You’re the one that I want!
Welcome to the swissinfo blog – slog? – for the 2011 parliamentary elections!
Right, the rugby World Cup final’s just finished so you now have my full attention. I’d like to say I’ll be here until the very final vote is counted, but since it can take up to a month for the official election result, that’s unlikely. I will, however, be keeping a beady eye on the television/radio/social networks/roving swissinfo journalists until we get a “provisional final result” late tonight – minus the occasional Red Bull run to the petrol station (Swiss laws on Sunday shopping leave a lot to be desired…)
Like the Olympic Games, Swiss parliamentary elections come around every four years, and like the Olympics you need drugs to… no, I’d better keep the controversial stuff until the lawyer’s gone to bed.
On the one hand, today is very simple: just under 3,500 candidates are squabbling over 200 seats in the House of Representatives and 44 of 46 seats in the Senate. Advanced maths means not everyone’s going to go home happy.
On the other hand, Switzerland’s unique voting system is far from simple.
I’ll do my best to explain the unfolding drama – whether it’s a comedy or tragedy remains to be seen – in a light and entertaining way, avoiding “fondue journalism” (cheesy and indigestible).
What are the key issues? Who are the winners and losers? Why, where and when? All will become clear.
But it takes two to fondue – if you have any questions, quibbles or quips, drop me an email at english@swissinfo.ch
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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.