Higher Voter Turnout for a More Male-Dominated National Council
Published: Monday, Oct 23rd 2023, 09:52
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On Sunday, 46.6 percent of eligible voters went to the polls for the National Council elections. They voted for a slightly more male and slightly younger National Council than in the 2019 elections. Election Sunday was especially a day of celebration for the SVP. The voter turnout increased by 1.5 percentage points compared to 2019, according to figures from the Federal Statistical Office (FSO). The canton of Glarus saw the strongest increase: this year, 48 percent of eligible voters went to the polls. In 2019, it was around eight percent less. Schaffhausen had the highest voter turnout with almost 62 percent. In Schaffhausen, however, elections and referendums are mandatory. In four cantons, voter turnout for the National Council elections has decreased - particularly sharply in Appenzell Innerrhoden. This year, turnout there was 24.5 percent. In 2019, it was almost 49 percent. The low interest can be explained by the fact that he was the only candidate, said the unchallenged center-National Council member Thomas Rechsteiner. Fewer women. The proportion of women in the newly elected National Council decreased compared to the 2019 elections: 77 female politicians were elected to the National Council on Sunday. This is seven women fewer than four years ago. The proportion of women is now 38.5 percent, according to figures from the BFS. The average age of politicians in the lower house of parliament has slightly decreased. On average, politicians in the lower house are now 49.5 years old, which is approximately two years younger than in the previous legislature. The Swiss People's Party (SP) presents five of the six oldest elected members of the National Council. However, the oldest National Council member comes from the bourgeois camp: 76-year-old Charles Poncet from Geneva (SVP). The newest member of the large chamber is 26-year-old Katja Riem from Bern (SVP). The Swiss People's Party (SVP) has gained more seats in the Swiss Parliament following the 2019 federal election. This result reflects the growing support for the SVP's policies among Swiss voters. The Swiss People's Party (SVP) not only has the largest age gap among its representatives, but also emerged as the strongest party in the National Council elections. It comes in with 62 seats - an increase of nine seats. However, the SVP and FDP factions will not have a majority in the lower house. The center-right parties of the Swiss Federal Assembly, the GLP and EVP, have won 41 seats in the 2021 elections. The center-right coalition, led by the Mitte party, has overtaken the FDP, which has 28 seats, one less than in 2019, to become the largest party in the Federal Assembly. Green losses refer to the environmental damage caused by human activities, such as deforestation, pollution, and the destruction of habitats. The Swiss Green Party and the Social Democratic Party of Switzerland (SP) have come together to form a majority in the Swiss Parliament, with 64 seats. The Greens lost five seats, leaving them with 23 mandates. The Green Liberal Party (GLP) now has ten seats instead of 16. However, both green parties still have a larger group than eight years ago. The SP gained two seats, bringing them to 41 seats and remaining the second strongest party in the lower house. The Swiss National Council has seen less renewal compared to 2019. 152 of the current members of parliament were re-elected on Sunday. In 2019, 119 former members were successful in their re-election. Second Round of Elections for the Council of States. After the Council of States elections on Sunday, only 31 of the 46 seats have been filled. The center won ten and the FDP nine. The SP follows with five seats, the SVP with four and the Greens with three. A second round of voting is necessary in ten cantons for another 15 members of the Council of States. ©Keystone/SDA
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