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Several parties are contesting the Geneva elections for the first time: a lot of competition for the established parties.
A new parliament will be elected in the canton of Geneva on April 2nd. 690 people stand for election on twelve lists for the Grand Council. That’s more candidates than ever before. 268 of them are women.
In the previous record, 623 people on 13 lists fought for a place in the cantonal parliament in the last elections in 2018.
In addition to the seven parties represented in the cantonal parliament, the Green Liberals are again trying to reach the 7 percent hurdle in order to take a seat in the legislature.
Lots of new competition
There are three new parties among the bourgeois: Libertés et justice sociale by former FDP State Councilor Pierre Maudet (29 candidates), Civis by former Central State Councilor Luc Barthassat (18 candidates) and Elan radical (15 candidates).
On the left, the Ensemble à gauche alliance and the new Union populaire list, with 44 names and 60 candidates respectively, are in the running for seats on the Grand Council.
Legend:
With 690 candidates, there is a great rush for the 100 seats in the Geneva cantonal parliament.
Keystone / MARTIAL TREZZINI
Of the 690 candidates for the legislature, the youngest candidate is 18, while the oldest is 92.
Numerous party changes
In the run-up to the Geneva elections, there were an unusually high number of party changes: eight candidates changed their party booklet.
For political scientist Pascal Sciarini from the University of Geneva, the many changes are surprising. But he also explains: «Geneva is a canton where there has always been political instability. Either politicians resign themselves or they are voted out.”