Swiss law does not establish the precise conditions when a General is to be elected, merely that the Federal Assembly may do so "as soon as an important number of troops are to be mobilised." The Federal Assembly retains the sole power to dismiss the General, but the General remains subordinate to the Federal Council by the Council's ability to demobilise the armed forces. The General is, however, permitted to adapt the internal structure of the Armed Forces in response to the strategic imperatives.