1983 Swiss federal election

Federal elections were held in Switzerland on 23 October 1983. The Free Democratic Party emerged as the largest party in the National Council, winning 54 of the 200 seats. It was the first time the Social Democratic Party had not received the most votes in a federal election since 1925.

Results

Party	Votes	%	Seats	+/–
Free Democratic Party	457,283	23.3	54	+3
Social Democratic Party	447,634	22.8	47	–4
Christian Democratic People's Party	396,281	20.2	42	–2
Swiss People's Party	217,166	11.1	23	0
Ring of Independents	78,292	4.0	8	0
National Action	57,592	2.9	4	+2
Liberal Party	55,326	2.8	8	0
Swiss Progressive Organisations	43,694	2.2	3	+1
Evangelical People's Party	40,837	2.1	3	0
Federation of Swiss Green Parties	37,079	1.9	3	+2
Feminist and Green Alternative Groups	20,063	1.0	0	0
Swiss Party of Labour	17,488	0.9	1	–2
Republican Movement	10,148	0.5	1	0
Autonomous Socialist Party	9,962	0.5	1	0
Independent Social-Christian Party	7,808	0.4	0	New
Federal Democratic Union	7,590	0.4	0	0
Other parties	55,599	2.8	2	–
Invalid/blank votes	30,118	–	–	–
Total	1,989,960	100	200	0
Registered voters/turnout	4,068,940	48.9	–	–
Source: Nohlen & Stöver

Council of the States

Party	Seats	+/–
Christian Democratic People's Party	18	0
Free Democratic Party	14	+3
Social Democratic Party	6	–3
Swiss People's Party	5	0
Liberal Party	3	0
Ring of Independents	0	0
Total	46	0
Source: Nohlen & Stöver