Swiss moving to Right over immigration

Swiss nationalists could take an unprecedented 30 per cent of the vote in Sunday’s general election, fuelled by an aggressive anti-immigration campaign.

Recent polls put the Swiss People’s Party on 29.3 per cent, well ahead of its closest rivals.

The party has blanketed public places with posters showing black boots stamping on the red-and-white Swiss flag with the slogan “Stop Mass Immigration”. The campaign is an echo of earlier graphic campaigns featuring white sheep kicking out a black sheep, or dark hands grasping for Swiss passports.

“We’re not against immigration, we’re against uncontrolled immigration,” said Oskar Freysinger, a hardline People’s Party representative.

The result of the election could prompt a shift in Switzerland’s multi-party, consensus-focused administration. The Swiss People’s Party is expected to demand a second seat in the seven-member Cabinet if it gains a majority at the polls.