Swiss Politics

Blocher divides Swiss politics

This content was published on Oct 21, 2003 But one of the biggest obstacles to the rightwing party’s cabinet bid is likely to be the controversial figure of Blocher himself. Whether they find him liberal and intelligent or crude and arrogant, the Swiss rarely seem to sit on the fence when it comes to Blocher. A member of parliament for almost 25 years,…

Swiss Politics

Higher turnout boosts Rightwing gains

This content was published on Oct 20, 2003 The survey by the GfS research institute also blamed the interior minister, Pascal Couchepin, for the Radical Party’s disappointing performance. Post-election analysis has found that the increase in health insurance premiums – announced ten days ago – and the way Couchepin delivered the news were the main reasons for the party’s poor results. The interior…

Swiss Politics

Rightwing demand threatens consensus politics

This content was published on Oct 20, 2003 But election analyst Claude Longchamp told swissinfo that the party had a right to a second seat and that the system should be able to deal with the change. The party won the largest share of the vote in Sunday’s parliamentary elections and is now the strongest force in the House of Representatives. Shortly after…

Swiss Politics

Rightwing extends reach into western Switzerland

This content was published on Oct 20, 2003 The party won seven seats in the western part of the country – up from just two in the last election – bolstering its claims to be a truly national force. Yvan Perrin, the newly elected People’s Party representative in canton Neuchâtel, says Sunday’s election result shows the party has extended its sphere of influence.…

Swiss Politics

Voters show Swiss abroad the red card

This content was published on Oct 20, 2003 Their failure was shared by a number of prominent Swiss politicians who were also snubbed by voters. The Swiss abroad were unable to make inroads in the House of Representatives despite fielding a record 15 candidates. Efforts by the Swiss People’s Party to gain a seat in Basel Country for Rolf Schudel, a businessman from…

Swiss Politics

Press predict end of “Magic Formula”

This content was published on Oct 20, 2003 According to much of the press, the People’s Party has a legitimate right to seek a second cabinet seat. Under a power-sharing arrangement – known as the “Magic Formula” – in place since 1959, cabinet seats are shared out between Switzerland’s four main parties. The Christian Democratic, Social Democratic and Radical parties each have two…

Swiss Politics

Election confirms polarisation of politics

This content was published on Oct 20, 2003 The centre-left Social Democrats held on to second place, but the two main centre-right parties suffered significant losses. “It’s an astonishing result for Swiss People’s Party,” political analyst Andreas Ladner told swissinfo. “It’s a victory for the Right.” The People’s Party won 55 out of 200 seats in the House of Representatives, while the centre-left…

Swiss Politics

Rightwing wins Swiss parliamentary elections

This content was published on Oct 20, 2003 The party called it a “historic victory” and demanded an additional cabinet seat, putting forward a leading party figure, Christoph Blocher, as its candidate. According to final results released on Monday, the People’s Party gained an additional 11 seats in the 200-member House of Representatives, taking its total to 55. The party’s share of the…

Swiss Politics

Triumphant rightwing wants Blocher in the cabinet

This content was published on Oct 19, 2003 The party called initial results a “historic victory” and demanded an additional cabinet seat, putting forward a leading party figure, Christoph Blocher, as its candidate. The People’s Party looks set to win an additional 12 seats in the 200-member House of Representatives, taking its total to 56. Exit polls show it won 27.2 per cent…

Swiss Politics

Clock ticking for vote counters

This content was published on Oct 19, 2003 Under the Swiss federal system, cantons are free to choose how they process the results, resulting in a variety of methods being used across the country. Cantons have different ways of selecting their counters. While some counters are chosen by the authorities, others are put forward by political parties. In some cantons, people are obliged…

Swiss Politics

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Swiss Politics

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Blocher divides Swiss politics

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Higher turnout boosts Rightwing gains

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Rightwing demand threatens consensus politics

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Rightwing extends reach into western Switzerland

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Voters show Swiss abroad the red card

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Press predict end of “Magic Formula”

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Election confirms polarisation of politics

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Rightwing wins Swiss parliamentary elections

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Triumphant rightwing wants Blocher in the cabinet

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Clock ticking for vote counters

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