A large police presence will mark a planned rally by the rightwing Swiss People’s Party in Bern on Saturday ahead of national elections on October 23.
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A similar rally held by the party during the election campaign in October 2007 was marred by violence as hundreds of leftwing militants prevented People’s Party supporters from marching through the capital to the parliament building.
Leftwing activists have called for a gathering “against racism” in Bern on Saturday which will coincide with the People’s Party event.
Around 5,000 people are expected to participate in the People’s Party event. Many will arrive by coach and will be directed to Parliament Square under the watchful eye of party members and private security officials.
Media reports have suggested some 1,000 police officers will be on patrol in Bern on Saturday, although the exact number and cost have not been revealed by authorities.
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Appeals launched in wake of pre-election riots
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Critics accused police of failing to stop the militants while others pointed out that the party of the controversial justice minister, Christoph Blocher, had been stoking tensions with its hardline policies. “I’m saddened by the images of violence,” Calmy-Rey said. “A few hundred extremists can’t endanger our democracy,” she told the SonntagsBlick newspaper. Calmy-Rey said…
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The violence is the latest sign of rising tensions ahead of an unusually divisive parliamentary election later this month. Justice Minister Christoph Blocher – who is also the party’s front man – accused the militants of seeking to suppress the freedom of speech. “This day will go down in Swiss history,” Blocher told a crowd…
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But specialists say the loose grouping of anarchists and extreme leftwing activists does not present a danger to Switzerland’s internal security. Press coverage during the week gave prominence to the rioting against the Swiss People’s Party rally and the forces behind it, speculating that demonstrators were shipped in from abroad. But Jürg Bühler of the…
How Switzerland’s political system of direct democracy works
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Together with neutrality and federalism, direct democracy is a part of the Swiss national identity and helps unite the various languages, religions and cultures in the country. This video gives you a short introduction to this unique political system. (Produced by swissinfo.ch on behalf of the Organisation of the Swiss Abroad)Please note: This video was made in 2011. The political landscape has changed and the numbers are no longer representative. For more recent figures go to the Democracy Barometer project page.
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If you want to start a conversation about a topic raised in this article or want to report factual errors, email us at english@swissinfo.ch.