What should Switzerland’s direction be over the next four years? Welcome to our big 2023 election survey.

Swiss People’s Party (SVP)
Right-wing national-conservative party; strongest party since 2003.
2019 election: 25.6%.
Current political weight: 53 seats in National Council, 7 seats in Council of States, 2 seats in Federal Council.
www.svp.ch

Swiss Social Democratic Party (SP)
The only left-wing party in government; roots go back to labour movement.
2019 election: 16.8%.
Current political weight: 39 seats in National Council, 7 seats in Council of States, 2 seats in Federal Council.
www.sp-ps.ch

FDP – The Liberals
Merged with the Liberal Party in 2009 to establish FDP.The Liberals.
2019 election: 15.1%.
Current political weight: 29 seats in National Council, 12 seats in Council of States, 2 seats in Federal Council.
www.fdp.ch

The Centre
Founded in 2021 following the merger of the Christian Democratic People’s Party (CVP) and Conservative Democratic Party (BDP).
2019 election (cumulative result): 13.8%.
Current political weight: 28 seats in National Council, 14 seats in Council of States, 1 seat in Federal Council.
www.die-mitte.ch

Swiss Green Party (the Greens)
Left-wing party whose roots go back to the anti-nuclear movement.
2019 election: 13.2%.
Current political weight: 28 seats in National Council, 5 seats in Council of States, 0 seats in Federal Council.
www.gruene.ch

Green Liberal Party (the Green Liberals, GLP)
Founded in 2007 as a moderate splinter group of the left-leaning Greens.
2019 election: 7.8%.
Current political weight: 16 seats in National Council, 0 seats in Council of States, 0 seats in Federal Council.
www.gruenliberale.ch

SVP: No. There is no need for government intervention in a free-market economy. We need to intensify energy research instead. To ensure safe electricity production, we also need new fourth-generation nuclear power plants as well as a system for recycling spent fuel rods.

SP: Yes. To meet our climate goals, we must expedite our energy transition towards renewables. We must improve energy efficiency, speed up the modernisation of buildings, enhance public transport, regulate and hold the financial sector to account, and reduce energy consumption to a reasonable level.

FDP: Yes. Provided we implement liberal policies to meet our climate goals. This includes agreeing on targets and carbon trading rules for the industrial sector as well as implementing measures related to buildings and mobility. We should look for technology-neutral solutions in all areas.

The Centre: Yes. The Climate and Innovation Act delivers on the net-zero goal of the Paris Agreement. With its stimulus programme for residential buildings, its emission reduction targets, and its promotion of innovation, the legislation constitutes an effective, balanced package. It is an important step in the right direction. Further democratically approved steps are still necessary.

Greens: Yes. The legislation sets climate goals and promotes key action. But more money is needed. This is why the Greens have co-launched the Climate Fund Initiative, calling for 0.5 to 1 per cent of GDP to be set aside for the purpose of fighting climate change and protecting the environment.

Green Liberals: Yes. We need further action to achieve the aims of the legislation. Our four-pronged strategy (efficiency, renewables, energy storage, and Europe) offers intelligent solutions to optimise the synergies between ecology and economy while ensuring energy security.

SVP: Yes. Because the catastrophic meltdown at the Japanese nuclear power plant in Fukushima influenced the electorate’s decision to approve the ban. This disaster is irrelevant to Switzerland and the safety of our power plants.

SP: No.As part of the Paris Agreement, Switzerland and other countries are committed to limiting global warming to no more than 1.5°C. This means moving away from fossil fuels and nuclear power.

FDP: Neither yes nor no. Apart from a massive expansion in renewable energy, Switzerland urgently needs new big power plants to ensure energy security with enough base-load capacity throughout the year, including winter.

The Centre: No. We oppose the construction of new nuclear power stations. Instead, we need quick to implement, realistic, pragmatic solutions focusing on domestic, renewable energy to ensure energy security, drive the switch from nuclear and fossil fuels, and reduce our reliance on foreign energy.

Greens: No. Any new plant would take decades to start producing energy, while costing billions of francs. There are also major safety issues, not to mention the still unsolved problem of nuclear waste. There are good, less expensive, more quickly available renewable alternatives like solar and wind.

Green Liberals: No. We can ensure energy security with renewables. Nuclear brings major risks and involves the unresolved question of how we dispose of the waste. Our four-pronged strategy (efficiency, renewables, energy storage, and Europe) is clearly a better alternative. However, we support nuclear research.

