Swiss Parliamentary Elections: A New Political Landscape Unfolds
The recently held parliamentary elections in Switzerland witnessed a notable voter turnout of 47%. The right-wing Swiss People's Party (SVP), led by Marco Chiesa, emerged victorious, securing the majority of votes.
With 62 seats and 28 percent of the votes, the SVP has now become the country's leading political party. This achievement represents only a marginal increase of just over three percent compared to the previous period. Following closely behind, the Social Democrats attained the second position with 41 seats, while the Radical-Liberal Party secured the third spot with 29 seats. Lastly, the Center Party clinched the fourth position with 28 seats. The significance of these four parties lies in their role in shaping Switzerland's future coalition government.
According to the long-standing tradition in Switzerland known as the "magic formula," established since the 1950s, the first three parties appoint two ministers each, while the fourth party appoints one minister from the seven-member government, thus determining the composition of the Swiss government.
The political structure of Switzerland places paramount importance on its legislature, consisting of two chambers: the National Council with 200 seats and the Council of States with 46 seats. In the recent election, the fate of nine cantons for the Council of States will be determined in the second round, as no representative managed to secure more than 50 percent of the votes. Nevertheless, it is noteworthy that the right-wing radicals have garnered the most votes thus far, enjoying a majority in both houses.
Given Switzerland's legislative process, requiring the approval of both chambers to pass a law, the right-wing parties are expected to face minimal obstacles in fulfilling the pledges given during the election campaigns. Many observers concur that the recent election and its repercussions represent a sort of revolution by the Swiss people, who were primarily concerned with livelihood and immigration issues. Intriguingly, climate and environmental concerns did not hold much sway during this period, as evidenced by the failure of the Green Party to make significant headway in the election.
This failure underscores their inability to effectively communicate the importance of environmental issues to Swiss voters, resulting in their diminished performance.
The significance of this issue becomes even more pronounced when considering that the balance of power in parliament now tilts further towards the populist right. This shift raises concerns for Switzerland's future, including potential humanitarian challenges, instances of racism, ethnic conflicts, and the potential for the extreme right to exploit the social circumstances. Now, the question which arises is: How did the SVP manage to maintain its popularity? Over the past few years, the party has focused on two key issues. First, it has strongly opposed mass immigration, labeling it as "reckless madness." Second, it envisions a population of 10 million by 2050, a significant increase from Switzerland's current population of 8.8 million.
On the other hand, the SVP waged an extensive and implacable media campaign, magnifying the challenges posed by immigration and successfully instilling fear among the populace. This fear-mongering strategy proved effective, with even some members of parliament acknowledging the deteriorating security landscape of the country. In fact, SVP’s tried-and-tested approach, rooted in deep xenophobia, resonated with a large segment of the electorate. Additionally, the party employed massive propaganda, urging voters to support their cause by appealing to the notion of Switzerland’s gradual cultural obsolescence caused by foreign immigrants. This strategy successfully attracted a portion of the undecided electorate, effectively utilizing the tools at their disposal.
In a country where natural glaciers are melting, the SVP skillfully redirected the focus towards security and immigration as the primary concerns. This dramatic shift manifests an increasing conservative tendency among the Swiss population. The People's Party effectively tapped into the collective consciousness, effectively guiding public opinion towards their desired objectives.
Meanwhile, the victory of the extreme right in these elections carries significant implications, echoing a broader trend seen across Europe. Switzerland, despite boasting an unemployment rate below 2% and a high per capita income, has not been immune to this phenomenon. This outcome may not be welcomed by proponents of European Union integration. Although Switzerland is not an EU member, it maintains substantial cooperation with the Union. The SVP staunchly opposes comprehensive collaboration with the European Union, signaling a probable shift towards stricter immigration policies in the coming four years.
Furthermore, the government's emphasis on prioritizing the Swiss economy over other partners and its firm stance against illegal asylum seekers may exacerbate human rights challenges within the land-locked country and potentially strain relationships with neighboring nations. Over time, these challenges could lead to increased distance between Switzerland and its neighbors, ultimately posing a formidable concern for the country's future.
Overall, the Swiss parliamentary elections have heralded a new political landscape, with the right-wing People's Party emerging as the dominant force. The ramifications of this outcome extend beyond Switzerland's borders, raising questions about the future of immigration, human rights, and regional cooperation. As the country sets its course for the next four years, observers will closely monitor the impact of this rightward shift on Switzerland's domestic and international policies.
