Magic formula
Encyclopedia
In Swiss
politics, the magic formula is an arithmetic formula for dividing the seven executive seats of the Swiss Federal Council
between the four ruling parties. The formula was first applied in 1959. It gave the Free Democratic Party
(now FDP.The Liberals
), the Christian Democratic People's Party
and the Social Democratic Party
each two seats, while the Party of Farmers, Traders and Independents (now the Swiss People's Party
) received one seat.
The formula is not an official law, but rather an agreement amongst the rather large coalition of four parties. After the 2003 general elections
, the formula was modified, giving two seats to the SVP/UDC at the expense of the Christian Democrats. This was because the Swiss People's Party received 29% of the votes during the election of the parlament making it Switzerland's largest party by votes.
After the election of Eveline Widmer-Schlumpf
to the federal council in Autumn 2007, she was expelled from the SVP/UDC, because she took the seat of Christoph Blocher
, the unofficial leader of the SVP. The SVP's other councilor, Samuel Schmid
followed her, as he, too, was no longer supported by his own party. They led the establishment of the new Conservative Democratic Party of Switzerland (BDP/PBD). Due to this change, the two seats from the SVP/UDC now belonged to the PDB, although it had only a handful of seats in the parliament.
On 12 November 2008, Schmid resigned from his post as Defense minister and was replaced in a vote that took place on 10 December 2008 by Ueli Maurer
from the SVP/UDC, giving the party back one of its two magic formula seats.
Switzerland
Switzerland name of one of the Swiss cantons. ; ; ; or ), in its full name the Swiss Confederation , is a federal republic consisting of 26 cantons, with Bern as the seat of the federal authorities. The country is situated in Western Europe,Or Central Europe depending on the definition....
politics, the magic formula is an arithmetic formula for dividing the seven executive seats of the Swiss Federal Council
Swiss Federal Council
The Federal Council is the seven-member executive council which constitutes the federal government of Switzerland and serves as the Swiss collective head of state....
between the four ruling parties. The formula was first applied in 1959. It gave the Free Democratic Party
Free Democratic Party of Switzerland
The Free Democratic Party was a classical liberal political party in Switzerland. It was one of the major parties in Switzerland until its merger with the smaller classical liberal Liberal Party, to form FDP.The Liberals on 1 January 2009....
(now FDP.The Liberals
FDP.The Liberals
FDP.The Liberals is a classical liberal political party in Switzerland. It is the joint-largest party in the Federal Council, third-largest party in the National Council, and second-largest in the Council of States....
), the Christian Democratic People's Party
Christian Democratic People's Party of Switzerland
The Christian Democratic People's Party of Switzerland is a Christian democratic political party in Switzerland. It is the fourth-largest party in the National Council, with 31 seats, and the largest in the Council of States, with 15 seats. It has one seat, that of Doris Leuthard, on the Swiss...
and the Social Democratic Party
Social Democratic Party of Switzerland
The Social Democratic Party of Switzerland is the largest centre-left political party in Switzerland....
each two seats, while the Party of Farmers, Traders and Independents (now the Swiss People's Party
Swiss People's Party
The Swiss People's Party , also known as the Democratic Union of the Centre , is a conservative political party in Switzerland. Chaired by Toni Brunner, but spearheaded by Christoph Blocher, the party is the largest party in the Federal Assembly, with 58 members of the National Council and 6 of...
) received one seat.
The formula is not an official law, but rather an agreement amongst the rather large coalition of four parties. After the 2003 general elections
Swiss federal election, 2003
Legislative elections in the Swiss Confederation were held on 19 October 2003. Although in Switzerland's peculiar political system, in which all four major parties form a coalition, it is very difficult to achieve a change of government, this election produced an upset in the strong showing of the...
, the formula was modified, giving two seats to the SVP/UDC at the expense of the Christian Democrats. This was because the Swiss People's Party received 29% of the votes during the election of the parlament making it Switzerland's largest party by votes.
After the election of Eveline Widmer-Schlumpf
Eveline Widmer-Schlumpf
Eveline Widmer-Schlumpf is a Swiss lawyer, politician, and member of the Swiss Federal Council since 2008. She is currently the head of the Federal Department of Finance ....
to the federal council in Autumn 2007, she was expelled from the SVP/UDC, because she took the seat of Christoph Blocher
Christoph Blocher
Christoph Blocher is a Swiss politician, industrialist, and former member of the Swiss Federal Council heading the Federal Department of Justice and Police . Currently he is serving as Vice President of the Swiss People's Party...
, the unofficial leader of the SVP. The SVP's other councilor, Samuel Schmid
Samuel Schmid
Samuel Schmid is a Swiss politician who was a member of the Swiss Federal Council from 2000 to 2008. He was the head of the Federal Department of Defence, Civil Protection and Sports .He was elected to the Federal Council on 6 December 2000...
followed her, as he, too, was no longer supported by his own party. They led the establishment of the new Conservative Democratic Party of Switzerland (BDP/PBD). Due to this change, the two seats from the SVP/UDC now belonged to the PDB, although it had only a handful of seats in the parliament.
On 12 November 2008, Schmid resigned from his post as Defense minister and was replaced in a vote that took place on 10 December 2008 by Ueli Maurer
Ueli Maurer
Ueli Maurer is a member of the Swiss Federal Council and head of the Swiss Federal Department of Defence, Civil Protection and Sports...
from the SVP/UDC, giving the party back one of its two magic formula seats.
The result of formula in latest election
- Free Democratic Party (FDPP/PLR/PLD): Two seats.
- Social Democratic Party (SPS/PSS): Two seats.
- Christian Democratic People's Party (CVP/PDC/PPD/PCD): One seat.
- Conservative Democratic Party of Switzerland (BDP/PBD): One seat.
- Swiss People's Party (SVP/UDC/PPS): One seat.
See also
- Concordance systemConcordance systemIn Swiss politics, concordance system refers to the presence of all major parties in the Federal Council, also referred to as the integration of the political opposition into government....
- Origins and history of the Federal Council