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The '''Swiss People's Party''' or '''Democratic Union of the Centre''' ([[German language|German]]: ''Schweizerische Volkspartei'' - SVP, [[French language|French]]: ''Union Démocratique du Centre'' - UDC, [[Italian language|Italian]]: ''Unione Democratica di Centro'' - UDC, [[Romansch language|Romansch]]: ''Partida Populara Svizra'' - PPS) is a political party in [[Switzerland]] that was founded in 1971 by the merger of the Farmers, Artisans, and Citizens’ Party—generally known as the Agrarian Party—with the Democratic Party. It has pursued [[conservative]] social and economic policies, including lower taxes and reduced spending, as well as the protection of Swiss agriculture and industry. The party has also opposed Swiss membership in international bodies such as the [[United Nations]], which Switzerland did not join until 2002.

The '''Swiss People's Party''' or '''Democratic Union of the Centre''' ([[German language|German]]: ''Schweizerische Volkspartei'' - SVP, [[French language|French]]: ''Union Démocratique du Centre'' - UDC, [[Italian language|Italian]]: ''Unione Democratica di Centro'' - UDC, [[Romansch language|Romansch]]: ''Partida Populara Svizra'' - PPS) is a political party in [[Switzerland]] that was founded in 1971 by the merger of the Farmers, Artisans, and Citizens’ Party—generally known as the Agrarian Party—with the Democratic Party. It has pursued [[conservative]] social and economic policies, including lower taxes and reduced spending, as well as the protection of Swiss agriculture and industry. The party has also opposed Swiss membership in international bodies such as the [[United Nations]], which Switzerland did not join until 2002.

Under the de-facto leadership of strong conservative businessman [[Christoph Blocher]],<ref>Skenderovic, pp. 138-141.</ref> the SVP became the largest party in Switzerland. Over the course of several recent elections, it has continually grown in power and (as of 2016) holds the most parliamentary seats of any party at the federal level. Its policies emphasize free market economics, low taxes, neutrality regarding foreign affairs, a tough stance on crime and a reduction of unwanted immigration. The party has enjoyed repeated success in mobilizing popular majorities for referenda and popular initiatives, often managing to set the political agenda against strong opposition from establishment elites.

Under the de facto leadership of strong conservative businessman [[Christoph Blocher]],<ref>Skenderovic, pp. 138-141.</ref> the SVP became the largest party in Switzerland. Over the course of several recent elections, it has continually grown in power and (as of 2016) holds the most parliamentary seats of any party at the federal level. Its policies emphasize free market economics, low taxes, neutrality regarding foreign affairs, a tough stance on crime and a reduction of unwanted immigration. The party has enjoyed repeated success in mobilizing popular majorities for referenda and popular initiatives, often managing to set the political agenda against strong opposition from establishment elites.

==History==

==History==

===Shift to the right and rise of Christoph Blocher===

===Shift to the right and rise of Christoph Blocher===

[[File:Christoph Blocher (Bundesrat, 2004).jpg|thumb|left|150px|Christoph Blocher around 2007.]]

[[File:Christoph Blocher (Bundesrat, 2004).jpg|thumb|left|150px|Christoph Blocher around 2007.]]

In 1977, [[Christoph Blocher]], a 36 year-old businessman, was elected president of the Zürich branch of the SVP.<ref name="pp.130">Skenderovic, pp. 130.</ref> Under the leadership of Blocher, a strong [[conservative]], the Zürich SVP broke from the rest of the party<ref name="pp.130"/> and adopted a bold right-wing conservative agenda.<ref name="pp.131">Skenderovic, pp. 131.</ref> In the 1979 elections, the Zürich SVP increased their share of the vote from 11.3 to 14.5 percent, the best result in 50 years.<ref name="pp.131"/>

