Swiss Labour Party

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Poster for the 2006 elections to the Grand Council of Bern.

The Swiss Party of Labour (German: Partei der Arbeit der Schweiz; French: Parti Suisse du Travail - Parti Ouvrier et Populaire; Italian: Partito Svizzero del Lavoro; Romansh: Partida svizra da la lavur) is a socialist party in Switzerland.

The party was founded in 1944 by the illegal Communist Party of Switzerland. On May 21 the constituent conference of the Basel Federation of the party was held. On October 14-15 the same year the first Party Congress of the party was held in Zürich. Léon Nicole was elected president and Karl Hofmaier General Secretary.

On October 6-7 1945 the Second Congress was held in Geneva. By this time the party has 20 000 members. On November 30-December 1 the 3rd Congress in Zürich.

On July 27 a Swiss Party Conference was held in Bern. Karl Hofmaier was removed from his position due to a financial scandal.

In the national elections of 1947 the party receives 5,1% of votes.

On July 4-6 1949 the 4th Congress was held. Steps to strengthen the organization as a Cadre Party are taken. Edgar Woog elected General Secretary.

In 1950 the party works intensively for the Stockholm Peace Appeal. 260 000 signatures are collected in Switzerland.

On May 31-June 2 1952 the 5th Congress is held in Geneva. On December 7 the Central Committee expels Léon Nicole from the party.

On May 28-30 6th Congress in Geneva.

On May 16-18 1959 7th Congress in Geneva. A new party programme approved with the concept of antimonopolistic unity, "Swiss Road to Socialism" (inspired by similar programme of the Communist Party of Great Britain).

On May 16-18 1964 8th Congress in Geneva.

It is associated with the European United Left - Nordic Green Left group in the European Parliament, although Switzerland is not in the EU.

In 2003, it hold 2 mandates (out of 200) in the Swiss National Council (first chamber of the Swiss parliament). It was neither represented in the second chamber nor in the Swiss Federal Council (executive body). By 2005, it hold 0,8% of the seats in the Swiss Cantonal parliaments, but was not represented in any of the 26 Cantonal governments (index "BADAC", weighted with the population and number of seats).