The political parties in Switzerland experienced an increase in their youth departments during the coronavirus pandemic, reported the Swiss public broadcaster RTS on Monday.

Young people in particular are affected by government restrictions on fighting the pandemic. This explains their increased appetite for politics.

Since 2020 the youth section of the Socialist Party has gained 1,889 new members, twice as many as in previous years. The Young Liberals of Switzerland gained 1,425 new members, the Young Greens 1,237 members and the right-wing Swiss People’s Party 1,000.

One way to shape the future

The climate movement had already led to an increase in membership among the Greens, and the trend was intensified by the pandemic. “I have the feeling that many people with the pandemic were able to see how much political decisions affect our everyday lives,” explains Julia Küng, Co-President of the Young Greens. “This encourages some young people to get involved in creating the future they want.”

The pandemic gave the young wing of the Swiss People’s Party (SVP) the opportunity to critically question government policy. “Right from the start, the SVP youth spoke out against health restrictions, against the imposition of social restrictions and the politics of endless restrictions, and this was confirmed by the young people who joined us in droves,” says David Trachsel, President of the SVP youth section.

Political engagement starts earlier

Driven by climate problems and pandemics, the trend was recently confirmed in a study by the GFS Institute in Bern. The majority of 15 to 25-year-olds stated that they would feel politically active for the first time in 2020.

“What certainly played a role were the climate strikes,” says Martina Mousson, project manager at the GFS Institute in Bern. “And then there was this sudden outbreak of the pandemic and policies that have affected the youth.”