Social Democratic Party of Switzerland
Encyclopedia
The Social Democratic Party of Switzerland (also rendered as Swiss Socialist Party; ; ; ; ) is the largest centre-left
political party in Switzerland
.
The party was founded on 21 October 1888, and is currently the second largest of the four leading coalition political parties in Switzerland
. It is the left-most
party with representatives in the Swiss Federal Council
. It is also the second largest political party
in the Swiss parliament. The current members in the Swiss Federal Council
are: Micheline Calmy-Rey
and Simonetta Sommaruga
.
The SP is the most pro-European party in Switzerland, and supports Swiss membership of the European Union
, unlike most other Swiss parties.
between 1927 and 1940.
policies. To that rule, the SP stands for a government offering strong public services
. The SP is against far-reaching economic liberalism
, in favour of social progressivism, environmental policy
with climate change mitigation, for an open foreign policy, and a national security policy based on pacifism
.
In economic, financial, and social welfare
policy, the SP rejects policies of economic liberalization
such as deregulation
, lowering taxes for high-income citizens, and decreases in government spending
on social insurance
. The SP also opposes raising the retirement age. In addition, the SP is a proponent of increasing welfare spending in some areas such as for a publicly financed maternity leave
, universal health care
and a flexible retirement age. In tax policy the SP opposes the notion of lowering taxes for high-income citizens. By campaigning for the harmonisation of all tax rates in Switzerland, the SP seeks more redistribution
. The SP is skeptical toward the privatization
of state enterprises
. Nonetheless, the SP also promotes more competition
in the areas of agriculture and parallel imports.
In social policy, the SP is committed to social equity and an open society
. Thus, the SP aims at making working conditions for women in families easier by promoting more external childcare centers and more opportunities for part-time jobs. It also aims at reinforcing sexual equality in terms of eliminating wage differences based on gender. supported civil union
for homosexual
s and taking an easier stance toward abortions. The SP also rejects strengthening restrictions on asylum seekers and immigrants. Thus, it supports the integration of immigrants by which the immigrants are assigned to immigration procedures immediately after entering the country. The SP has a liberal stance toward drugs and is in favor of publicly-regulated heroin consumption and the legalisation of cannabis
. Nevertheless, the SP supports the smoking ban
in restaurants and bars.
In foreign policy the SP promotes further participation by Switzerland in international organisations. It supports immediate entry of Switzerland into the European Union
. The SP also stands for a less strict neutrality of Switzerland, which supports increased international efforts on the part of Switzerland in the areas of peace and human rights. Furthermore, the SP supports keeping the military neutrality and opposes entry into NATO. Its pacifist stance is also reflected in its military policy: The SP supports reducing the number of Swiss militia while making the military apparatus more professional and scrapping conscription
. Another demand of the SP is to end the tradition of gun ownership
, using severe and recent examples of abuse in terms of murder as proof.
Together with the Green Party of Switzerland
, the Social Democrats have common environmentalist
policies, which are reflected in the expansion of ecotax
reforms and increased state support for energy saving measures and renewable energies
. The SP is against the construction of new roads where possible and instead proposes to shift the transportation of good from the roads to the railways and the introduction of a cap and trade and traffic management system when it comes to transportation across the Swiss Alps
. Furthermore, the SP stands for an expansion of the public transportation system network and opposes nuclear energy
.
(executive body). By 2005, it held 23,8% of the seats in the Swiss Cantonal governments and 23,2% in the Swiss Cantonal parliaments (index "BADAC", weighted with the population and number of seats). At the last legislative elections
on 22 October 2007, the party won 19,5 % of the popular vote and 43 out of 200 seats.
Centre-left
Centre-left is a political term that describes individuals, political parties or organisations such as think tanks whose ideology lies between the centre and the left on the left-right spectrum...
political party in Switzerland
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....
.
The party was founded on 21 October 1888, and is currently the second largest of the four leading coalition political parties in Switzerland
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....
. It is the left-most
Political spectrum
A political spectrum is a way of modeling different political positions by placing them upon one or more geometric axes symbolizing independent political dimensions....
party with representatives in 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....
