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Poll boost for Swiss right-wing Record poll win for Swiss right
(about 11 hours later)
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 has won the most votes recorded in a Swiss general election, despite a campaign marred by accusations of racism.
The party, whose campaign was marred by accusations of racism, was predicted to gain seven seats, giving it 62 of the 200 seats in the National Council. The SVP, already the country's largest party, won 29% of the vote and gained seven seats on the National Council.
The SVP appears to have bettered even its own expectations, says the BBC's Imogen Foulkes in Bern. "We have reached the highest score ever since this electoral system began," said party leader Ueli Maurer.
The left, however, is on course for a disastrous result, she adds. The left-of-centre Social Democrats were the biggest losers of Sunday's polls, losing nine seats.
The Social Democrats, the second-largest party, would drop nine seats and be left 43 in parliament, according to projections for the state-owned SRG television and radio networks. A 4% drop on its showing in 2003 elections, Switzerland's second largest party now has 43 seats on the 200-strong National Council compared to the SVP's 62.
It's the party's best score since 1919 Yvan PerrinSwiss People's Party Vote follows ugly campaign Profile: Christoph Blocher We have reached the highest score since this electoral system began Ueli MaurerPresident, Swiss People's Party Vote follows ugly campaign Profile: Christoph Blocher
The Greens looked set to gain five seats and the Christian Democratic People's Party three. The Radicals are predicted to lose five seats. The Greens gained six seats, boosting their representation in the House to 20, while also winning their first position in the 46-member senate, reflecting growing concerns for the environment among Switzerland's electorate.
"It's the party's best score since 1919," said Yvan Perrin, an MP for the Swiss People's Party (SVP). The Christian Democratic People's Party also made gains of three seats, while the Radicals lost five.
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. Despite its success, the SVP - led by Chistoph Blocher - lacks an overall majority and will have to govern in a coalition with other parties.
The party's campaign has caused deep unease among the large immigrant community, our correspondent says. The leaders of the four main parties said they were committed to retaining the system of consensus politics, with cabinet positions shared between the SVP, the Social Democrats, the Radicals and the Christian Democrats.
One single issue dominated the election campaign: foreigners. The four parties have held more than 75% of parliamentary seats for decades.
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. 'Racist' campaign
Four political parties have shared power in Switzerland since 1959 The SVP's campaign caused deep unease among the large immigrant community, reports the BBC's Imogen Foulkes in Bern.
But the party itself insisted the poster was simply an illustration of its campaign to have foreigners who commit crimes deported. One single issue dominated the campaign - foreigners.
Twenty percent of Switzerland's population is foreign and the now notorious poster from the SVP, in which three white sheep kick a black sheep out of Switzerland, was widely regarded as racist.
Four political parties have shared power in Switzerland since 1959But the party 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 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 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.
It also wants to keep Switzerland out of the European Union.
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.