Political Parties

Since its foundation at the beginning of the 20th century, the Center (founded in 1912 as the Swiss Conservative People's Party) had been defined by Christian social tendencies and committed to social policy. These tendencies became particularly evident in its parliamentary activity as well as in Christian associations and trade unions, which echoed the party’s dedication to family protection.

At the beginning of the 20th century, the representatives of the progressive wing of the Free Democratic Party (renamed FDP.The Liberals in 2009) were among the driving forces behind the introduction of the first social policies. The party advocated forms of social security that did not stand in opposition to private interests and free market principles.

Social reforms have been at the heart of the Social Democratic Party’s (SP) manifesto since its inception in 1888. Over the course of the 20th century, the SP has transitioned from an opposition party to a governing party, charged with expanding and further developing social policy legislation.

The Swiss People’s Party (SVP) advocates right wing, conservative social policy. After aligning their social policy closer to that of the centre parties in the 1970s, the party has been a prominent critic of social security since the 1990s.

The Swiss Green Party (GPS) was founded in the 1980s. Ecological issues are at the heart of its political activities. It has also become increasingly involved in social policy issues, and often works together with other left-wing parties and groups.

The Swiss Workers Party (PdA), founded in 1944, has remained a minor party with a very modest voter base. As a result, it had few opportunities to affect the design of social welfare measures. However, in particular cases, targeted actions the PdA undertook did allow it to exert some influence on the development of social policy.