Standing Orders of the National Council (SO-NC)
English is not an official language of the Swiss Confederation. This translation is provided for information purposes only and has no legal force.
Art. 1 Constitutive sitting
1 Following the general election, the newly-elected Council shall convene to hold its constitutive sitting on the day determined by law. 2 At this meeting, the Council: a. hears speeches by the Oldest Member and by the youngest designated member of the Council elected for the first time; b. establishes the constitution of the Council; c. swears in the members of the Council present whose election was uncontested or declared valid; d. establishes possible incompatibilities; e. elects the President; f. elects the First Vice-President; g. elects the Second Vice-President; h. conducts a summary election of the Tellers; i. conducts a summary election of the Deputy Tellers.
Art. 2 Oldest member
1 The Oldest Member is the council member who has served the longest uninterrupted term. If two or more members of the Council have served the same term, the older member shall take precedence. 2 The Council Office for the previous legislative period shall designate the Oldest Member based on the report of the Federal Council on the results of the National Council elections. 3 If the Oldest Member is unable to assume office, the office shall be assumed by the council member next in line in accordance with paragraph 1 of this Article.
Art. 3 Tasks of the Oldest Member
1 The Oldest Member: a. designates the eight other members of the Provisional Office in accordance with Article 43, paragraph 3 ParlA; b. chairs the Provisional Office; c. chairs the Council until the new President is elected. 2 The other tasks of President are carried out by the President of the previous legislative period until the new President is elected.
Art. 4 Tasks of the Provisional Office
1 The Provisional Office shall: a. verify whether the elections of the majority of council members have remained uncontested or have been declared valid, and if so, propose that the Council declare that it is constituted; b. verify whether any of the newly elected members of the council are subject to the incompatibility provisions of Article 14 letters b-f ParlA, and, if applicable, propose a declaration of incompatibility; c. ascertain the results of the votes and elections in the Council, until the new Office is elected. 2 The other tasks of the Office are carried out by the outgoing Office of the previous legislative period until the new Office is elected.
Art. 5 Swearing-in
1 All persons present in the chamber shall rise for the swearing-in. 2 The President shall request the Secretary-General to read out the solemn promise or oath. 3 Persons swearing the oath raise shall three fingers of their right hand and say the words «I swear»; persons making the solemn promise say the words «I solemnly promise».