Swiss Politics

Switzerland braced for Blocher shockwave

This content was published on Dec 10, 2003 The rightwing Swiss People’s Party was rewarded for its success in October’s parliamentary election with a second cabinet seat. Blocher, the outspoken leader of the party’s Zurich branch, replaces the Christian Democrat minister, Ruth Metzler. Blocher is known for his opposition to the EU and his hardline attitude on asylum. His presence in the cabinet,…

Swiss Politics

Blocher victory overturns old order

This content was published on Dec 10, 2003 Blocher replaces the Christian Democrat justice minister, Ruth Metzler, shifting the balance of power for the first time in 44 years. Hans-Rudolf Merz of the centre-right Radicals was elected to replace Kaspar Villiger, who is retiring as finance minister. Blocher’s success changes an informal power-sharing arrangement among the four main political parties – known as…

Swiss Politics

Information Summit kicks off in Geneva

This content was published on Dec 10, 2003 The three-day United Nations gathering officially got underway on Wednesday in Geneva. Pascal Couchepin, president of the event’s host country, opened the summit at a ceremony involving thousands of delegates. “I’m overjoyed to welcome you to Switzerland for this summit,” Couchepin told the crowd. “We are proud to host this summit, which, for the first…

Swiss Politics

Deiss elected president

This content was published on Dec 10, 2003 Deiss received 174 votes in the election for the rotating post of president, while Schmid won 143 votes in his ballot.The justice minister, Ruth Metzler, was due to become president, but she was not re-elected by parliament.

Swiss government enters new era

This content was published on Dec 10, 2003 By a narrow majority of five parliamentary votes, Blocher unseated the Christian Democrat justice minister, Ruth Metzler. Hans-Rudolf Merz of the centre-right Radicals was elected to replace Kaspar Villiger, who is retiring as finance minister. Blocher’s election brings an end to a power-sharing arrangement – known as the Magic Formula – which has been in…

Swiss Politics

New cabinet sworn in

This content was published on Dec 10, 2003 The cabinet is also made up of two representatives of the centre-right Radical Party, the centre-left Social Democrats and one member of the centre-right Christian Democrats. But only one woman remains in government after the Christian Democrat justice minister, Ruth Metzler, was unseated.

Blocher becomes one of them

This content was published on Dec 10, 2003 Parliament nevertheless elected him on Wednesday. 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, 63-year-old Blocher is used to dividing opinions over issues such as asylum seekers and Swiss membership…

Calmy-Rey overwhelmingly re-elected

This content was published on Dec 10, 2003 Calmy-Rey scored the second best result in the cabinet elections behind her colleague from the Social Democratic Party, Moritz Leuenberger.

Swiss Politics

Schmid also re-elected

This content was published on Dec 10, 2003 Schmid – who holds the defence portfolio – was first elected to cabinet three years ago. There is speculation that he could opt for another ministry in a possible cabinet reshuffle.

Deiss remains in cabinet

This content was published on Dec 10, 2003 Deiss, who joined the government nearly five years ago, won 138 votes.The rightwing People’s Party, who had promised to challenge Deiss’s seat, succeeded in unseating his party colleague, Ruth Metzler, in an earlier round of voting.

Swiss Politics

Popular Stories

Most Discussed

Sign in and personalize Swissinfo

Swiss Politics

More

Switzerland braced for Blocher shockwave

More

Blocher victory overturns old order

More

Information Summit kicks off in Geneva

More

Deiss elected president

More

Swiss government enters new era

More

New cabinet sworn in

More

Blocher becomes one of them

More

Calmy-Rey overwhelmingly re-elected

More

Schmid also re-elected

More

Deiss remains in cabinet

Popular Stories

Most Discussed