Swiss voters shift right amid concerns about migration

Switzerland’s right-wing populists have increased their political influence after voters’ migration and asylum concerns put them on course to score a historic result in parliamentary elections.

Initial results from Switzerland's 26 cantons yesterday suggested that gains for the anti-immigrant Swiss People's Party (SVP) would tip the parliament in Bern towards a centre-right majority.

"It's clear, the whole migration wave, the migration of people toward Europe is of concern to people," said Toni Brunner, SVP leader, on Swiss television.

According to a projection the SVP won 28 per cent of the vote, one of its best-ever results, gaining 11 seats to 65 in the federal assembly.

Greens lose out

The Social Democrats (SP) ended the evening in second place with a projected 44 seats, down two.

In third place were the centre-right, business-friendly liberals (FDP) with 33 seats, up three.

Losers on Sunday included the Greens and the conservatives.

The result may increase tensions in Bern but is unlikely to lead to any major policy shifts from the seven-member government, with cabinet posts traditionally shared among the major parties under the decades-old “magic formula” agreement designed to ensure political stability.

Ahead of final results today, political analyst Claude Longchamp said: "The combined gains for the parties on the right and a slight polarisation are likely to be the most noticeable result."

Focus on migration

Growing numbers of migrants and refugees moving through Europe have heightened the focus on the issue in

Switzerland

, with every second voter saying it was priority for them in this election – though the wealthy non-EU nation has yet to be affected significantly by the crisis elsewhere in the continent.

Less than 10 per cent said they were most concerned by Switzerland’s relations with the EU, despite uncertainty over bilateral ties after voters last year backed plans to cap inward migration from the bloc.

With around a quarter of Switzerland’s eight million inhabitants foreign nationals, immigration and asylum policies traditionally figure among Swiss voters’ top concerns.