. It is also the second largest political party
Political party
A political party is a political organization that typically seeks to influence government policy, usually by nominating their own candidates and trying to seat them in political office. Parties participate in electoral campaigns, educational outreach or protest actions...
in the Swiss parliament. The current members in 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....
are: Micheline Calmy-Rey
Micheline Calmy-Rey
Micheline Anne-Marie Calmy-Rey is the President of the Confederation in Switzerland, head of government. She is also Switzerland's foreign minister as head of the Federal Department of Foreign Affairs. She has been a member of the Swiss Federal Council since 2003, and was President of the...
and Simonetta Sommaruga
Simonetta Sommaruga
Simonetta Sommaruga is a Swiss politician of the Social Democratic Party of Switzerland. She is a member of the Swiss Federal Council, the federal government of Switzerland, and head of the Federal Department of Justice and Police .- Early life :Born in Zug, Sommaruga grew up with two brothers and...
.
The SP is the most pro-European party in Switzerland, and supports Swiss membership of the European Union
European Union
The European Union is an economic and political union of 27 independent member states which are located primarily in Europe. The EU traces its origins from the European Coal and Steel Community and the European Economic Community , formed by six countries in 1958...
, unlike most other Swiss parties.
History
The party was a member of the Labour and Socialist InternationalLabour and Socialist International
The Labour and Socialist International was an international organization of socialist and labour parties, active between 1923 and 1940. The LSI was a forerunner of the present-day Socialist International....
between 1927 and 1940.
Policies
The SP supports classical social-democraticSocial democracy
Social democracy is a political ideology of the center-left on the political spectrum. Social democracy is officially a form of evolutionary reformist socialism. It supports class collaboration as the course to achieve socialism...
policies. To that rule, the SP stands for a government offering strong public services
Public services
Public services is a term usually used to mean services provided by government to its citizens, either directly or by financing private provision of services. The term is associated with a social consensus that certain services should be available to all, regardless of income...
. The SP is against far-reaching economic liberalism
Economic liberalism
Economic liberalism is the ideological belief in giving all people economic freedom, and as such granting people with more basis to control their own lives and make their own mistakes. It is an economic philosophy that supports and promotes individual liberty and choice in economic matters and...
, in favour of social progressivism, environmental policy
Environmental policy
Environmental policy is any [course of] action deliberately taken [or not taken] to manage human activities with a view to prevent, reduce, or mitigate harmful effects on nature and natural resources, and ensuring that man-made changes to the environment do not have harmful effects on...
with climate change mitigation, for an open foreign policy, and a national security policy based on pacifism
Pacifism
Pacifism is the opposition to war and violence. The term "pacifism" was coined by the French peace campaignerÉmile Arnaud and adopted by other peace activists at the tenth Universal Peace Congress inGlasgow in 1901.- Definition :...
.
In economic, financial, and social welfare
Welfare
Welfare refers to a broad discourse which may hold certain implications regarding the provision of a minimal level of wellbeing and social support for all citizens without the stigma of charity. This is termed "social solidarity"...
policy, the SP rejects policies of economic liberalization
Economic liberalization
Economic liberalization is a very broad term that usually refers to fewer government regulations and restrictions in the economy in exchange for greater participation of private entities; the doctrine is associated with classical liberalism...
such as deregulation
Deregulation
Deregulation is the removal or simplification of government rules and regulations that constrain the operation of market forces.Deregulation is the removal or simplification of government rules and regulations that constrain the operation of market forces.Deregulation is the removal or...
, lowering taxes for high-income citizens, and decreases in government spending
Government spending
Government spending includes all government consumption, investment but excludes transfer payments made by a state. Government acquisition of goods and services for current use to directly satisfy individual or collective needs of the members of the community is classed as government final...
on social insurance
Social insurance
Social insurance is any government-sponsored program with the following four characteristics:* the benefits, eligibility requirements and other aspects of the program are defined by statute;...
. The SP also opposes raising the retirement age. In addition, the SP is a proponent of increasing welfare spending in some areas such as for a publicly financed maternity leave
Parental leave
Parental leave is an employee benefit that provides paid or unpaid time off work to care for a child or make arrangements for the child's welfare. Often, the term parental leave includes maternity, paternity, and adoption leave...
