Swiss People’s Party can do almost anything – and still win

The right-wing Swiss People’s Party currently dominates Switzerland’s political landscape. With a year to go before the federal elections, the party is stronger than ever. It can afford…

The right-wing Swiss People’s Party currently dominates Switzerland’s political landscape. With a year to go before the federal elections, the party is stronger than ever. It can afford to take risks and expand its support, but this approach is not without potential pitfalls. On December 9, parliament will elect a new cabinet minister. Guy Parmelin, the current economics minister who also holds the rotating Swiss presidency role, is stepping down. His seat on the Federal Council, Switzerland’s executive body, needs to be filled.

This has presented his party, the People’s Party, with unexpected challenges. For weeks, it has struggled to put forward any potential successors. “The country’s largest party appears to be completely overwhelmed and has failed to prepare for the succession of the Vaud politician in the Federal Council, even though his resignation came as no surprise,” declared an editorial in Le Temps newspaper last month. Eight candidates have now entered the race, but ...