SVP: Neither yes nor no. It depends on whether the expansion in renewables relates to existing infrastructure such as dams or installations on buildings that already have an environmental impact, or to new infrastructure with a highly detrimental impact on wildlife and the natural landscape.

SP: Yes. But the SP has already suggested specific ways in which to reconcile the rapid rollout of hydro, wind and solar with environmental concerns. It is possible to turbocharge the development of renewables while preventing irreversible biodiversity loss.

FDP: Yes. We need a rapid expansion in power capacity. Both the public sector and electricity suppliers must drive the increase in renewables and take advantage of simplified approval procedures. Efforts by the left-green faction and environmental organisations to oppose this are counterproductive.

The Centre: Yes. The Climate and Innovation Act means that Switzerland is committed to net-zero emissions by 2050. We therefore believe it is acceptable to prioritise specific projects aimed at generating renewable energy. This includes developing dams and pushing solar power.

Greens: No. Biodiversity and the switch from nuclear and fossil fuels are inextricably linked. We, the Greens, are committed to expanding renewable energy in tandem with nature. This means stopping energy wastage as well as installing solar panels on all suitable roofs, facades and infrastructure to mitigate the environmental impact.

Green Liberals: Yes. Provided there is no irreversible, disproportionate impact that cannot be offset through suitable replacement or compensatory measures. Furthermore, we are against irreversibly damaging and destroying natural or cultural assets of national importance. The benefits must also be sufficient to justify the environmental impact.

SVP: No. A country that respects the rule of law keeps to the agreements that it has signed. The unilateral re-export of arms to a warring party would violate Swiss neutrality. We would lose our international status as a neutral country – and consequently our role as an unbiased intermediary.

SP: Yes. Although Switzerland is a neutral country, it has a legal, political and moral duty to support Ukraine. The SP advocates a solution that would allow the Federal Council, under strict conditions based on international law, to approve requests to re-export weapons to Ukraine by way of exception.

FDP: Yes. The war in Ukraine has shown that the War Materiel Act in its current form is unsuitable for the challenges of today. For months, the FDP has been committed to finding a solution compatible with neutrality.

The Centre: Yes. The Centre believes that Switzerland must stand with Ukraine and allow other countries to transfer Swiss weapons to Ukraine. We will work constructively towards solutions to support Ukraine as effectively as possible.

Greens: No. The War Materiel Act forbids the export of Swiss armaments to countries embroiled in war, while our military neutrality precludes making decisions on a case-by-case basis. Switzerland must support Ukraine by providing much more financial assistance, freezing all oligarch assets and banning Russian commodity trading.

Green Liberals: Yes. Because Russia’s invasion of Ukraine is a criminal war of aggression under international law.

SVP: No. Switzerland is a sovereign country. Our neutrality defines our foreign policy and forbids us from being a party to armed conflicts between other countries. However, we must provide humanitarian assistance to all warring parties and support all peace negotiations.

SP: Yes. We must adapt neutrality to the reality of the times. Neutrality does not mean championing a country or a group of countries with imperial aspirations, but standing on the side of international law at all times. This also includes being more proactive in supporting the UN and its objectives.

FDP: Neither yes nor no. Neutrality is an instrument for maintaining security and not a means to shirk responsibility. We should always adapt it to the prevailing circumstances. Neutrality was never meant to be rigid.

The Centre: Neither yes nor no. Neutrality is a foreign policy instrument and not an end in itself. Its function is to ensure Switzerland’s independence, security and prosperity in a turbulent world. Swiss neutrality does not absolve us of our responsibility to take a stance.

Greens: Yes. The war has changed what we thought we knew. Switzerland must contribute to security and stability in Europe. The debate on neutrality has begun. For us, Switzerland clearly stands on the side of international law and human rights.

Green Liberals: Yes. The Federal Council’s interpretation of neutrality is too strict. Where the use of force violates international law, Switzerland must be able to support the victim, particularly by providing essential supplies (e.g. protective helmets and vests) to the civilian population.

SVP: Neither yes nor no. Further reform will be necessary in future. Demographic changes mean that the retirement age needs to be made more flexible. The current reform has stabilised Old-age and survivors’ insurance (OASI) until at least 2030. We will see what the next reform brings, as soon as we begin to address the time beyond 2030 within the next few years.

