Government and politics in Bern / Berne (Espace Mittelland, Switzerland): official figures
The canton of Bern is run by a 7-member cantonal government, elected in 2026, and a 160-seat cantonal parliament, last elected in 2026.
Which party is largest in Bern?
The largest party in the cantonal parliament of Bern after the 2026 election is the Swiss People's Party (SVP) with 51 of 160 seats (31.9%).
Source: Federal Statistical Office (BFS/OFS) · saved copyHow many women are in the Bern parliament?
Women won 74 of the 160 seats in the Bern parliament in 2026, a share of 46.2% (all cantonal parliaments: 35.0%).
Source: Federal Statistical Office (BFS/OFS) · saved copyWhich parties are in the government of Bern?
The 7 seats of the Bern cantonal government (elected 2026, as recorded on 18 October 2026) are held by: Social Democrats (SP) 2, Swiss People's Party (SVP) 2, FDP (The Liberals) 1, Centre party (Die Mitte) 1, Greens 1.
Source: Federal Statistical Office (BFS/OFS) · saved copyWho governs the canton of Bern?
No party dominates the Bern cantonal executive: no list holds more than 2 of its 7 seats, and 5 different parties are represented in it.
Source: Federal Statistical Office (BFS/OFS) · saved copyMore figures
- Seats in the Bern parliament elected in 2026: Swiss People's Party (SVP) 51, Social Democrats (SP) 36, FDP (The Liberals) 18, Greens 17, Green Liberals (GLP) 15, Centre party (Die Mitte) 9. Source: Federal Statistical Office (BFS/OFS) · saved copy
- With 160 members for 1,076,127 residents, the Bern parliament has one seat for every 6,726 people. Source: Federal Statistical Office (BFS/OFS) · saved copy
How Bern / Berne compares with other cantons in Switzerland
Women in the cantonal parliament (% of seats, latest election) (2026)
Bern / Berne ranks 2 of 26, highest first.
| Rank | Area | Women in the cantonal parliament (% of seats, latest election) |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Neuchâtel | 54.0% |
| 2 | Bern / Berne | 46.2% |
| 3 | Basel-Stadt | 46.0% |
| 4 | Zürich | 43.9% |
| 5 | Luzern | 40.0% |
| 6 | Valais / Wallis | 38.5% |
| 7 | Basel-Landschaft | 37.8% |
Seat share of the largest party in the cantonal parliament (%) (2026)
Bern / Berne ranks 12 of 25, highest first.
| Rank | Area | Seat share of the largest party in the cantonal parliament (%) |
|---|---|---|
| 9 | Obwalden | 32.7% |
| 10 | Appenzell Ausserrhoden | 32.3% |
| 11 | Thurgau | 32.3% |
| 12 | Bern / Berne | 31.9% |
| 13 | Basel-Stadt | 31.0% |
| 14 | Neuchâtel | 30.0% |
| 15 | Graubünden / Grigioni / Grischun | 29.2% |
Residents per cantonal parliament seat (2025 population) (2026)
Bern / Berne ranks 2 of 26, highest first.
| Rank | Area | Residents per cantonal parliament seat (2025 population) |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Zürich | 9,072 |
| 2 | Bern / Berne | 6,726 |
| 3 | Vaud | 5,758 |
| 4 | Genève | 5,371 |
| 5 | Aargau | 5,313 |
| 6 | St. Gallen | 4,534 |
| 7 | Ticino | 3,998 |
SVP share of seats in the cantonal parliament (%) (2026)
Bern / Berne ranks 8 of 25, highest first.
| Rank | Area | SVP share of seats in the cantonal parliament (%) |
|---|---|---|
| 5 | Aargau | 34.3% |
| 6 | Obwalden | 32.7% |
| 7 | Thurgau | 32.3% |
| 8 | Bern / Berne | 31.9% |
| 9 | Graubünden / Grigioni / Grischun | 29.2% |
| 10 | Nidwalden | 28.3% |
| 11 | Uri | 26.6% |
SP share of seats in the cantonal parliament (%) (2026)
Bern / Berne ranks 5 of 25, highest first.
| Rank | Area | SP share of seats in the cantonal parliament (%) |
|---|---|---|
| 2 | Neuchâtel | 27.0% |
| 3 | Jura | 26.7% |
| 4 | Schaffhausen | 26.7% |
| 5 | Bern / Berne | 22.5% |
| 6 | Basel-Landschaft | 22.2% |
| 7 | Vaud | 21.3% |
| 8 | Solothurn | 21.0% |
More on Bern / Berne: overview · economy and jobs · health · education and schools · poverty and living standards · government budget · Espace Mittelland · Switzerland
Sources
- Federal Statistical Office (BFS/OFS): Kantonale Parlamentswahlen: Mandatsverteilung nach Parteien, Geschlecht und Kantonen (elections counted up to 4 October 2026), read 24 October 2026 · saved copy (SHA-256 fd812b0d11ac…)
- Federal Statistical Office (BFS/OFS): Kantonale Regierungswahlen: Mandatsverteilung nach Partei und Kanton (T 17.02.06.01, elections counted up to 18 October 2026), read 24 October 2026 · saved copy (SHA-256 b0f5f46a4367…)
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