The SVP don't have a common policy with regards to the bilaterals. In reality, I hardly expect a party wide renunciation of existing treaties, but they will (as a general rule) fight anything that leans towards being EU compatible. A major flaw in this pre-election period, but not a major one as trade and commerce always finds a way to function with or without officialdom interfering.

As a rule, SVP politicians with foreign trade interests in their daytime jobs will support trade agreements, whilst the domestic farmer types will generally spurn any alignment to Brussels. They know where their farming subsidies come from. Self interest is at the top of everyone's priority list when voting, that's how democracy works, a bunch of ideas molded and sorted by priorities.

The spend a huge amount on advertising on public transport in Geneva, although they have quite low support here

I did not question the importance of Blocher's money for the campaign, I just think the main reason for the constant rise of voters' number after the EEA coup and over more than a decade was mainly caused by many former nonSVP people realizing that those annoying rebels had been right as to the EEA and several other very controversial topics the monopolized later on. Not joining the EEA did not kill Switzerland, as the other parties had tried to make us believe. Quite the contrary.

Other problems the SVP predicted did occur, scandals only the SVP brought to light turned out to be real etc.. Sad thing to say, but those darned bastards often are right.

We cannot expect the voters to keep their eyes shut. The populace is not as stupid as many so called intellectuals believe and many politicians hope. Thanks to direct democracy the political system is very slow but also very stable and reliable.

Party spending on billboard ads is not to influence voters but to mobilize them.

It's a fact that Blocher reminds people of at every turn at least. Whether or not the average voter understands the intricacies is another matter.

That's my impression too. I know some folks who worked at EMS while he was still CEO there and they say that Blocher the guy is totally different from Blocher the politician, saying he did raise the bar very high and expect people to do their best but was also recognising of merit and effort and fair in his treatment of people and not at all discriminatory.

It's some of the other SVP folks such as Giezendanner or Fuchs who you should be watching carefully. Blocher isn't the dangerous one.

yea, unfortunately thats how a lot of people think in this world...

No, that's how most people think in this world...

If you live in Romandie and want a good laugh - buy the new Vigousse Guide: the UDC in 7 lessons! In bookshops now. Vigousse btw is the first Romand satirical newspaper, and my nephew is one of the cartoonists.

A Swiss version of Le Canard enchaîné?

Will definitely look for it next summer!

In this mornings Tages-Anzeiger, the first 3 pages are devoted to parts spending and finance, based on newspaper advertising in the 16 largest papers. On my way to work now but might be able to link up some of the articles later. Basically it shows the general suspicion that SVP has a lot more mo eu than anybody else. Surprisingly though, FDP are not far behind - they must just be doing a fairly bad job to get so few votes. The main gist is that the "Bürgerliche" (cebter-right parties SVP, FDP, CVP, BDP) have more than 80% of all the cash and the left gets many mire votes for each Franken spent. On average, one vote costs 5.-!!

Fully agree. But you can add Schlüer or Mörgeli to that list. And Köppel with his newspaper is probably also part of the scary propaganda machine. However, not sure what is more dangerous - being obviously very right win and anti-foreigner and telling it to the whole world - or in fact caring abou something entirely different but tolerate or even financially support something in your party that you morally disagree with just because it'll get you seats which you require for entirely different purposes...

My guess is that they have to fight against that new rightwing party in Geneva which has the tactical advantage to be Genevois and not "Alémanique". If they get too far below them in the results, this may encourage other people to establish rightwing parties centred on their Cantons

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They did this before in some campaigns about popular votes. Not in spite of but due to their extreme posters-campaign, the lost, and lost rather clearly. There in campaigns is an "overkill-factor", with people getting bored, angry or bored AND angry.

In Zurich, the main-fight is about the two seats in the Senate (Ständerat). The FDP wants to keep Dr Gutzwiller in place, Mrs Verena Diener wants to stay, but has lost a good part of her earlier support from the left. Mr Blocher of the SVP wants to get in. And so wants Thomas Hardegger from the SP. And some others. Which means that there are four heavyweights, even if Mr Hardegger is far less known than the other three.

Mr Blocher has TWO major problems, the City of Zurich and the City of Winterthur where he is most UNpopular. Exactly the areas where Mr Hardegger and Mrs Diener might come top, and which together are half the Canton.

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The FDP is THE party of the Bilaterals ! but nobody at present would speak in favour of joining the E.U.

The Bilateral Process was launched by one of the best Bundesräte Switzerland ever had, Jean-Pascal Delamuraz, who originally was in favour of Switzerland joining the EEA, but then looked for a good alternative, and found it


Jean-Pascal Delamuraz

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Absolutely negative. The SVP has tried to crash the Bilateral Process in various votes, but lost out. They will continue to prevent any progress in regard to European integration.

Regrettably, the lady who won at least three votes against the SVP, is no retiring, Mrs Micheline Calmy-Rey .

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Mr Giezendanner, the great transport-industry tycoon is the big chap, the SVP has in the "reserve". I expect Mr Giezendanner to take a heavier role before too long.

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A big hooha in Le Locle, as it seems workers for the Commune 'accidentally' stuck quite a few more UDC/SVP posters around than their fair allocated space, and in better locations. This has now been re-dressed. However the other parties are also concerned that they are also using many commercially rented boards and advertising areas- which many parties just cannot afford to rent.

Edit:

at the moment there are pages and pages of adverts trying to encourage us to say NON to the 6 weeks holidays and the secondary homes vote. What really surprises me, is that those adverts are not 'signed', not from any particular party or group. So who spends a fortune on those adverts? Who are they? As a 'punter' I feel very uncomfortable being confronted with their flashy propaganda - bright colours and designs look very much like UDC/SVP campaigns- by anonymous people who haven't even got the courage to sign.

Sorry to drag up an old thread but the title seemed very relevant.

There was an article yesterday in NZZ Sonntag that claimed the SVP spent about 12 million CHF on the 2007 SVP campaign. It also claimed that circa 10 million came from Blocher's lawyer; this does not 100% prove the money came from Blocher himself of course.

It does raise the relevant question that "could not the SVP find a better use for 12M CHF than plastering the country with pictures of Blocher".
I am sure there are many deserving Swiss causes who would appreciate a little financial help.