SP: No. The right-wing parties want to hollow out the welfare state bit by bit. Less money is available thanks to their policies. Instead, we need to shore up pensions to protect purchasing power. This is why the SP is against a further increase in the retirement age and in favour of a 13th OASI pension payment.

FDP: Yes. OASI is heading for financial meltdown due to demographic changes. By raising the retirement age to 66 and linking the retirement age to life expectancy, our Pension Initiative is exactly what is needed to address the problems besetting OASI and ensure that the state pension system continues to work in future.

The Centre: No. The latest reform has secured the funding of OASI for the next few years. A further increase in the retirement age is, therefore, neither financially necessary nor socially acceptable. However, OASI still discriminates against married couples by capping their pensions. This needs to stop (see our Fair Pensions Initiative).

Greens: No. A further increase in the retirement age is unnecessary. OASI can easily be funded through a fair reallocation of SNB profits and a slight increase in the contribution percentage rate. The Greens also support an inheritance tax on the superrich to the fund OASI.

Green Liberals: Yes. Retirement provision is becoming increasingly unbalanced as a result of demographic change. To keep pension benefits at their current levels, we need to change the retirement age and make it more flexible. But other measures are still needed (e.g. a debt ceiling for OASI).

SVP: No. In our direct democracy, citizens have the final say on political decisions. It is, therefore, important that people who arrive in Switzerland understand and learn about their responsibility, the workings of our country, and the long-term consequences of future decisions. This takes time, interest and commitment.

SP: Yes. We believe that it is in the interests of us all that the people who live here shape the future of our country. To do so, they need to be allowed to have a say and take decisions like the rest of us. We need uniform, formal naturalisation criteria at federal level, while the naturalisation procedure itself also needs to be quick and inexpensive.

FDP: No. Simplified naturalisation for third-generation foreign nationals was an important step in 2018. You can always talk about making certain changes here and there, but the FDP believes that the naturalisation procedure works well by and large. The principle still holds that citizenship comes after the process of integration and does not precede it.

The Centre: No. The Centre opposes any changes to the Swiss Citizenship Act, which was only amended five years ago. To become a Swiss citizen, you must meet certain conditions. Acquisition of citizenship is the outcome, not a condition, of successful integration.

Greens: Yes. Because our democracy becomes stronger when more people are able to participate in it. This is why the Greens support the Democracy Initiative to make naturalisation a fundamental right, with the same fair conditions for naturalisation applying to everyone.

Green Liberals: Yes. We want the following: 1) The process of becoming Swiss to start at school: those in compulsory education for at least 5 years considered to be integrated in and familiar with Swiss life. 2) Naturalisation applications can be made after 7 years instead of after 10. 3) The minimum period of stay in the municipality should be reduced to 1 to 3 years. 4) No more naturalisation “interviews”.

SVP: No. Sixteen-year-olds are children in the eyes of the law and do not have the same rights and obligations as adults. They are not yet integrated into the world of work either, which is why lowering the voting age is inappropriate. All decisions at the ballot box have consequences. A 16-year-old cannot make these decisions yet.

SP: Yes. Political participation is crucial. Teenagers under 18 are unable to vote despite the fact that political decisions will affect them the longest. This is wrong. They should have voting rights at municipal, cantonal and national level from the age of 16.

FDP: No. In several cantons, a lowering of the voting age has been rejected at the ballot box or at parliamentary level. Introducing this change at federal level and presenting the cantons with a fait accompli would be undemocratic. The voting age should remain at 18, when children legally become adults. Instead of making more exceptions, we need to have a fundamental discussion about the adult legal age.

The Centre: No. The youth wing of our party supports lowering the voting age. We are more sceptical. You would first have to lower the adult legal age to 16, which we do not support.

Greens: Yes. Young people, who still have a long time to live, should also be involved in taking decisions that affect their future. People in modern, progressive democracies should be able to vote from the age of 16. Greater participation makes democracies stronger and more future-proof.

Green Liberals: Yes. Young people should be able to vote earlier on issues that affect their future (e.g. pension provision, environmental policy, climate and energy policy).

SVP: Neither yes nor no. Our system is secure and well thought out. E-voting, on the other hand, is prone to fraud (e.g. through hacking). Unfortunately, our suggestion that voting papers be sent to the Swiss Abroad by email and returned by post fell on deaf ears.

SP: Yes. Many Swiss Abroad are unable to exercise their constitutionally enshrined political rights, because voting papers continue to arrive too late for many. E-voting is the only way to ensure that the entire “Fifth Switzerland” can take part in elections and popular votes.

