Each council member usually runs a department (such as the department of finance, department of health, department of education, etc.), just as at federal level.

The cantonal government’s main task is to manage cantonal affairs. It plans and implements cantonal projects and activities, while coordinating these with the activities of the Confederation and the communes.

It is also responsible for implementing cantonal and federal legislation and runs the cantonal administration by exercising the powers it is assigned by the Federal Constitution.

The cantonal government is also responsible for preparing and managing the canton’s budget.

The members of the cantonal government hold regular scheduled meetings, usually behind closed doors. During these meetings, they reach decisions as a collegial body on the administration of the canton. All members of the cantonal government must defend the position of the collegial body, regardless of their personal opinion.

Cantonal governments usually have a different president each year - the position rotating according to the length of time the government members have been in office. The president does not enjoy any special privileges or status, apart from chairing cantonal government meetings.