Council of States
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Council of States
In Switzerland, the smaller of the two chambers of parliament (the Federal Assembly), which represents the cantons. Each canton sends one or two members depending on its size.
Der Ständerat muss dem vom Nationalrat verabschiedeten Gesetz noch zustimmen.
The Council of States still has to approve the law passed by the National Council.
The term is made up of 'Stände' (here as a historical term for the cantons) and 'Rat' (council, assembly, body). So it is the 'council of the cantons'.
Der Ständerat vertritt die Interessen der einzelnen Kantone.
The Council of States represents the interests of the individual cantons.
This word is a Helvetism. It refers to a specific political institution in Switzerland and is not used outside this context.
Für eine Gesetzesänderung braucht es die Zustimmung von Nationalrat und Ständerat.
A change in the law requires the approval of the National Council and the Council of States.
'Der Ständerat' refers to the entire parliamentary chamber. An individual male person in this chamber is called 'ein Ständerat' (a member of the Council of States). Pay attention to the article to recognize the meaning.
Der Ständerat hat heute eine wichtige Entscheidung getroffen.
The Council of States made an important decision today.
senate
'der Senat' and 'der Ständerat' can both refer to a chamber in a parliament. The difference is mainly the political context. 'Senat' is a more general name for an upper or first chamber of parliament, for example in the USA or France. 'Ständerat' is specifically the smaller chamber of the Swiss parliament and represents the cantons. The words can be confused because both fit a bicameral system. When it is about Switzerland, 'Ständerat' is the precise term.
In der Schweiz vertritt der Ständerat die Kantone.
In Switzerland, the Council of States represents the cantons.
Nach der Wahl hat der Senat über das neue Gesetz beraten.
After the election, the Senate discussed the new law.