Government and politics in Appenzell Ausserrhoden (Ostschweiz, Switzerland): official figures
The canton of Appenzell Ausserrhoden is run by a 5-member cantonal government, elected in 2023, and a 65-seat cantonal parliament, last elected in 2023.
Which party is largest in Appenzell Ausserrhoden?
The largest party in the cantonal parliament of Appenzell Ausserrhoden after the 2023 election is the FDP (The Liberals) with 21 of 65 seats (32.3%).
Source: Federal Statistical Office (BFS/OFS) · saved copyHow many women are in the Appenzell Ausserrhoden parliament?
Women won 23 of the 65 seats in the Appenzell Ausserrhoden parliament in 2023, a share of 35.4% (all cantonal parliaments: 35.0%).
Source: Federal Statistical Office (BFS/OFS) · saved copyWhich parties are in the government of Appenzell Ausserrhoden?
The 5 seats of the Appenzell Ausserrhoden cantonal government (elected 2023, as recorded on 18 October 2026) are held by: FDP (The Liberals) 2, Social Democrats (SP) 1, Swiss People's Party (SVP) 1, other lists 1.
Source: Federal Statistical Office (BFS/OFS) · saved copyWho governs the canton of Appenzell Ausserrhoden?
In Appenzell Ausserrhoden the FDP (The Liberals) holds the most seats on the cantonal executive, 2 of 5, and 3 different parties are represented in it.
Source: Federal Statistical Office (BFS/OFS) · saved copyMore figures
- Seats in the Appenzell Ausserrhoden parliament elected in 2023: FDP (The Liberals) 21, other lists 20, Social Democrats (SP) 10, Swiss People's Party (SVP) 7, Centre party (Die Mitte) 3, Evangelical People's Party (EVP) 2. Source: Federal Statistical Office (BFS/OFS) · saved copy
- With 65 members for 57,221 residents, the Appenzell Ausserrhoden parliament has one seat for every 880 people. Source: Federal Statistical Office (BFS/OFS) · saved copy
How Appenzell Ausserrhoden compares with other cantons in Switzerland
Women in the cantonal parliament (% of seats, latest election) (2026)
Appenzell Ausserrhoden ranks 11 of 26, highest first.
| Rank | Area | Women in the cantonal parliament (% of seats, latest election) |
|---|---|---|
| 8 | Schaffhausen | 36.7% |
| 9 | Genève | 36.0% |
| 10 | Vaud | 36.0% |
| 11 | Appenzell Ausserrhoden | 35.4% |
| 12 | Solothurn | 34.0% |
| 13 | Fribourg / Freiburg | 33.6% |
| 14 | Ticino | 32.2% |
Seat share of the largest party in the cantonal parliament (%) (2026)
Appenzell Ausserrhoden ranks 10 of 25, highest first.
| Rank | Area | Seat share of the largest party in the cantonal parliament (%) |
|---|---|---|
| 7 | Aargau | 34.3% |
| 8 | Vaud | 33.3% |
| 9 | Obwalden | 32.7% |
| 10 | Appenzell Ausserrhoden | 32.3% |
| 11 | Thurgau | 32.3% |
| 12 | Bern / Berne | 31.9% |
| 13 | Basel-Stadt | 31.0% |
Residents per cantonal parliament seat (2025 population) (2026)
Appenzell Ausserrhoden ranks 21 of 26, highest first.
| Rank | Area | Residents per cantonal parliament seat (2025 population) |
|---|---|---|
| 18 | Zug | 1,688 |
| 19 | Schaffhausen | 1,501 |
| 20 | Jura | 1,253 |
| 21 | Appenzell Ausserrhoden | 880 |
| 22 | Nidwalden | 761 |
| 23 | Obwalden | 725 |
| 24 | Glarus | 708 |
SVP share of seats in the cantonal parliament (%) (2026)
Appenzell Ausserrhoden ranks 24 of 25, highest first.
| Rank | Area | SVP share of seats in the cantonal parliament (%) |
|---|---|---|
| 19 | Fribourg / Freiburg | 16.4% |
| 20 | Vaud | 15.3% |
| 21 | Basel-Stadt | 12.0% |
| 22 | Genève | 12.0% |
| 23 | Neuchâtel | 12.0% |
| 24 | Appenzell Ausserrhoden | 10.8% |
| 25 | Ticino | 10.0% |
SP share of seats in the cantonal parliament (%) (2026)
Appenzell Ausserrhoden ranks 15 of 25, highest first.
| Rank | Area | SP share of seats in the cantonal parliament (%) |
|---|---|---|
| 12 | Graubünden / Grigioni / Grischun | 16.7% |
| 13 | Aargau | 16.4% |
| 14 | Luzern | 15.8% |
| 15 | Appenzell Ausserrhoden | 15.4% |
| 16 | St. Gallen | 15.0% |
| 17 | Valais / Wallis | 14.6% |
| 18 | Schwyz | 14.0% |
More on Appenzell Ausserrhoden: overview · economy and jobs · health · education and schools · poverty and living standards · government budget · Ostschweiz · 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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