Government and politics in Vaud (Région lémanique, Switzerland): official figures
The canton of Vaud is run by a 7-member cantonal government, elected in 2022, and a 150-seat cantonal parliament, last elected in 2022.
Which party is largest in Vaud?
The largest party in the cantonal parliament of Vaud after the 2022 election is the FDP (The Liberals) with 50 of 150 seats (33.3%).
Source: Federal Statistical Office (BFS/OFS) · saved copyHow many women are in the Vaud parliament?
Women won 54 of the 150 seats in the Vaud parliament in 2022, a share of 36.0% (all cantonal parliaments: 35.0%).
Source: Federal Statistical Office (BFS/OFS) · saved copyWhich parties are in the government of Vaud?
The 7 seats of the Vaud cantonal government (elected 2022, as recorded on 18 October 2026) are held by: FDP (The Liberals) 3, Social Democrats (SP) 2, Centre party (Die Mitte) 1, Greens 1.
Source: Federal Statistical Office (BFS/OFS) · saved copyWho governs the canton of Vaud?
In Vaud the FDP (The Liberals) holds the most seats on the cantonal executive, 3 of 7, and 4 different parties are represented in it.
Source: Federal Statistical Office (BFS/OFS) · saved copyMore figures
- Seats in the Vaud parliament elected in 2022: FDP (The Liberals) 50, Social Democrats (SP) 32, Greens 25, Swiss People's Party (SVP) 23, Green Liberals (GLP) 11, other lists 5. Source: Federal Statistical Office (BFS/OFS) · saved copy
- With 150 members for 863,650 residents, the Vaud parliament has one seat for every 5,758 people. Source: Federal Statistical Office (BFS/OFS) · saved copy
How Vaud compares with other cantons in Switzerland
Women in the cantonal parliament (% of seats, latest election) (2026)
Vaud ranks 10 of 26, highest first.
| Rank | Area | Women in the cantonal parliament (% of seats, latest election) |
|---|---|---|
| 7 | Basel-Landschaft | 37.8% |
| 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% |
Seat share of the largest party in the cantonal parliament (%) (2026)
Vaud ranks 8 of 25, highest first.
| Rank | Area | Seat share of the largest party in the cantonal parliament (%) |
|---|---|---|
| 5 | St. Gallen | 35.0% |
| 6 | Uri | 34.4% |
| 7 | Aargau | 34.3% |
| 8 | Vaud | 33.3% |
| 9 | Obwalden | 32.7% |
| 10 | Appenzell Ausserrhoden | 32.3% |
| 11 | Thurgau | 32.3% |
Residents per cantonal parliament seat (2025 population) (2026)
Vaud ranks 3 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)
Vaud ranks 20 of 25, highest first.
| Rank | Area | SVP share of seats in the cantonal parliament (%) |
|---|---|---|
| 17 | Valais / Wallis | 20.0% |
| 18 | Jura | 18.3% |
| 19 | Fribourg / Freiburg | 16.4% |
| 20 | Vaud | 15.3% |
| 21 | Basel-Stadt | 12.0% |
| 22 | Genève | 12.0% |
| 23 | Neuchâtel | 12.0% |
SP share of seats in the cantonal parliament (%) (2026)
Vaud ranks 7 of 25, highest first.
| Rank | Area | SP share of seats in the cantonal parliament (%) |
|---|---|---|
| 4 | Schaffhausen | 26.7% |
| 5 | Bern / Berne | 22.5% |
| 6 | Basel-Landschaft | 22.2% |
| 7 | Vaud | 21.3% |
| 8 | Solothurn | 21.0% |
| 9 | Zürich | 20.0% |
| 10 | Fribourg / Freiburg | 19.1% |
More on Vaud: overview · economy and jobs · health · education and schools · poverty and living standards · government budget · Région lémanique · 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.