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

August 21, 2008 5:43:22 PM CDT

Learn about Newser Points »

« Back to the grid | Next story »

Swiss Rioters Blitz Rightist Rally

Posted Oct 8, 07 10:45 AM CDT in World 

(Newser) – 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.

The Swiss People's Party has made electoral gains with its recent anti-foreigner campaign, including a widely reported poster of three white sheep nudging a black sheep off a Swiss flag. It has also campaigned to outlaw minarets and to deport the families of convicted immigrants. Its blunt rhetoric that foreigners “are shamelessly abusing Swiss hospitality” has attracted UN condemnation.

Source Guardian (UK)

0 comments | Print E-mail | Digg Seed this on Newsvine Add this link to Del.icio.us StumbleUpon

Related Newser Stories

  • 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 »

  • Swiss MPs Eject Populist Leader

    Dec 12, 07 10:59 AM CST
    Swiss MPs Eject Populist Leader 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. 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 Party Aims to Boot Immigrants

    Sep 1, 07 11:27 AM CDT
    Swiss Party Aims to Boot Immigrants Using the image of three white sheep kicking a black sheep out, Switzerland’s biggest political party has begun a campaign to institute mandatory deportation of criminal immigrants and their families. Though critics compare the proposal to Hitler and Stalin practices, the party is expected to prevail in October elections. "We haven't had any complaints," said the party president. More »

FILE ** Ueli Maurer, President of the Swiss People's Party SVP, smiles in front of a campaign poster reading "create security", during a press conference in Bern, Switzerland, in this July 13, 2007 file...   (Associated Press)
Excursionists enjoy the sun above a sea of fog, on the 2,132 meter high Pilatus mountain near Lucerne, Switzerland, Sunday, Oct. 7, 2007. (AP Photo/KEYSTONE/Alessandro Della Bella)   (Associated Press)
Riot police officers.   (Getty Images (by Event))
« Prev« Prev | Next »Next » Slideshow

Tags

immigrant  • Switzerland  • xenophobia  • Swiss People's Party  • Christoph Blocher  • racist


Loading...

Premium Articles from HighBeam

Find more articles like this

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 »