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 Switzerlandportal |
The cantonal legislatures of Switzerland are the elected legislative bodies of the 26 Swiss cantons. Each canton has its own legislature, which operates alongside a cantonal executive and functions independently from the federal Federal Assembly. Legislatures are generally elected for four-year terms, except in the cantons of Fribourg, Vaud, Geneva, and Jura, where terms last five years.
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The size and structure of cantonal legislatures vary. The largest is in the canton of Zürich with 180 members, while the smallest, in Appenzell Innerrhoden, has 49 members. Appenzell Innerrhoden is also the only canton with a formally non-partisan legislature; all others are organized along party political lines.
Party strength varies by canton. As of the most recent elections, the Swiss People's Party (SVP/UDC) holds the largest number of seats in nine legislatures, followed by The Centre (DM/LC) in eight, FDP.The Liberals (FDP/PLR) in seven, and the Social Democratic Party (SP/PS) in one.
Two cantons, Appenzell Innerrhoden and Glarus, use the traditional Landsgemeinde system of direct democracy, where eligible citizens vote by open assembly once a year. Although these assemblies are formally the highest legislative authorities, both cantons also maintain permanent representative legislatures, which are listed in this article.
