List of cantonal legislatures of Switzerland

This is a list of cantonal legislatures of Switzerland. Each canton of Switzerland has a democratically-elected cantonal legislature, as well as electing members to the Federal Assembly.

The largest legislatures, in Zürich and St. Gallen, have 180 members each, whilst the smallest, in less-populous Appenzell Innerrhoden, has only 49 members. Appenzell Innerrhoden is also the only legislature that is non-partisan. All other legislatures operate party political systems. The Swiss People's Party (SVP) are the largest party in ten legislatures, whilst FDP.The Liberals and the Christian Democratic People's Party (CVP) are the largest in seven each and the Social Democratic Party (SP) are the largest in one legislature.

Two cantons, Appenzell Innerrhoden and Glarus, hold Landsgemeinden as their highest legislative body. Under this system, a form of direct democracy, all adult citizens may attend an annual general assembly, where they may vote on laws. A permanent legislature also sits more frequently, but sovereignty resides with the Landsgemeinden. For the purpose of this article, the permanent legislature is considered the cantonal legislature.

Canton Legislature Members Largest party Last election Next election
AG Aargau Grand Council 140 SVP (45 seats) 8 March 2009 2013
AR Appenzell Ausserrhoden Cantonal Council 65 FDP (25) 3 April 2011 2015
AI Appenzell Innerrhoden Grand Council[Note 1] 49 Non-partisan 2007
BS Basel-Stadt Grand Council 130 SP (32) 14 September 2008 2012
BL Basel-Landschaft Landrat 90 SVP (24) 27 March 2011 2015
BE Bern Grand Council 160 SVP (44) 28 March 2010 2014
FR Fribourg Grand Council 130 CVP (37) 5 November 2006 4 December 2011
GE Geneva Grand Council 100 FDP (31) 11 October 2009 2013
GL Glarus Landrat[Note 1] 80 SVP (17) 30 May 2010 2014
GR Graubünden Grand Council 120 FDP (38) 13 June 2010 2014
JU Jura Parliament 60 CVP (19) 24 October 2010 2014
LU Lucerne Grand Council 120 CVP (39) 10 April 2011 2015
NE Neuchâtel Grand Council 115 FDP (41) 5 April 2009 2013
NW Nidwalden Landrat 60 SVP (19) 7 March 2010 2015
OW Obwalden Cantonal Council 55 CVP (23) 7 March 2010 2014
SH Schaffhausen Cantonal Council 60 SVP (16) 28 September 2008 2012
SZ Schwyz Cantonal Council 100 SVP (41) 16 March 2008 2012
SO Solothurn Cantonal Council 100 FDP (27) 7 March 2009 2013
SG St. Gallen Cantonal Council 180 SVP (42) 16 March 2008 2012
TG Thurgau Grand Council 130 SVP (51) 6 April 2008 2012
TI Ticino Grand Council 90 FDP (23) 10 April 2011 2015
UR Uri Landrat 64 CVP (24) 6 April 2008 2012
VS Valais Grand Council 130 CVP (54) 1 March 2009 2013
VD Vaud Grand Council 150 FDP (48)[Note 2] 11 March 2007 2012
ZG Zug Cantonal Council 80 CVP (23) 3 October 2010 2014
ZH Zürich Cantonal Council 180 SVP (54) 3 April 2011 2015

Notes

  1. ^ a b The ultimate legislative body is the annual Landsgemeinde.
  2. ^ FDP.The Liberals has two local chapters: one for each of its predecessor parties. The Free Democrats have 29 seats and the Liberals have 19 seats. If counted separately, the Social Democrats are the largest party, with 38 seats.

See also

References