The Policy Preparation Service ‒ part of the Division of External Affairs and Marketing for the Canton of Basel-Stadt ‒ is an internal administrative body which serves as the coordination and information interface between federal policy and cantonal matters. In particular, it is responsible for ensuring the timely, clear and comprehensible flow of information. This internal administrative groundwork is a service provided for the benefit of the specialist departments.

Another of the Policy Preparation Service's responsibilities is to ensure that politicians have visibility on cantonal affairs. Specifically, policy preparation at national level comprises the following elements: day-to-day groundwork (updating files, systematically monitoring and issuing internal administrative factsheets), committee work and maintaining networks (events, meetings).

Formation of political coalitions

The representation of interests and lobbying work are roles performed by members of the government and the Federal Parliament. The Canton of Basel-Stadt relies on strategic coalitions to ensure that its interests are represented.

Priority issues

The Policy Preparation Service concentrates on matters of federal policy which are of special importance for the canton. Those priority issues include aspects of finance, business, social welfare, health, security, spatial planning, transport, education, research and innovation.

The Conference of Cantonal Governments (CdC) promotes the cooperation between the cantons within its remit. It coordinates federal matters relevant to the cantons and makes sure that the information is available for the attention of the cantons.

The CdC forms the interface between the Confederation and the cantons in key state and foreign policy issues. This concerns in particular:

• the renewal and further development of federalism
• the division of tasks between the Confederation and the cantons
• the formation of will and preparation of decisions in the Confederation
• The execution of federal tasks by the cantons
• The foreign policy and the policy of integration

The Division of External Affairs and Marketing coordinates the preparation of the plenary sessions of the CdC within the canton. These sessions are held four times a year. The Canton of Basel-Stadt is represented by the President of the Government.

The ch Foundation is committed to the further development and strengthening of federalism in Switzerland. The Canton of Basel-Stadt is represented on the ch Foundation's Board of Trustees by the President of the Cantonal Government.

The Division of External Affairs and Marketing coordinates and records all of the consultation responses of the Canton of Basel-Stadt submitted to the SSV and prepares the participation of the President of the Government at the board meetings of the SSV and the Interest Group for Large Cities (IGGK).

There are two chambers of parliament in Switzerland: the National Council and the Council of States. The members of both chambers are elected by the people every four years. Together, the two chambers constitute the Federal Assembly. The members of the Federal Assembly in turn elect the members of the Federal Government – the seven members of the Federal Council – for a four-year term.

• The Council of States represents the cantons and has 46 members. As cantons entitled to a half-vote, Basel-Stadt and Basel-Landschaft are represented by one member each.
• The National Council has 200 members and represents the interests of the people. The number of seats is assigned according to the size of each canton’s population. The Canton of Basel-Stadt is represented in the National Council by four members.

The Executive Council of the Canton of Basel-Stadt, together with its partner canton Basel-Landschaft, invites federal employees to its "Networking event for both Basels" once a year. The supporting programme offers government representatives from both Basel cantons the opportunity to network with members of the federal administration, parliamentarians and management staff of the associated departments of the two Basel cantons.

If you have any questions about policy preparation, current federal business or the Conference of Cantonal Governments, please contact André Tschudin.

Nadine Gautschi will be happy to provide you with information on the Swiss Association of Cities and the networking events in both Basel.