Record number to run in Swiss October elections
AFP - [email protected]
Published: 22 Sep, 2011 CET.
Updated: Thu 22 Sep 2011 12:20 CET
A record number of candidates will stand for the Swiss legislative elections in October, authorities said on Thursday.
At the close of applications, the federal chancellery said it has received requests from 3,458 people who are standing for the 200 available seats in the Swiss parliament.
"This is an increase of 10.7 percent from the previous election, which constitutes a new record," said the authorities.
The number of candidates from French-speaking Switzerland has increased sharply, with 73 more applicants seeking a place in canton Geneva and 110 more in canton Vaud.
Female participation however fell from 35.2 percent in 2007 to 32.7 percent in 2011.
Meanwhile 73 Swiss living abroad are also contesting the elections, up from 44 in 2007.
Join the conversation in our comments section below. Share your own views and experience and if you have a question or suggestion for our journalists then email us at [email protected].
Please keep comments civil, constructive and on topic – and make sure to read our terms of use before getting involved.
Please log in here to leave a comment.