4. The Federal Council is presided over by the President of the Confederation. There is also a Vice-President. The President of the Confederation and the Vice-President shall be chosen, for the term of one year, by the Federal Assembly from among the members of the Council. The retiring President is not eligible either as President or Vice-President for the year ensuing. The same member may not hold the office of Vice-President for two consecutive years. 5. The President of the Confederation, and the other members of the Federal Council, shall receive an annual salary from the federal treasury. 6. A quorum of the Federal Council consists of four members. 7. The members of the Federal Council have the right to take part in the discussions, but not to vote in either House of the Federal Assembly; and also the right to make motions on any matter under consideration. 8. The powers and the duties of the Federal Council, within the limits of this constitution, are particularly the following: It directs federal affairs conformably to the laws and resolutions of the Confederation: it shall care that the constitution, federal laws and ordinances, and also the provisions of the federal concordats be observed: it shall take the necessary measures for their execution either on its own initiative or upon complaint, so far as the decision of such affairs has not been vested in the Federal Tribunal. It takes care that the guarantee of the cantonal constitutions is enforced. It proposes bills and resolutions to the Federal Assembly, and gives its opinions upon the propositions sent to it by the Federal Assembly or the Cantons. It executes the federal laws and decrees, the judgments of the Federal Tribunal, as well as the compromises or decisions in arbitration on questions of dispute among the Cantons. It makes such appointments as are not intrusted to the Federal Assembly, Federal Tribunal, or other authority. It examines the treaties made by the Cantons with one another, or with foreign countries, and approves them, if proper. It watches over the external interests of the Confederation, especially in all international relations, and shall, in general, have charge of foreign affairs. It protects the external safety, and the independence and neutrality of Switzerland. It protects the internal safety of the Confederation, and the maintenance of its peace and order. In cases of urgency, and when the Federal Assembly is not in session, the Federal Council shall have authority to raise the necessary troops and employ them, with the reservation that it shall immediately call the Federal Assembly together, if the number of men called out shall exceed two thousand, or if they remain in arms more than three weeks. It has charge of the federal army affairs and all other branches of administration which belong to the Confederation. It examines those laws and ordinances of the Cantons which must be submitted for its approval; it exercises supervision over those