Government and politics in St. Gallen (Ostschweiz, Switzerland): official figures
The canton of St. Gallen is run by a 7-member cantonal government, elected in 2024, and a 120-seat cantonal parliament, last elected in 2024.
Which party is largest in St. Gallen?
The largest party in the cantonal parliament of St. Gallen after the 2024 election is the Swiss People's Party (SVP) with 42 of 120 seats (35.0%).
Source: Federal Statistical Office (BFS/OFS) · saved copyHow many women are in the St. Gallen parliament?
Women won 34 of the 120 seats in the St. Gallen parliament in 2024, a share of 28.3% (all cantonal parliaments: 35.0%).
Source: Federal Statistical Office (BFS/OFS) · saved copyWhich parties are in the government of St. Gallen?
The 7 seats of the St. Gallen cantonal government (elected 2024, as recorded on 18 October 2026) are held by: FDP (The Liberals) 2, Social Democrats (SP) 2, Centre party (Die Mitte) 2, Swiss People's Party (SVP) 1.
Source: Federal Statistical Office (BFS/OFS) · saved copyWho governs the canton of St. Gallen?
No party dominates the St. Gallen cantonal executive: no list holds more than 2 of its 7 seats, and 4 different parties are represented in it.
Source: Federal Statistical Office (BFS/OFS) · saved copyMore figures
- Seats in the St. Gallen parliament elected in 2024: Swiss People's Party (SVP) 42, Centre party (Die Mitte) 27, FDP (The Liberals) 19, Social Democrats (SP) 18, Green Liberals (GLP) 6, Greens 6. Source: Federal Statistical Office (BFS/OFS) · saved copy
- With 120 members for 544,040 residents, the St. Gallen parliament has one seat for every 4,534 people. Source: Federal Statistical Office (BFS/OFS) · saved copy
How St. Gallen compares with other cantons in Switzerland
Women in the cantonal parliament (% of seats, latest election) (2026)
St. Gallen ranks 20 of 26, highest first.
| Rank | Area | Women in the cantonal parliament (% of seats, latest election) |
|---|---|---|
| 17 | Thurgau | 30.8% |
| 18 | Aargau | 30.0% |
| 19 | Nidwalden | 28.3% |
| 20 | St. Gallen | 28.3% |
| 21 | Zug | 27.5% |
| 22 | Glarus | 26.7% |
| 23 | Obwalden | 25.5% |
Seat share of the largest party in the cantonal parliament (%) (2026)
St. Gallen ranks 5 of 25, highest first.
| Rank | Area | Seat share of the largest party in the cantonal parliament (%) |
|---|---|---|
| 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% |
| 8 | Vaud | 33.3% |
Residents per cantonal parliament seat (2025 population) (2026)
St. Gallen ranks 6 of 26, highest first.
| Rank | Area | Residents per cantonal parliament seat (2025 population) |
|---|---|---|
| 3 | Vaud | 5,758 |
| 4 | Genève | 5,371 |
| 5 | Aargau | 5,313 |
| 6 | St. Gallen | 4,534 |
| 7 | Ticino | 3,998 |
| 8 | Luzern | 3,679 |
| 9 | Basel-Landschaft | 3,376 |
SVP share of seats in the cantonal parliament (%) (2026)
St. Gallen ranks 4 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)
St. Gallen ranks 16 of 25, highest first.
| Rank | Area | SP share of seats in the cantonal parliament (%) |
|---|---|---|
| 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% |
| 19 | Thurgau | 13.8% |
More on St. Gallen: 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…)
Each saved copy is the file exactly as downloaded, kept so the figures can be checked even if the source changes. Report an error.