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Elections 2023

Federal elections of 22 October 2023
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  • Election campaign
  • Transparency of political funding in Switzerland
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  • Election campaign
  • Transparency of political funding in Switzerland

Transparency of political funding in Switzerland

Now you can find out who funds the parties represented in the Swiss Parliament, as well as who funds the vote and federal election campaigns. Here is an overview of the new transparency obligations.

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The transparency obligation applied for the first time in connection with the 2023 federal election.
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The obligation of transparency applies to:

  • political parties represented in Parliament and MPs without a party. (Cantonal and local party branches are not affected.)

  • persons and political organisations that spend more than CHF 50,000 on a campaign for an election to the National Council or on a federal vote

  • persons and political organisations that have spent more than CHF 50,000 on a successful election to the Council of States

The obligations of transparency vary depending on the political actors and the campaign. Anonymous donations or donations from abroad are generally prohibited (with the exception of those funding campaigns for the Council of States). Donations from the Swiss abroad are allowed.
Here is an illustration of the funding to be declared by the political actors:
Political parties represented in the Federal Assembly and MPs without a party must declare:

  • all donations (including donations in kind) exceeding CHF 15,000 per donor and per year (along with identification of the donor, value of the donation, and date the donation was made),

  • their income (for parties only),

  • the contributions of their elected representatives and other mandate holders (for parties only).

Individuals and political organisations that spend more than CHF 50,000 on a campaign for a federal vote or election to the National Council must declare:

  • all donations (including donations in kind) received in the twelve months preceding the election that exceed CHF 15,000 per donor (along with identification of the actual donor, value of the donation, and date the donation was made),

  • budgeted income,

  • the final statement of income.

Individuals and political organisations that spend more than CHF 50,000 on a successful election to the Council of States must declare:

  • all donations (including donations in kind) received in the twelve months preceding the election that exceed CHF 15,000 per donor and per campaign (along with identification of the actual donor, value of the donation, and date the donation was made),

  • each anonymous and foreign donation received in the twelve months preceding the election, regardless of its amount. (donations from the Swiss abroad are not affected)

  • the final statement of income.

You can view reported campaign and political party funding data for five years. Here's a look at the deadlines.

Before the election

  • For a National Council or federal election campaign, you can see the budgeted income (including donations pledged or already received) approximately one month before the election.

  • Information on donations received close to the election date is posted as it comes in.

After the election

  • After a National Council or federal election campaign, you can inspect the final campaign statement (including donations received after the vote) approximately two and a half months after the vote.

  • After an election to the Council of States, you can inspect the final campaign statement approximately one and a half months after the elected person takes office.

From 30 August 2024

Parties and MPs without a party must report their annual funding by 30 June of the following year. You can access this information from 30 August 2024.
The Swiss Federal Audit Office checks whether the declarations are complete and submitted on time. It carries out sample checks on the accuracy of the information provided.
It reports any infringements to the prosecution authorities. Persons or organisations prosecuted face a fine of up to CHF 40,000.
The Swiss Federal Audit Office also helps political actors to fulfil all their reporting obligations. It offers them information and training in the use of the electronic register.

  • The Swiss Federal Audit Office provides information on the transparency of political funding

  • The Federal Office of Justice provides information on the transparency of political funding (link available in German, French and Italian)

  • Federal Act on Political Rights (link to this act available in German, French and Italian)

  • Ordinance on Transparency in Political Funding (link to this ordinance available in German, French and Italian)

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A service of the Federal Chancellery, the Parliamentary Services, the Federal Statistical Office and the cantons

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