The Swiss Greens get despite large gains in the parliamentary election on 20 October for the time being no place in the government.
As the fourth-strongest party, they theoretically have a right to one of the seven Federal Council seats. However, Greens President Regula Rytz failed in the election in parliament. The deputies of both chambers confirmed the seven old incumbents. Despite the losses of the four parties hitherto representing the Federal Councilors, this means that nothing changes in the Swiss government for the time being.
In Switzerland, the government is formed according to a system that is supposed to represent the largest political currents that have remained unchanged in recent decades.
The parliament chooses the government according to the so-called magic formula: The four most voters strongest parties should be represented in it. At the same time, however, it has become customary for one party to have to make a vote in two elections before it receives a Federal Council post. In addition, federal councils themselves decide when to resign.
Right-wing party continues to be the strongest force
Although the right-wing Swiss People's Party (SVP) remains the strongest force after the election, it lost most of its votes and mandates. She came to 25.6 percent (minus 3.8). The traditional parties of the Social Democrats (SP) also lost and landed at 16.8 percent. The liberal FDP came to 15.1 percent. The Greens became the fourth strongest force, rising to 13.2 percent (plus 6.1 points). The Christian Party (CVP) reached 11.4 percent, while the Green Party (GLP), which combines environmental issues with liberal economic policies, rose to 7.8 percent.
In the Bundesrat were confirmed the old incumbents: Finance Minister Ueli Maurer and Economy Minister Guy Parmelin (both SVP), Interior Minister Alain Berset and Environment Minister Simonetta Sommaruga (both SP), Foreign Minister Ignazio Cassis and Justice Minister Karin Keller-Sutter (FDP) and Defense Minister Viola Amherd (CVP ).