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Posted on 10/23/2007, 9:24:58 AM by bruinbirdman
Switzerland is likely to adopt tougher immigration policies and a more assertive stance towards the European Union after a stronger-than-expected showing of the ultranationalist Swiss People’s Party (SVP) of Christoph Blocher in weekend elections.
Mr Blocher, a billionaire businessman turned politician, is expected to seek a more prestigious position in the four-party coalition government following the SVP’s success, which saw it win 29 per cent of the vote – the highest share of any Swiss political party since 1919.
The SVP, which ran a staunchly anti-immigrant, law and order campaign, is now expected to use its position in the new government to veto planned liberalisation of job rights for workers from Romania and Bulgaria – the two newest members of the European Union.
Under Switzerland’s treaties with the EU, the country is obliged to open its labour markets to new members of the bloc, as happened with the first first wave of central and eastern European enlargement in 2004.
However, that move provoked controversy in Switzerland and was opposed – unsuccessfully – by the SVP in a referendum campaign, a tactic certain to be repeated by Mr Blocher.
Tensions with Brussels, after a period of relative tranquillity, may grow because of the SVP’s determination to uphold Switzerland’s right to set competitive rates of corporate taxation in the face of claims by the European Commission that the Swiss system represents unfair competition.
Brussels has expressed concerns that Switzerland’s system of tax competition between its 26 cantons may offer an unfair advantage. Prior to the election the two sides were locked in a stalemate which analysts fear may now deepen because of the SVP’s position.
“The result demonstrated that the SVP correctly identified issues, such as problems integrating foreigners, that clearly concern people at a time of globalisation,” said Bianca Rousselot of the GFS social research institute.
Among decisive issues that helped mobilise SVP support was its demand for yet tighter rules on immigration and asylum – already among the toughest in Europe. The party’s election pledges included legislation to allow the forced repatriation of foreign families whose children repeatedly broke the law.
Separately, the unexpected extent of the SVP’s victory may prompt party leaders to lay claim to more prestigious ministerial posts when the newly elected parliamentarians meet on December 12 to appoint the next cabinet.
Switzerland has for decades been governed by a coalition of SVP, left of centre Social Democrats, centrist Christian Democrats and centre right Radicals. The parties traditionally distribute the seven cabinet posts between themselves in a system not linked formally to their strength in parliament.
Ueli Maurer, SVP chairman, said the party’s strong showing would not threaten the consensus form of government. Under Switzerland’s direct democracy, the federal government is checked by regular referendums on important issues.
Switzerland is in a last ditch effort to avoid becoming the newest province of ISlam. THey are still Dar Al Harb at present, thank God.
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I hope his body guards are very good.
They are likely to be tested.
There is that, and the Swiss commitment to neutrality was slowly being discarded, that IMO, is a mistake.
In the recent past the coalition that ran switzerland also talked about scrapping the famous Swiss dedication to a both civilian marksmanship and a Home Guard.
I'm sure there's no bias here. I assume The Financial Times reported on the defeat of the ultrasocialists in several recent EU elections.
Switzerland has for decades been governed by a coalition of SVP, left of centre Social Democrats, centrist Christian Democrats and centre right Radicals
Left of centre Social Democrats and centre right Radicals. No bias there either. Unless of course the name of that party actually is Radical, in which case I am an idiot....
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