Progressive Organizations of Switzerland

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.

Progressive Organisations of Switzerland
Progressive Organisationen der Schweiz
Organisations progressistes de Suisse
AbbreviationPOCH
Founded1969 (1969)
Dissolved1993 (1993)
Merged intoGreen Party of Switzerland
IdeologyCommunism
Political positionFar-left

History of the POCH

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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

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National Council

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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[1]

See also

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References

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  1. ^ Manuela Ziegler: Progressive Organizations of Switzerland in German, French and Italian in the online Historical Dictionary of Switzerland.