Swiss elections: Another blow for Europe’s Far-Right! |
| Posted by Administrator (admin) on 05.11.2011 |
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The European Network Against Racism (ENAR) welcomes the results of the elections in Switzerland on 23 October, showing a positive shift away from the disturbing trend of the last two decades where the populist Swiss People's Party was continuously gaining ground in Swiss politics. However, for the first time in twenty years, the elections suggest that the Swiss are turning away from these populist ideologies -- yet another indicator of what objectively appears to be the diminishing influence of the far-right movement in Europe. This also proved to be the case in Denmark where the results of the elections last month put an end to the harmful influence of the far right Danish People’s Party in the previous centre-right coalition government.
The terrorist attacks in Norway by far-right extremist Anders Breivik, although tragic, served as a wake-up call to many Europeans. Many no longer want to support destructive, xenophobic and populist ideologies, and wish to stamp out the parties and movements endorsing them.
In recent years, the Swiss People’s Party had exploited feelings of fear among the Swiss population by launching several xenophobic campaigns, making dangerous amalgams between immigration, Islam and criminality. These elections, do not only reflect the weakening of such ideologies in Switzerland, but also confirm a new positive trend in Europe as a whole.
We need to celebrate these positive changes. These shifts show that the rise of the far-right movement is not unstoppable and that European citizens do not believe in an anti-immigrant and xenophobic Europe. We know that right-wing populism is far from over and that we still have a long way to go before we achieve full equality and real solidarity, however we are confident that its diminishing support proves that such discourses will, eventually, no longer stand.
Last changed: 05.11.2011 at 17:56
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