Snappy newsletters. Simple Facebook sharing. Spirited comments. Sweet features are waiting… GET THEM NOW!

Hot on Facebook
Guy Buys $123 Safe on eBay, Finds $26,000 Inside Seller tries to get half the cash back, fails »

Swiss MPs Eject Populist Leader

Surprise move blocks Blocher from cabinet post

By Jason Farago,  Newser Staff

Posted Dec 12, 2007 10:59 AM CST

(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.

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 firebrand Blocher was ousted from the Swiss Cabinet in parliamentary voting. His anti-immigration policies angered the center and leftist members of...
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)
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, Wednesday Dec. 12, 2007. Nationalist firebrand Blocher was ousted from the Swiss Cabinet in parliamentary voting. His anti-immigration policies angered the...
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. Nationalist firebrand Blocher was ousted from the Swiss Cabinet in parliamentary voting. His anti-immigration policies angered the center and leftist members of...
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 the Swiss Cabinet in parliamentary voting.  His anti-immigration policies angered the center and leftist members of the coalition government. He...
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)
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 in Bern, Switzerland, Wednesday Dec. 12, 2007. Widmer-Schlumpf was not present at the vote, and it was not immediately clear if she would accept...
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)
« Prev« Prev | Next »Next » Slideshow
To report an error on this story, notify our editors.
A snapshot of the day's best news stories.
 
COMMENTS
Be the first to comment on this story.

More Newser Stories

Swiss in Turmoil as Power Sharing Collapses

New Swiss Ad: Come Here and Suffer

Far-Right Wins in Swiss Election Create Tension

Swiss Rioters Blitz Rightist Rally

Swiss Vote to Expel Foreign Criminals


NEWS FROM OUR PARTNERS
Other Sites We Like:   24/7 Wall St.   |   Betty Confidential   |   BuzzFeed   |   Cracked   |   Fark   |   Timelines   |   The Frisky   |   Geek Sugar   |   NewsOne