Switzerland’s National Elections Hint at Rightward Shift
Concerns About Immigration and Political Correctness Take Center Stage
Switzerland’s national elections on Sunday revealed a potential shift to the right as concerns about immigration and political correctness outweighed worries about climate change and melting glaciers. Early projections by Swiss broadcaster SRF indicate that the right-wing Swiss People’s Party (SVP), the country’s largest political party, is set to increase its share of the vote to 29%, a 3.4 percentage point gain compared to the 2019 election.
Population Control and Economic Concerns Drive Support for SVP
The SVP campaigned on a platform focused on preventing Switzerland’s population, currently at 8.7 million people, from exceeding 10 million. Their stance resonated with voters who were also worried about the slowing economy and rising cost of living, according to pollsters GFS Bern.
Healthcare Costs Boost Support for Social Democrats
On the other hand, rising healthcare costs seemed to benefit the left-wing Social Democrats (SP) who are poised to increase their share of the vote by 0.4 percentage points to 17.2%. The SP, Switzerland’s second-largest party, has gained support from voters concerned about the affordability of healthcare.
Green Party Loses Ground
In contrast, the Green Party is expected to experience a decline in support, with their share of the votes projected to fall by 4.1 percentage points to 9.1%. This shift indicates a shift in priorities among voters, with sustainability concerns taking a back seat to other pressing issues.
Government Makeup Remains Unchanged
Despite these shifts in voter support, the overall makeup of Switzerland’s government, the Federal Council, is unlikely to change. The seven cabinet positions are divided among the top four parties based on their share of the vote.
Changing Tides: From Idealism to Conservatism
Political analyst Michael Hermann from pollsters Sotomo explains that the shift in voter sentiment reflects a move away from idealism and progressivism seen in the previous election. Concerns about “wokeness” and migration have taken center stage, contributing to the success of the SVP. Hermann suggests that fears and security have become more prominent in the minds of Swiss voters.
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