Differences between female and male city councillors regarding their political recruitment and their political career pattern

Scientific research on the political representation of women in Switzerland has thus far ignored the local state level. An analysis of the possible causes of the existing gender gap in local councils seems promising, though. Given that the careers of Swiss politicians generally start at lower state levels and the proportion of women declines at higher state levels, such an analysis provides insights into issues of political representation that exceed the local context. The present article draws on a comprehensive survey of Swiss city councillors conducted in 2008. The statistical analyses show that - besides structural explanatory factors that operate at the city level - the process of political recruitment has a significant effect on the political representation of women. Furthermore, external factors frequently account for an intended early resignation of female councillors, which could explain the lower proportion of women in cantonal councils and in the national parliament. One factor seems particularly relevant here: female councillors are more frequently elected as candidates of a local list and not as members of a national party. Due to the resultant lack in resources and support, this fact seems to lower the opportunities of advancement for the women concerned.