, universal health care
Universal health care
Universal health care is a term referring to organized health care systems built around the principle of universal coverage for all members of society, combining mechanisms for health financing and service provision.-History:...
and a flexible retirement age. In tax policy the SP opposes the notion of lowering taxes for high-income citizens. By campaigning for the harmonisation of all tax rates in Switzerland, the SP seeks more redistribution
Redistribution (economics)
Redistribution of wealth is the transfer of income, wealth or property from some individuals to others caused by a social mechanism such as taxation, monetary policies, welfare, nationalization, charity, divorce or tort law. Most often it refers to progressive redistribution, from the rich to the...
. The SP is skeptical toward the privatization
Privatization
Privatization is the incidence or process of transferring ownership of a business, enterprise, agency or public service from the public sector to the private sector or to private non-profit organizations...
of state enterprises
State ownership
State ownership, also called public ownership, government ownership or state property, are property interests that are vested in the state, rather than an individual or communities....
. Nonetheless, the SP also promotes more competition
Competition (economics)
Competition in economics is a term that encompasses the notion of individuals and firms striving for a greater share of a market to sell or buy goods and services...
in the areas of agriculture and parallel imports.
In social policy, the SP is committed to social equity and an open society
Open society
The open society is a concept originally developed by philosopher Henri Bergson and then by Austrian and British philosopher Karl Popper. In open societies, government is purported to be responsive and tolerant, and political mechanisms are said to be transparent and flexible...
. Thus, the SP aims at making working conditions for women in families easier by promoting more external childcare centers and more opportunities for part-time jobs. It also aims at reinforcing sexual equality in terms of eliminating wage differences based on gender. supported civil union
Civil union
A civil union, also referred to as a civil partnership, is a legally recognized form of partnership similar to marriage. Beginning with Denmark in 1989, civil unions under one name or another have been established by law in many developed countries in order to provide same-sex couples rights,...
for homosexual
Homosexuality
Homosexuality is romantic or sexual attraction or behavior between members of the same sex or gender. As a sexual orientation, homosexuality refers to "an enduring pattern of or disposition to experience sexual, affectional, or romantic attractions" primarily or exclusively to people of the same...
s and taking an easier stance toward abortions. The SP also rejects strengthening restrictions on asylum seekers and immigrants. Thus, it supports the integration of immigrants by which the immigrants are assigned to immigration procedures immediately after entering the country. The SP has a liberal stance toward drugs and is in favor of publicly-regulated heroin consumption and the legalisation of cannabis
Cannabis (drug)
Cannabis, also known as marijuana among many other names, refers to any number of preparations of the Cannabis plant intended for use as a psychoactive drug or for medicinal purposes. The English term marijuana comes from the Mexican Spanish word marihuana...
. Nevertheless, the SP supports the smoking ban
Smoking ban
Smoking bans are public policies, including criminal laws and occupational safety and health regulations, which prohibit tobacco smoking in workplaces and/or other public spaces...
in restaurants and bars.
In foreign policy the SP promotes further participation by Switzerland in international organisations. It supports immediate entry of Switzerland into the European Union
European Union
The European Union is an economic and political union of 27 independent member states which are located primarily in Europe. The EU traces its origins from the European Coal and Steel Community and the European Economic Community , formed by six countries in 1958...
. The SP also stands for a less strict neutrality of Switzerland, which supports increased international efforts on the part of Switzerland in the areas of peace and human rights. Furthermore, the SP supports keeping the military neutrality and opposes entry into NATO. Its pacifist stance is also reflected in its military policy: The SP supports reducing the number of Swiss militia while making the military apparatus more professional and scrapping conscription
Conscription in Switzerland
Switzerland has mandatory military service for all able-bodied male citizens, who are conscripted when they reach the age of majority, though women may volunteer for any position....
. Another demand of the SP is to end the tradition of gun ownership
Gun politics in Switzerland
Gun politics in Switzerland are unique in Europe. The personal weapon of militia is kept at home as part of the military obligations. Switzerland has one of the highest militia gun ownership rates in the world. In recent times political opposition has expressed a desire for tighter gun regulations...
