SWITZERLAND: PEOPLE'S PARTY WINS PARLIAMENTARY ELECTION

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• published: 21 Jul 2015
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French/Ger/Nat The right wing nationalist Swiss People's Party (S-V-P) basked in its new status on Monday a day after it was declared the big winner in Switzerland's parliamentary elections. However despite concern over the parties policies to halt immigration and rule out Switzerland joining the European Union, the Party's President says the S-V-P is not "isolationist" and that Switzerland should remain open to the world. Traditionally the smallest of the four coalition parties, on Monday, the People's Party found itself with the second largest delegation in the 200-seat lower house, or National Council. The party, which pushed for tighter asylum rules during the Kosovo crisis and has attacked its three coalition partners for edging closer to the European Union, was at the centre of attention in an otherwise lacklustre election campaign. With most of the votes now tallied, the People's Party picked up seems set to pick up 15 seats giving it 45 politicians in the National Council. Mainstream parties criticised the party's election platform for fanning fears that prosperous Switzerland was threatened by a wave of immigration from eastern Europe and the middle east. Asylum applications in Switzerland reached new records during the Kosovo conflict earlier this year, increasing concerns of a large influx of refugees. However speaking to APTN, president of the S-V-P, Ueli Mauer, said Switzerland was open to foreigners but would not "tolerate illegal entry and misuse of the right of asylum". SOUNDBITE: (German) "Switzerland, by tradition, is open to the world and one of the most important exporters. our intention, after this election, is to pursue with this image. We don't want to be isolated but we want to be completely independent. We received the majority of the vote not to join the European Union. Switzerland must be an open and neutral country. ...We are open to foreigners but we won't tolerate illegal entry and misuse of the right of asylum." SUPER CAPTION: Ueli Mauer, President, SVP The S-V-P is demanding a centre-right government as well as a second seat in the seven-member cabinet. This signals trouble ahead for Switzerland's four-party grand coalition and a more conservative line in government policy-making. However, in spite of its advance, the People's Party is likely to remain the junior partner in the governing four-party coalition that covers the broad middle of Swiss politics. Under the Switzerland's complicated system of government, parliament's influence is limited, as government members can stay in office for years and 100-thousand signatures are enough to force a national referendum on any issue. However, the election results troubled many Swiss, especially in the French-speaking western parts of the country where there are strong ties to France and the European Union. SOUNDBITE: (French) ) VOXPOP "It worries me a lot because it has been 4 years now that my husband is trying to work in Switzerland" SOUNDBITE: VOXPOP Others were openly hostile to the S-V-P's policies on Europe. SOUNDBITE: (French) ) VOXPOP "He don't even want bilateral accords with the E-U. He decided to be fully anti-European and xenophobe" SOUNDBITE: VOXPOP Switzerland's relationship with the European Union remains a topic of hot debate. The country's E-U application has been frozen since 1992. The present coalition government favours entry into the E-U. But many Swiss, particularly in German-speaking areas, remain unconvinced that it is the best course of action for their tiny mountainous confederation. You can license this story through AP Archive: http://www.aparchive.com/metadata/youtube/61f21eeaccc1175ffa31e7d4913d3a59 Find out more about AP Archive: http://www.aparchive.com/HowWeWork