FDP: Yes. Many Swiss Abroad are still unable to exercise their right to vote, because voting papers arrive too late or not at all. E-voting could help to redress this – but not completely, because the necessary codes would still have to be sent by post.

The Centre: Yes. E-voting is very important for Swiss Abroad. It makes it easier for our expatriate nationals to exercise their political rights. The Centre believes, therefore, that the introduction of e-voting is an absolute priority.

Greens: Yes. However, for security reasons, pilots should be strictly limited to Swiss Abroad and to people with physical and/or mental impairments, to whom e-voting offers genuine added value. If all Swiss Abroad could be officially assigned to their own canton, this would expedite the process.

Green Liberals: Yes. As long as we can ensure that e-voting is fraud-proof.

SVP: No. Compared to other countries, our expatriates have generous voting rights. The Swiss Abroad can take part in elections and popular votes at municipal, cantonal and federal level. What is more, it is possible for Swiss Abroad to be elected to the National Council, the Council of States or the Federal Council, even if that is somewhat unlikely.

SP: Yes. The Federal Council and the cantons must work towards developing a reliable, trustworthy and financially secure e-voting channel specifically for the “Fifth Switzerland”.

FDP: Yes. The introduction of a government e-ID scheme is vital to ensuring that the necessary codes for e-voting can be sent electronically. An e-ID scheme would also simplify various government and consulate services.

The Centre: Yes. The Centre supports concrete measures that allow the Swiss Abroad to participate in Switzerland’s political and social life. International election lists is one such measure, which is why we will again have candidates from the “Fifth Switzerland” representing our party this year at the national elections.

Greens: Yes. We want to make it easier for Swiss Abroad to vote. The Greens believe that embassies and consulates should oversee the process, without the need for any more time-consuming postal deliveries. Furthermore, we support a change in the constitution that would ensure that Swiss Abroad are also represented in parliament.

Green Liberals: Yes. We should make voting easier wherever possible. This also includes authorities being more proactive in informing Swiss Abroad of their right to vote.

SVP: No. Any time limit would be very hard to implement. It is likely that third- or later-generation expats rarely exercise their right to vote anyway, because they no longer have a real connection to Switzerland – unless they actually return to Switzerland.

SP: No. More and more Swiss live abroad for differing lengths of time. Many of them will return sooner or later. It is, therefore, right that the Federal Constitution allows them to continue exercising their political rights even if they stay abroad for several decades.

FDP: No. Swiss have the right to vote both at home and abroad. Swiss Abroad must make sure that they are on the electoral register. Those who no longer have a close connection to Switzerland tend not to exercise their voting rights anyway.

The Centre: No. The Centre believes there is no need to put a time limit on voting rights for Swiss citizens, either at home or abroad.

Greens: No. The Greens want to extend, not remove, political rights. The Swiss Abroad are no exception in this regard. But it also applies to foreign nationals in Switzerland.

Green Liberals: No. Swiss expatriates clearly have a role to play in our country’s political life. We are committed to increasing expat participation in elections and popular votes. This is why we have launched our international section, GLP International.

SVP: No. People have been able to manage work and family since time immemorial, without the state having to fund day care. People should manage their own lives as they see fit, without delegating responsibility to the state.

SP: Yes. Work-family balance is the key to equality. And childcare services are crucial to promoting work-family balance. This is why the SP is calling for good, affordable day care across Switzerland as part of its Day-Care Initiative.

FDP: Essentially, yes. However, the FDP wants a lower-cost option to the one approved by the National Council in March. Cantons and municipalities need to offer enough day-care facilities. Tax deductions for childcare services would incentivise companies to provide day-care options. We need to incentivise private nurseries in cantons where most or all nurseries are publicly funded. There should be a level playing field for everyone.

The Centre: Yes. More financial investment should certainly be taken into consideration to promote a better work-family balance. Furthermore, this would help to keep women on the job market and stem the skills shortage. The federal government already provides support, but the responsible cantons must also fulfil their responsibility.

Greens: Yes. It is a proven fact that women cut their working hours following the birth of their first child, which is why there has to be enough affordable day care to allow young mothers to remain at work and not be lost to the job market during staff shortages.

Green Liberals: Yes. Because there has to be a healthier relationship between work and family life. Nurseries and other types of day care allow parents to increase their working hours, which mitigates the skills and people shortage.

