Switzerland: Political parties at a glance

Parties in comparison

Liberal

Socialist

Capitalist

Conservative

SVP SP FDP G GLP EVP

Explanation of the chart

The graph shows the economic orientation of the parties on the X-axis from left to right. The further left, the more actively the state should intervene via taxes, regulations and redistribution. The further to the right, the less the state should intervene.

On the Y-axis from top to bottom, the parties are categorized according to their life models. The further up a party, the more it prioritizes liberal lifestyles over traditional views and material goods. The further down, the more a party aligns itself with traditional lifestyles and sees the state as the moral authority for living together.

Data was collected through the 2019 Chapel Hill Expert Survey by more than 400 policy experts. Party positions may change over time. Therefore, the chart serves only as an overview and cannot make statements about specific political topics.

Ryan Bakker, Liesbet Hooghe, Seth Jolly, Gary Marks, Jonathan Polk, Jan Rovny, Marco Steenbergen, and Milada Anna Vachudova. 2020. “2019 Chapel Hill Expert Survey.” - University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill.

SVP/UDC

Swiss People's Party

Right-wing

EU Parliament

27.9

Election Trend

SVP/UDC (Schweizerische Volkspartei / Union démocratique du centre) is a right-wing party and currently represented in parliament with 62 MPs.

The SVP advocates conservative and nationalist values. It emphasizes the importance of national sovereignty, preserving Swiss culture, and limiting immigration.

SP/PS

Social Democratic Party

Centre-left

EU Parliament

18.3

Election Trend

SP/PS (Sozialdemokratische Partei der Schweiz / Parti socialiste suisse) is a center-left party that is currently represented in the parliament with 41 MPs.

The SP advocates social democratic values and is dedicated to social justice, equality, and environmental protection.

DM/LC

The Center

Centre-right

EU Parliament

14.1

Election Trend

DM/LC (Die Mitte / Le Centre) is a center-right party that is currently represented in parliament with 29 seats.

DM advocates Christian conservative values and is dedicated to promoting family, community, and social justice.

FDP/PLR

FDP. The liberals

Liberal politics

EU Parliament

14.3

Election Trend

FDP/PLR (FDP. Die Liberalen / PLR. Les Libéraux-Radicaux) is a liberal party that is currently represented in parliament with 28 seats.

FDP advocates liberal values, including individual freedom, free-market economics, and the rule of law. It emphasizes the importance of personal responsibility and entrepreneurship.

G/LV

Green Party

Environment & Climate

EU Parliament

9.8

Election Trend

G/LV (GRÜNE Schweiz / les VERTES) is a green party and currently represented in parliament with 23 MPs.

The Greens advocate for progressive values, including environmental protection, social justice, and an open society. They promote sustainability and equality.

GLP/PVL

Green Liberal Party

Liberal politics

EU Parliament

7.6

Election Trend

GLP/PVL (Grünliberale Partei Schweiz / Parti vert’libéral Suisse) is a liberal party that is currently represented in the parliament with 10 MPs.

GLP advocates liberal and ecological values. It emphasizes environmental protection, sustainability, and the protection of individual freedoms. At the same time, it promotes a social market economy.

EDU/UDF

Federal Democratic Union / Union Démocratique Fédérale

Right-wing

EU Parliament

1.2

Election Trend

EDU/UDF (Eidgenössisch-Demokratische Union) is a right-wing party that is currently represented in the parliament with 2 MPs.

EDU represents conservative and evangelical values such as strengthening the traditional family, protecting the unborn life, and emphasizing Christian principles in politics.

EVP/PEV

Evangelical People's Party

Center

EU Parliament

2.0

Election Trend

EVP/PEV (Evangelische Volkspartei der Schweiz / Parti évangelique suisse) is a text.party-info-orientation-center that is currently represented in parliament with 2 seats.

EVP represents Christian values such as charity, solidarity, and responsibility. It advocates for social justice, environmental protection, and the sanctity of life.

MCG

Geneva Citizens' Movement

Right-wing

EU Parliament

0.5

Election Trend

MCG (Mouvement citoyens genevois) is a right-wing party and currently represented in parliament with 2 MPs.

LEGA

League of the Tessins

Right-wing

EU Parliament

0.6

Election Trend

LEGA (Lega der Tessiner / Ligue des Tessinois) is a right-wing party and currently represented in parliament with 1 MPs.