, using severe and recent examples of abuse in terms of murder as proof.
Together with the Green Party of Switzerland
Green Party of Switzerland
The Green Party of Switzerland is the fifth-largest party in the National Council of Switzerland, and the largest party that is not represented on the Federal Council.-History:...
, the Social Democrats have common environmentalist
Environmentalism
Environmentalism is a broad philosophy, ideology and social movement regarding concerns for environmental conservation and improvement of the health of the environment, particularly as the measure for this health seeks to incorporate the concerns of non-human elements...
policies, which are reflected in the expansion of ecotax
Ecotax
Ecotax refers to taxes intended to promote ecologically sustainable activities via economic incentives. Such a policy can complement or avert the need for regulatory approaches. Often, an ecotax policy proposal may attempt to maintain overall tax revenue by proportionately reducing other taxes...
reforms and increased state support for energy saving measures and renewable energies
Renewable energy
Renewable energy is energy which comes from natural resources such as sunlight, wind, rain, tides, and geothermal heat, which are renewable . About 16% of global final energy consumption comes from renewables, with 10% coming from traditional biomass, which is mainly used for heating, and 3.4% from...
. The SP is against the construction of new roads where possible and instead proposes to shift the transportation of good from the roads to the railways and the introduction of a cap and trade and traffic management system when it comes to transportation across the Swiss Alps
Alps
The Alps is one of the great mountain range systems of Europe, stretching from Austria and Slovenia in the east through Italy, Switzerland, Liechtenstein and Germany to France in the west....
. Furthermore, the SP stands for an expansion of the public transportation system network and opposes nuclear energy
Nuclear power
Nuclear power is the use of sustained nuclear fission to generate heat and electricity. Nuclear power plants provide about 6% of the world's energy and 13–14% of the world's electricity, with the U.S., France, and Japan together accounting for about 50% of nuclear generated electricity...
.
Popular support
In 2003, it held 52 mandates (out of 200) in the Swiss National Council (first chamber of the Swiss parliament); 9 (out of 46) in the second chamber and 2 out of 7 mandates in the Swiss Federal CouncilSwiss 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....
(executive body). By 2005, it held 23,8% of the seats in the Swiss Cantonal governments and 23,2% in the Swiss Cantonal parliaments (index "BADAC", weighted with the population and number of seats). At the last legislative elections
Elections in Switzerland
Elections in Switzerland gives information on election and election results in Switzerland.Switzerland elects on national level a head of state - the Federal Council - and a legislature. The Federal Assembly has two chambers...
on 22 October 2007, the party won 19,5 % of the popular vote and 43 out of 200 seats.
Presidents
| 1888–1889 | Alexander Reichel |
| 1890–1891 | Albert Steck |
| 1892–1894 | Eugen Wullschleger |
| 1894–1896 | Wilhelm Fürholz |
| 1897 | Karl Zgraggen |
| 1898 | Paul Brandt Paul Brandt Paul Rennée Belobersycky is a Canadian country music artist, known professionally as Paul Brandt. Growing up in Calgary, he was a pediatric RN at the time of his big break... |
| 1898–1901 | Otto Lang Otto Lang Otto Emil Lang, PC, OC, QC, is a Canadian politician.In 1963, he was appointed Dean of Law at the University of Saskatchewan, the youngest person to be appointed to that position, and served until 1969.... |
| 1901–1902 | Joseph Albisser |
| 1902–1908 | Gottfried Reimann |
| 1909–1910 | Eduard Kessler |
| 1911 | Hans Näher |
| 1912–1916 | Fritz Studer |
| 1916–1917 | Emil Klöti |
| 1918 | Jakob Gschwend |
| 1919 | Gustav Müller Gustav Müller Karl Hermann Gustav Müller was a German astronomer.He was born in Schweidnitz, Silesia to a merchant father; his father died... |
