Financial Times FT.com

Swiss set for tougher EU stance after poll

By Haig Simonian in Zurich

Published: October 22 2007 21:37 | Last updated: October 22 2007 21:37

Switzerland is likely to adopt tougher immigration policies and a more assertive stance towards the European Union after a stronger-than-expected showing of the ultranationalist Swiss People’s Party (SVP) of Christoph Blocher in weekend elections.

Mr Blocher, a billionaire businessman turned politician, is expected to seek a more prestigious position in the four-party coalition government following the SVP’s success, which saw it win 29 per cent of the vote – the highest share of any Swiss political party since 1919.

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