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 Zurich 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) | 21 October 2012 | 2015 | |
 |
AR | Appenzell Ausserrhoden | Cantonal Council | 65 | FDP (25) | 3 April 2011 | 2015 | |
 |
AI | Appenzell Innerrhoden | Grand Council[Note 1] | 49 | Non-partisan | 2011 | ||
 |
BS | Basel-Stadt | Grand Council | 100 | SP (33) | 28 October 2012 | 2016 | |
 |
BL | Basel-Landschaft | Landrat | 90 | SVP (24) | 27 March 2011 | 2015 | |
 |
BE | Bern | Grand Council | 160 | SVP (49) | 30 March 2014 | 2018 | |
 |
FR | Fribourg | Grand Council | 110 | CVP (31) | 4 December 2011 | 2016 | |
 |
GE | Geneva | Grand Council | 100 | FDP (24) | 6 October 2013 | 2017 | |
 |
GL | Glarus | Landrat[Note 1] | 80 | SVP (17) | 30 November 2014 | 2018 | |
 |
GR | Graubünden | Grand Council | 120 | FDP (35) | 18 May 2014 | 2018 | |
 |
JU | Jura | Parliament | 60 | CVP (19) | 24 October 2010 | 18 October 2015 | |
 |
LU | Lucerne | Cantonal Council | 120 | CVP (39) | 10 April 2011 | 2015 | |
 |
NE | Neuchâtel | Grand Council | 115 | FDP (35) | 14 April 2013 | 2017 | |
 |
NW | Nidwalden | Landrat | 60 | SVP (19) | 7 March 2010 | 2015 | |
 |
OW | Obwalden | Cantonal Council | 55 | CVP (19) | 9 March 2014 | 2018 | |
 |
SH | Schaffhausen | Cantonal Council | 60 | SVP (16) | 23 September 2012 | 2016 | |
 |
SZ | Schwyz | Cantonal Council | 100 | SVP (35) | 11 March 2012 | 2016 | |
 |
SO | Solothurn | Cantonal Council | 100 | FDP (26) | 3 March 2013 | 2017 | |
 |
SG | St. Gallen | Cantonal Council | 180 | SVP (35) | 11 March 2012 | 2016 | |
 |
TG | Thurgau | Grand Council | 130 | SVP (41) | 15 April 2012 | 2016 | |
 |
TI | Ticino | Grand Council | 90 | FDP (23) | 10 April 2011 | 2015 | |
 |
UR | Uri | Landrat | 64 | CVP (23) | 15 April 2012 | 2016 | |
 |
VS | Valais | Grand Council | 130 | CVP (49) | 3 March 2013 | 2017 | |
 |
VD | Vaud | Grand Council | 150 | FDP (47) | 11 March 2012 | 2017 | |
 |
ZG | Zug | Cantonal Council | 80 | CVP (22) | 5 October 2014 | 2018 | |
 |
ZH | Zurich | Cantonal Council | 180 | SVP (54) | 3 April 2011 | 2015 | |
See also
Notes
- 1 2 The ultimate legislative body is the annual Landsgemeinde.