The Progressive Organisations of Switzerland (POCH; German: Progressive Organisationen der Schweiz; French: Organisations progressistes de Suisse) was a communist party founded in 1969. Most of its members were from a university background.
History of the POCH
In 1977, many women’s groups split from the party to form the Organisation for the cause of women (German:Organisation für die Sache der Frau (OFRA)).
In 1987, the POCH distanced itself from Marxism-Leninism and changed its name to POCH-Grüne (POCH-Greens). After the disbandment of numerous canton parties between the late 1970s and 1993, many members changed their party affiliation to the Green Party of Switzerland. The last section of the party in Basel-City disbanded in 1993, spawning the Basel’s strong alternative (German: Basels starke Alternative) in 1995.
Election results
National Council
| Election year | Vote % | No. of seats won | +/– |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1971 | 0.1 | 0 / 200
|
new |
| 1975 | 1.0 | 0 / 200
|
|
| 1979 | 1.7 | 2 / 200
|
 2
|
| 1983 | 2.2 | 3 / 200
|
1
|
| 1987 | 1.3 | 3 / 200
|
|
| 1991 | 0.2 | 0 / 147
|
 3
|
| Source: Federal Statistical Office[2] | |||
See also
References
- ^ Doherty, Brian (1992). “The fundi‐realo controversy: An analysis of four European green parties”. Environmental Politics. 1 (1): 95–120. doi:10.1080/09644019208414010. Retrieved 23 March 2026.
- ^ Manuela Ziegler: ”Progressive Organizations of Switzerland” in German, French and Italian in the online Historical Dictionary of Switzerland.
