SVP achieves historic election success in the canton of St. Gallen
Published: Sunday, Mar 3rd 2024, 20:20
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The SVP wins seven seats in the parliamentary elections in the canton of St. Gallen. It is thus extending its lead. The losers include the FDP (-3), the Greens (-3) and the SP (-1).
The SVP emerged victorious from the parliamentary elections in the canton of St. Gallen. Founded in 1992, the cantonal party achieved the best result in its history on Sunday, winning seven new seats. It increased its voter share from 26.9% (2020) to 31.5%.
The SVP has thus more than compensated for the losses it suffered four years ago in the "climate election". At that time, it lost five seats and ended up with 35 in the St. Gallen cantonal council.
With its seven additional cantonal council seats, the SVP now holds 42 of the 120 seats. This means that the party is in a position to initiate a council referendum (at least 40 seats) on its own. In addition, together with the FDP (19 seats), it forms a right-wing majority in the council.
The Greens lose parliamentary strength
The centrist party remains the second strongest force in the canton. It was able to retain its 27 seats and thus defend the seat gain it achieved four years ago.
The downward trend in voter share continued for the St. Gallen Free Democrats. The FDP lost three seats in the cantonal council, four years ago it lost four seats.
The SP and the Greens also suffered losses. While the Social Democrats will still have 18 cantonal council seats in future (-1), the Greens were hit harder. They lost three seats and are now represented by a total of six cantonal councillors. As a result, the party lost the parliamentary group strength it first gained four years ago. This requires seven seats.
GLP bucking the national trend
Contrary to the national trend, the Green Liberals were able to retain their six seats in the St. Gallen cantonal parliament compared to the 2020 elections. However, they were unable to win the hoped-for seventh seat. In the past four years, the GLP representatives have been politicking without being part of a parliamentary group.
The situation remained unchanged for the EPP. It was able to retain its two seats. In 2020, the party managed to return to the Cantonal Council and joined the Center Group.
For the next four years, the 120-member St. Gallen Cantonal Council will be made up as follows: SVP 42 (+7), Center 27 (-), FDP 19 (-3), SP 18 (-1), Greens 6 (-3), GLP 6 (-), EVP 2(-).
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