SVP: Building land in Switzerland is very expensive because it is scarce. Excessive immigration means that demand is even higher. High-density housing can only partly ease the problem. This is because you still have inflexible building regulations, a complicated and slow authorisation process, and nonsensical energy regulations to contend with – all of which makes the process of finding viable solutions even slower and more expensive. Rising interest rates and an overregulated rental market mean that it has become less attractive to invest in housing. Much of the problem is home-made, and we could be more proactive in rectifying the situation. There is plenty we could do.

SP: Profit-minded property owners and estate agents take advantage of rising demand and charge inflated rents. The government must be more active in counteracting this failure of the market. Public land should not be sold to private entities but used for appropriate, affordable housing and made available to SMEs on a leasehold basis. Rent controls are a way to prevent price explosions. To stop the property market from overheating, we also need to restrict access to the Swiss property market for investors, groups and funds from abroad.

FDP: More housing, less regulation! Building needs to become attractive again. You can build new housing. You can renovate ageing housing stock while adding additional floors and increasing density. You can also convert commercial property to residential housing. All of this should be made simpler and easier.

The Centre: To provide a growing population with more housing, you need a comprehensive approach to land and site development at all government levels. One quick win would be to restrict the right of complaint with regard to smaller building projects. The Centre has also campaigned to amend the Second Homes Act.

Greens: We should promote non-profit housing schemes, where housing cooperatives charge according to the cost rent on a non-profit basis. Viewed in the long term, cooperative housing is very reasonably priced. Furthermore, cooperatives create innovative, space-saving forms of housing such as communal and multi-generational homes. These allow older people to downsize into smaller housing after their children have moved out, with larger homes set aside for families. In tourist regions, we also need to close loopholes in restrictions on the building of second homes and prevent new loopholes from appearing.

Green Liberals: We have a package of measures that would create high-quality, sustainable, adequate-sized, reasonably priced housing space in the right locations. Moderate densification is necessary to meet higher demand for housing. Rigid noise protection regulations have created a logjam and need to be loosened as a matter of urgency, not least in larger urban areas. A bill that was tabled as a result of one of our parliamentary motions points the way in this regard. Overall, we need an effective, long-term, joined-up approach to spatial, structure and land-use planning in order to achieve high-quality housing offering short commutes and valuable space for humans and nature.

SVP: Like its parent party, SVP International represents the traditional values of Switzerland and its citizens: personal and social freedom, sovereignty, independence, individual responsibility, and neutrality. These values, together with a social market economy, have made Switzerland into one of the world’s richest countries. We want to minimise state intervention so that entrepreneurship, innovation and competition can continue to prosper in a country that remains an attractive place for jobs. Only a profit-oriented market economy ensures a functioning welfare system.

SP: Swiss citizens living abroad should vote for the SP, because their political voice often tips the balance not least on foreign policy issues. They play an important role in shaping the present and future of an open, equitable society. Our international section, SP International, is strengthening the relationship Swiss Abroad have with Switzerland and Swiss politics. SP International supports the political rights, activities and interests of our citizens abroad, e.g. through the comprehensive rollout of e-voting.

FDP: Our international section, FDP.The Liberals International, has been defending the specific interests of the Swiss Abroad for decades. We campaign for a modern, cosmopolitan Switzerland and advocate international mobility. Global interconnectedness and the unfettered transfer of expertise are key to Switzerland’s development.

The Centre: We champion expatriate interests and want the Swiss Abroad to be fairly represented in society and politics. This is why we have been strongly campaigning for guaranteed health insurance outside the EU/EFTA area, the introduction of e-voting, easier access to the Swiss banking system, and full OASI benefits also for people domiciled abroad.

Greens: The Greens advocate a cosmopolitan Switzerland that does more for international cooperation. We oppose the closure of Swiss representations abroad. As a rich country generating high CO₂ emissions, Switzerland has a big responsibility to combat global warming – because the impact of climate change can be seen around the world. In the area of development cooperation, Switzerland can also do more to fight poverty. With regard to Europe, we are doing more than all the other parties to ensure that Swiss-EU relations improve and freedom of movement continues.

Green Liberals: We actively champion the interests of the Swiss Abroad. In particular, formal relations with the EU are of great concern to many Swiss living abroad. We also believe that making it as easy as possible for Swiss Abroad to exercise their voting rights (via a secure e-voting process) is crucial, and that it should be possible for expatriates to return to Switzerland without being disadvantaged for doing so (access to social security, recognition of foreign qualifications, etc.).