The Nationalrat of Switzerland is the lower house of the Swiss Federal Assembly, which holds legislative power in the country. Synonyms for the Nationalrat include the Swiss National Council, the Federal Council, the Federal Assembly, and the Swiss Parliament. The Nationalrat is directly elected by the Swiss people and represents the 26 cantons of Switzerland, with each canton having a fixed number of seats based on its population. The Nationalrat is responsible for passing federal laws, approving the budget, and electing members of the Federal Council, the executive branch of the Swiss government. Its important role in Swiss governance has made the Nationalrat a well-known and respected institution throughout the country.