venezuela | 1 | |
| Dominican Republic | 1 | |
| Ecuador | 1 | |
| Costa Rica | 1 | |
| Paraguay | 1 | |
| Africa | South Africa | 2 |
| Egypt | 1 | |
| Tunisia | 1 | |
| Morocco | 1 | |
| Freely available | 3 | |
| Asia | Israel | 3 |
| Thailand | 2 | |
| China | 1 | |
| Philippines | 1 | |
| Singapore | 1 | |
| Japan | 1 | |
| United Arab Emirates | 1 | |
| South Asia | 2 | |
| Central Asia | 1 | |
| Middle East | 1 | |
| Freely available | 2 | |
| Oceania | Australia | 4 |
| New Zealand | 2 | |
| Switzerland | 20 |
Voting procedure
Members abroad: The umbrella organisation or Swiss clubs in this country determine the voting procedure. The Organisation of the Swiss Abroad is working to ensure that all Swiss Abroad are able to cast their vote for candidates of their choice (active voting right) or to offer themselves as candidates and for election (passive voting right).
Domestic members: They are recommended by the Executive Board and elected by the CSA.
Achievements
The Council of the Swiss Abroad can look back on numerous achievements. These include:
- The enshrining of the Swiss Abroad in the Federal Constitution (Art. 40 BV)
- The creation of a Swiss Abroad Act (SAA; SR 195.1)
- The introduction of the voting and electoral rights for Swiss abroad
- The continuance of the voluntary old-age and survivors’ insurance/invalidity insurance (OASI/DI)