the populist right wins the legislative elections, far ahead of the socialists

The Swiss populist right won the legislative elections on Sunday, October 22. In a context marked by the resurgence of the migration issue, the terrorist risk in Europe and tensions in the Middle East, the Democratic Union of the Center (UDC) is strengthening its position as the country’s leading political party, with 28.55% votes in the National Council, the lower house of Parliament. This right-wing formation had campaigned against “mass immigration”, “the dictates of gender” And “woke madness”.

The Swiss, who vote in the vast majority by correspondence, were called upon to elect their 200 deputies to the National Council by proportional representation. Far behind, the Socialists (PS) will appear as the second party in the lower house, with 17.96% voices. The Center, with 14.57% of the votes, is ahead of the Liberal-Radical (PLR) for the first time, which falls to 14.38%. The big losers are the Greens who fall back below the 10% mark, at 9.38%, and the liberal Greens, at 7.24%.

On December 13, parliamentarians will designate the seven members of the Federal Council (government), within which the first four parties share the seven ministerial portfolios. The 46 senators of the Council of States, the upper house of Parliament, elected by majority vote, must also be renewed. Second rounds are due to take place in the coming weeks in several cantons.