The Autonomous Socialist Party (, PSA) was a far-left political party in Switzerland, based in the canton of Ticino.
History The PSA was established in 1966; its founders were former members from the Social Democratic Party who had been expelled for their far-left views.Vincent E. McHale (1983) Political parties of Europe: Poland-Yugoslavia, Greenwood Press, pp912–913 It failed to win a seat in the National Council in the 1971 federal elections, but in the 1975 elections it ran in Ticino in alliance with the Progressive Organizations of Switzerland (POCH), with Werner Carobbio winning one seat. It continued its alliance with POCH for the 1979 elections, retaining its single seat. It retained the seat again in the 1983 and 1987. It was renamed Unitarian Socialist Party in 1988,Nohlen, D & Stöver, P (2010) Elections in Europe: A data handbook, p1899 The PSA was well represented in the Grand Council of Ticino, maintaining between six and nine seats in the legislature (of ninety) constantly between 1971 and 1991. After retaining its seat again in 1991, it merged back into the Social Democratic Party in 1992.
Election history National Council Election Votes % Seats +/– Rank19715,2710.312th 19756,7060.3 113th 19798,1470.413th 19839,9620.514th 198710,8790.614th 199112,0060.615th
Grand Council of Ticino Election % Seats +/– Rank19716.7 64th 19757.6 4th 19799.4 24th 198310.6 4th 198711.0 14th 199110.0 25th
Notable members Werner Carobbio Pietro Martinelli
References