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Swiss voting for new parliament Poll boost for Swiss right-wing
(about 7 hours later)
Officials in Switzerland have begun counting ballots from the country's general election, following a campaign marred by accusations of racism. The right-wing Swiss People's Party looks set to increase its lead in parliament, according to projections released after polls closed on Sunday.
The right-wing Swiss People's Party, already the largest party in Switzerland's parliament, looks set to get the biggest share of the vote. The party, whose campaign was marred by accusations of racism, was predicted to gain six seats, giving it 61 of the 200 seats in the National Council.
Switzerland's system of proportional representation means the party cannot hope for an overall majority. It appears to have bettered even its own expectations, says the BBC's Imogen Foulkes in Bern.
But the campaign has caused deep unease among the large immigrant community. The left, however, had a disastrous result, she said.
The Social Democrats, the second-largest party, would drop nine seats, according to projections for the state-owned SRG television and radio networks.
The Greens looked set to gain four.
"It's the party's best score since 1919," said Yvan Perrin, an MP for the Swiss People's Party (SVP).
It was already the largest party in Switzerland's parliament. Without an overall majority, however, it can only hope to govern in coalition with other parties.
The party's campaign has caused deep unease among the large immigrant community, our correspondent says.
One single issue dominated the election campaign: foreigners.One single issue dominated the election campaign: foreigners.
Twenty percent of Switzerland's population is foreign and the now notorious poster from the right-wing Swiss People's Party, in which three white sheep kick a black sheep out of Switzerland, was widely regarded as racist.Twenty percent of Switzerland's population is foreign and the now notorious poster from the right-wing Swiss People's Party, in which three white sheep kick a black sheep out of Switzerland, was widely regarded as racist.
Vote follows ugly canpaign Profile: Christoph Blocher Vote follows ugly campaign Profile: Christoph Blocher
But the party itself insisted the poster was simply an illustration of its campaign to have foreigners who commit crimes deported.But the party itself insisted the poster was simply an illustration of its campaign to have foreigners who commit crimes deported.
That campaign does seem to have struck a chord with voters.That campaign does seem to have struck a chord with voters.
The party has been leading in the opinion polls, and it is likely to get the biggest share of the vote. The SVP will see its big share of the vote as a mandate to push forward policies like the deportation of foreign criminals, and a ban on building minarets, our correspondent says.
The People's Party will see that as a mandate to push forward policies like the deportation of foreign criminals, and a ban on building minarets.
Opponents fear growing divisions in Swiss society and damage to Switzerland's reputation for consensus and tolerance.Opponents fear growing divisions in Swiss society and damage to Switzerland's reputation for consensus and tolerance.