in the 1970s and 1980s, the sp gained new followers from the new social movements that arose from the protests of 1968, but lost part of their traditional voter base in the working class. this change led to fierce internal disputes and led to a decline in electoral success. after serious losses in the 1987 federal election, the sp was only the third-largest party in the national council. this resulted in the foundation of a breakaway democratic-social party, which was not a success.