The Parliamentary Control of the Administration

The Parliamentary Control of the Administration (PCA) is the evaluation service of the Federal Assembly. It conducts studies on behalf of the Control Committees (CC) on the legality, expediency and effectiveness of the activities of the federal authorities. When commissioned to do so, the PCA can also scrutinise the effectiveness of federal government measures on behalf of other parliamentary committees.

Recently finished evaluations

Communication by the authorities in the run-up to popular votes

Communication by the authorities in the run-up to popular votes is partially appropriate. The Federal Council's explanatory voting brochure is widely used by the population. The Federal Chancellery's instructions for drafting the explanatory texts in the brochure are adequate, but the departments make little use of them. The latter have heterogeneous notions and practices on how to communicate prior to popular votes. Nevertheless, the legal principles are observed, with a few exceptions.​

Summary (PDF)


MEASURING EFFECTIVENESS IN INTERNATIONAL COOPERATION

Generally speaking, the way evaluations are used for measuring the effectiveness of international cooperation (IC) is not entirely expedient. Evaluations in IC are used to guide decision-making at various levels; the costs of conducting them are made transparent. However, there are shortcomings in the evaluation reports and in accounting for the results of IC to Parliament and the public.​

Summary (PDF)

Short-time working during the COVID-19 pandemic

Short-time working proved to be an expedient instrument during the COVID-19 pandemic, but the many changes made to the legislation caused problems as time went on. Overall, SECO provided the implementing bodies with an adequate level of su​pport. However, it will probably be unable to reliably establish how much of the over CHF 16 billion paid out to businesses was claimed lawfully.​

Summary (PDF)

USE OF SCIENTIFIC FINDINGS BY THE FOPH DURING THE CORONAVIRUS PANDEMIC

The majority of administrative commissions are appointed expediently and in accordance with the legal provisions. With the exception of a few outdated ones, the commissions fulfil their mandate of holding regular consultations with the Federal Council and Federal Administration. However, some of their services are poorly used because of shortcomings in appointment orders.

Summary (PDF)

Measuring effectiveness in international cooperation

Generally speaking, the way evaluations are used for measuring the effectiveness of international cooperation (IC) is not entirely expedient. Evaluations in IC are used to guide decision-making at various levels; the costs of conducting them are made transparent. However, there are shortcomings in the evaluation reports and in accounting for the results of IC to Parliament and the public.​

Summary (PDF)

USE OF SCIENTIFIC FINDINGS BY THE FOPH DURING THE CORONAVIRUS PANDEMIC

The majority of administrative commissions are appointed expediently and in accordance with the legal provisions. With the exception of a few outdated ones, the commissions fulfil their mandate of holding regular consultations with the Federal Council and Federal Administration. However, some of their services are poorly used because of shortcomings in appointment orders.

Summary (PDF)

Ongoing Evaluations

Information on ongoing evaluations can be found in the summary of the annual report​.

  • System of supplementary judges
  • Allocation of asylum seekers to the cantons
  • Military service with restrictions

Contact

FunctionNameTelephone / e-mail
Address Parliamentary Control of the Administration (PCA)
Parliamentary Services
CH-3003 Berne
EnquiriesT +41 58 322 97 99
pvk.cpa@parl.admin.ch
Head of PCASimone Ledermann, Dr. admin. publ.T +41 58 322 95 31
Dep. Head of PCAFelix Strebel, Dr. phil.T +41 58 322 94 45
Project manager /
Evaluator
Marion Baud-Lavigne, MA in Public Management and Policy
T +41 58 322 90 46
Project manager /
Evaluator
​Luzia Helfer
Dr.
​T +41 58 322 91 50
Project manager /
Evaluator
Ueli Löffel, MSc in Economics 
T +41 58 322 90 45
Project manager /
Evaluator
Nicolas Keuffer, Dr. admin. publ.T +41 58 322 94 82
Case Officer​
Daniel Salamanca,
MSc in Economics 
T +41 58 322 90 43
​​Graduate internDamaris Hohler, Master of Arts in Political, Legal, and Economic Philosophy ​​T +41 58 322 93 64

​​Graduate intern
​Loris Lehmann, MA in Public Management and Policy 
​T +41 58 322 90 76​