Skip to: Content
Skip to: Site Navigation
Skip to: Search

July 5, 2008 7:21:07 AM CDT

Learn about Newser Points »

Back to the grid

Swiss MPs Eject Populist Leader

Posted Dec 12, 07 10:59 AM CST in World    Most Covered

(Newser) – Cristoph Blocher, the controversial head of Switzerland's People's Party, has been ejected from cabinet in an unexpected move that could end 50 years of consensus politics. The populist leader was slated for reelection as justice minister, Bloomberg reports, but a surprise deal by the three other parties voted in another People's Party member who didn't seek nomination. MPs broke into applause after the vote.

Blocher's ejection is a watershed in Swiss politics; the so-called "magic formula" has kept the composition of cabinet largely the same since 1959. Now the People's Party is threatening to go into opposition despite being the largest party in parliament. The unwitting justice minister-elect has not yet announced whether she will accept the position.

Source Bloomberg

Editor Recommended

Related News

  • Swiss in Turmoil as Power Sharing Collapses

    Dec 13, 07 11:09 AM CST
    Swiss in Turmoil as Power Sharing Collapses After 49 years, Switzerland’s cozy form of consensus government collapsed today, when the right-wing People’s Party went into opposition, angered by the ejection of one of its members from the cabinet. “You have forced us to go into opposition, destroyed our treasured system of government and sacrificed your sworn interest in concordance, collegiality and tolerance,” the party’s head raged. More »

  • New Swiss Ad: Come Here and Suffer

    Nov 29, 07 8:10 AM CST
    New Swiss Ad: Come Here and Suffer While most countries promote tourism or business opportunities, new Swiss TV spots airing in Nigeria and Cameroon make the nation look blatantly unfriendly, writes the Independent. The ads roll up the red carpet by depicting a destitute African immigrant begging, being chased by police, living under a bridge, and calling home to pretend everything's fine. The tagline: "Fleeing does not mean starting a new life." More »

  • Far-Right Wins in Swiss Election Create Tension

    Oct 23, 07 11:10 AM CDT
    Far-Right Wins in Swiss Election Create Tension Swiss voters delivered a new parliament on Sunday, giving the right-wing Swiss People's Party a consolidated grip on power. But they also gave a seat to the country's first black MP, who told the Times of London that he is fearful of the xenophobia that characterized the recent election, despite his pride at being "a symbol" of a non-racist Switzerland. More »

  • Swiss Rioters Blitz Rightist Rally

    Oct 8, 07 10:45 AM CDT
    Swiss Rioters Blitz Rightist Rally Bern was beset by rioters aiming to thwart a pre-election rally by the rightist Swiss People’s Party, expected to dominate this month's elections with its xenophobic platform. Masked protesters threw bricks and gas bombs and outwitted police by operating in small groups and destroying the party stage. The mayor admitted “impotence” in controlling the weekend riots, reports the Guardian. More »

Swiss Federal Councillor Christoph Blocher, centre, waves to an acquaintance during the re-elections of the Federal Council in the National Assembly in Bern, Switzerland, Wednesday Dec. 12, 2007. Nationalist...   (Associated Press)
Swiss Cantonal Councillor Eveline Widmer-Schlumpf, left, who has been elected as Federal Councillor instead of acting Federal Councillor Christoph Blocher, arrives at the Bundeshaus government building...   (Associated Press)
Left wing parliamentarians applaud in reaction to the announcement that Federal Councilor Christoph Blocher has not been reelected by the Federal Assembly, in the National Assembly in Bern, Switzerland,...   (Associated Press)
National Councilor Hugo Fasel, center, reacts after Swiss minister Christoph Blocher failed the re-election during the re-election of the Swiss ministers in Bern, Switzerland, Wednesday Dec. 12, 2007....   (Associated Press)
Federal ushers empty ballot boxes in the Swiss parliament during the re-election process of the Swiss ministers in Bern, Wednesday Dec. 12, 2007. Nationalist firebrand Christoph Blocher was ousted from...   (Associated Press)
prev    next
play

Threads (1 of 1)

Tags

Switzerland  • Swiss People's Party  • Christoph Blocher


Loading...

Loading...

Related Thread: Switzerland

Next story from this section »

Today's Most Popular


Other World Stories

What is Newser?

2008 Codie Finalist

Newser gives you more news in less time. We search for the best and most important stories all over the web, read them for you, and deliver concise and sharp summaries—along with links to the full text. Newser provides a way to stay on top of an ever-expanding horizon of news and opinion—politics, sports, business, trends, technology, personalities, crimes, and controversies. Newser keeps you not just better informed, but, with our signature graphic interface and smart condensed format, more enjoyably informed.

Learn more »