| 1919–1936 | Ernst Reinhard |
| 1937–1952 | Hans Oprecht |
| 1953–1962 | Walther Bringolf |
| 1962–1970 | Fritz Grüter |
| 1970–1974 | Arthur Schmid |
| 1974–1990 | Helmut Hubacher |
| 1990–1997 | Peter Bodenmann |
| 1997–2000 | Ursula Koch |
| 2000–2004 | Christiane Brunner Christiane Brunner Christiane Brunner , is a Swiss female politician and a licensed lawyer.-Career:Brunner has occupied the following positions:*Deputy of the Great Council of the Canton of Geneva, 1981–1990... |
| 2004–2008 | Hans-Jürg Fehr Hans-Jürg Fehr Hans-Jürg Fehr is a Swiss politician and was from 2004–2008 the president of the Social Democratic Party of Switzerland. He was succeeded by Christian Levrat.... |
| Since 2008 | Christian Levrat |
Members of the Swiss Federal Council
| 1943–1951 | Ernst Nobs Ernst Nobs Ernst Nobs was a Swiss politician.He was the mayor of Zürich from 1942 to 1944. He was elected to the Swiss Federal Council on December 15, 1943, as the first member of the Social Democratic Party... |
| 1951–1953 | Max Weber Max Weber (politician) Max Weber was a Swiss politician.He was elected to the Swiss Federal Council on 13 December 1951 and handed over office on 31 January 1954. He was affiliated to the Social Democratic Party. During his time in office he held the Department of Finance.-External links:... |
| 1959–1969 | Willy Spühler Willy Spühler Willy Spühler was a Swiss politician.He was elected to the Swiss Federal Council on 17 December 1959, representing the Canton of Zürich, and handed over office on 31 January 1970. He was affiliated to the Social Democratic Party. He was a municipal councillor in Zurich in 1928 and a national... |
| 1959–1973 | Hans-Peter Tschudi Hans-Peter Tschudi Hans-Peter Tschudi was a Swiss politician and member of the Swiss Federal Council heading the Department of Home Affairs .... |
| 1969–1977 | Pierre Graber Pierre Graber Pierre Graber was a Swiss politician and member of the Swiss Federal Council .He was born in La Chaux-de-Fonds, Switzerland and after studying law in Neuchâtel and Vienna he became attorney-at-law in Lausanne... |
| 1973–1983 | Willy Ritschard Willy Ritschard Willi Ritschard was a Swiss politician and member of the Swiss Federal Council .... |
| 1977–1987 | Pierre Aubert Pierre Aubert Pierre Aubert is a Swiss politician, lawyer and former member of the Swiss Federal Council .... |
| 1987–1993 | René Felber René Felber René Felber is a Swiss politician and member of the Swiss Federal Council .Born 1933 in Bienne, Felber was a teacher in Boudevilliers and Le Locle . He was mayor of Le Locle from 1964 to 1980 , member of the Cantonal Parliament of Neuchâtel... |
| 1983–1995 | Otto Stich Otto Stich Otto Stich is a Swiss politician.He was elected to the Federal Council of Switzerland on 7 December 1983 and handed over office on 31 October 1995. He is affiliated to the Social Democratic Party.... |
| 1993–2002 | Ruth Dreifuss Ruth Dreifuss Ruth Dreifuss is a Swiss politician affiliated with the Social Democratic Party. She was a member of the Swiss Federal Council from 1993 to 2002, representing the Canton of Geneva).... |
| 1995–2010 | Moritz Leuenberger Moritz Leuenberger Moritz Leuenberger is a Swiss politician, lawyer, was a member of the Swiss Federal Council from 1995 to 2010 and President of the Confederation in 2001 and in 2006.... |
| Since 2002 | Micheline Calmy-Rey Micheline Calmy-Rey Micheline Anne-Marie Calmy-Rey is the President of the Confederation in Switzerland, head of government. She is also Switzerland's foreign minister as head of the Federal Department of Foreign Affairs. She has been a member of the Swiss Federal Council since 2003, and was President of the... |
| Since 2010 | Simonetta Sommaruga Simonetta Sommaruga Simonetta Sommaruga is a Swiss politician of the Social Democratic Party of Switzerland. She is a member of the Swiss Federal Council, the federal government of Switzerland, and head of the Federal Department of Justice and Police .- Early life :Born in Zug, Sommaruga grew up with two brothers and... |
External links
- www.sp-ps.ch in French and German
- www.ps-ticino.ch in Italian