Government and politics in Schaffhausen (Ostschweiz, Switzerland): official figures
The canton of Schaffhausen is run by a 5-member cantonal government, elected in 2024, and a 60-seat cantonal parliament, last elected in 2024.
Which party is largest in Schaffhausen?
The largest party in the cantonal parliament of Schaffhausen after the 2024 election is the Swiss People's Party (SVP) with 21 of 60 seats (35.0%).
Source: Federal Statistical Office (BFS/OFS) · saved copyHow many women are in the Schaffhausen parliament?
Women won 22 of the 60 seats in the Schaffhausen parliament in 2024, a share of 36.7% (all cantonal parliaments: 35.0%).
Source: Federal Statistical Office (BFS/OFS) · saved copyWhich parties are in the government of Schaffhausen?
The 5 seats of the Schaffhausen cantonal government (elected 2024, as recorded on 18 October 2026) are held by: FDP (The Liberals) 2, Swiss People's Party (SVP) 2, Social Democrats (SP) 1.
Source: Federal Statistical Office (BFS/OFS) · saved copyWho governs the canton of Schaffhausen?
No party dominates the Schaffhausen cantonal executive: no list holds more than 2 of its 5 seats, and 3 different parties are represented in it.
Source: Federal Statistical Office (BFS/OFS) · saved copyMore figures
- Seats in the Schaffhausen parliament elected in 2024: Swiss People's Party (SVP) 21, Social Democrats (SP) 16, FDP (The Liberals) 9, Green Liberals (GLP) 5, Greens 3, Evangelical People's Party (EVP) 2. Source: Federal Statistical Office (BFS/OFS) · saved copy
- With 60 members for 90,087 residents, the Schaffhausen parliament has one seat for every 1,501 people. Source: Federal Statistical Office (BFS/OFS) · saved copy
How Schaffhausen compares with other cantons in Switzerland
Women in the cantonal parliament (% of seats, latest election) (2026)
Schaffhausen ranks 8 of 26, highest first.
| Rank | Area | Women in the cantonal parliament (% of seats, latest election) |
|---|---|---|
| 5 | Luzern | 40.0% |
| 6 | Valais / Wallis | 38.5% |
| 7 | Basel-Landschaft | 37.8% |
| 8 | Schaffhausen | 36.7% |
| 9 | Genève | 36.0% |
| 10 | Vaud | 36.0% |
| 11 | Appenzell Ausserrhoden | 35.4% |
Seat share of the largest party in the cantonal parliament (%) (2026)
Schaffhausen ranks 4 of 25, highest first.
| Rank | Area | Seat share of the largest party in the cantonal parliament (%) |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Glarus | 40.0% |
| 2 | Schwyz | 38.0% |
| 3 | Valais / Wallis | 37.7% |
| 4 | Schaffhausen | 35.0% |
| 5 | St. Gallen | 35.0% |
| 6 | Uri | 34.4% |
| 7 | Aargau | 34.3% |
Residents per cantonal parliament seat (2025 population) (2026)
Schaffhausen ranks 19 of 26, highest first.
| Rank | Area | Residents per cantonal parliament seat (2025 population) |
|---|---|---|
| 16 | Graubünden / Grigioni / Grischun | 1,728 |
| 17 | Schwyz | 1,701 |
| 18 | Zug | 1,688 |
| 19 | Schaffhausen | 1,501 |
| 20 | Jura | 1,253 |
| 21 | Appenzell Ausserrhoden | 880 |
| 22 | Nidwalden | 761 |
SVP share of seats in the cantonal parliament (%) (2026)
Schaffhausen ranks 3 of 25, highest first.
| Rank | Area | SVP share of seats in the cantonal parliament (%) |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Glarus | 40.0% |
| 2 | Schwyz | 38.0% |
| 3 | Schaffhausen | 35.0% |
| 4 | St. Gallen | 35.0% |
| 5 | Aargau | 34.3% |
| 6 | Obwalden | 32.7% |
| 7 | Thurgau | 32.3% |
SP share of seats in the cantonal parliament (%) (2026)
Schaffhausen ranks 4 of 25, highest first.
| Rank | Area | SP share of seats in the cantonal parliament (%) |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Basel-Stadt | 31.0% |
| 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% |
More on Schaffhausen: 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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