In 1977, [[Christoph Blocher]], a 36-year-old businessman, was elected president of the Zürich branch of the SVP.<ref name="pp.130">Skenderovic, pp. 130.</ref> Under the leadership of Blocher, a strong [[conservative]], the Zürich SVP broke from the rest of the party<ref name="pp.130"/> and adopted a bold right-wing conservative agenda.<ref name="pp.131">Skenderovic, pp. 131.</ref> In the 1979 elections, the Zürich SVP increased their share of the vote from 11.3 to 14.5 percent, the best result in 50 years.<ref name="pp.131"/>

In the 1980s and 1990s, there was a divide between the moderate Bern wing and the new Conservative right-wing Zürich wing.<ref>Skenderovic, pp. 129.</ref> However, mostly in the 1990s, the conservative faction took control of the national party.<ref>Skenderovic, pp. 132-135, 141.</ref> During the same period, the SVP grew dramatically in size, making large increases in its budget and expanding its representation and reach to all 26 cantons.<ref>Skenderovic, pp. 133, 142.</ref>

In the 1980s and 1990s, there was a divide between the moderate Bern wing and the new Conservative right-wing Zürich wing.<ref>Skenderovic, pp. 129.</ref> However, mostly in the 1990s, the conservative faction took control of the national party.<ref>Skenderovic, pp. 132-135, 141.</ref> During the same period, the SVP grew dramatically in size, making large increases in its budget and expanding its representation and reach to all 26 cantons.<ref>Skenderovic, pp. 133, 142.</ref>

The SVP is a national conservative party.<ref name="Nordsieck">Nordsieck, Wolfram (2015). [http://www.parties-and-elections.eu/switzerland.html Switzerland]. ''Parties and Elections in Europe''. Retrieved October 12, 2016.</ref> The SVP supports [[small government]], the [[free market]], Swiss [[sovereignty]], and it opposes the encroachment of Swiss [[independence]], mass [[immigration]], [[Same-sex "marriage"|homosexual "marriage"]], and the [[welfare state]].<ref name="Nordsieck"/><ref>[http://www.swissinfo.ch/eng/yes-or-no-_swiss-political-parties-reveal-their-colours/41640412 Swiss political parties reveal their colours]. ''Swissinfo''. September 11, 2015. Retrieved Ocotber 12, 2016.</ref>

The SVP is a national conservative party.<ref name="Nordsieck">Nordsieck, Wolfram (2015). [http://www.parties-and-elections.eu/switzerland.html Switzerland]. ''Parties and Elections in Europe''. Retrieved October 12, 2016.</ref> The SVP supports [[small government]], the [[free market]], Swiss [[sovereignty]], and it opposes the encroachment of Swiss [[independence]], mass [[immigration]], [[Same-sex "marriage"|homosexual "marriage"]], and the [[welfare state]].<ref name="Nordsieck"/><ref>[http://www.swissinfo.ch/eng/yes-or-no-_swiss-political-parties-reveal-their-colours/41640412 Swiss political parties reveal their colours]. ''Swissinfo''. September 11, 2015. Retrieved Ocotber 12, 2016.</ref>

Successful referendums that the SVP has sponsored include a 2009 initiative to ban the construction of any new minarets,<ref>[http://www.cnn.com/2009/WORLD/europe/11/29/switzerland.minaret.referendum/index.html?iref=24hours Swiss vote to ban minaret construction]. ''CNN''. November 29, 2009. Retrieved October 14, 2016.</ref> a 2010 initiative to expel foreigners who commit crimes,<ref>[http://www.swissinfo.ch/eng/2010-initiative_foreign-criminal-expulsion-law-set-for-october/42001678 Foreign criminal expulsion law set for October]. ''Swissinfo''. March 4, 2016. Retrieved October 14, 2016.</ref> and a 2014 initative to limit immigration by instituting quotas on it.<ref>[http://www.dw.com/en/swiss-voters-narrowly-back-referendum-curbing-immigration/a-17420367 Swiss voters narrowly back referendum curbing immigration]. ''Deutsche Welle''. February 9, 2014. Retrieved October 14, 2016.</ref>

Successful referendums that the SVP has sponsored include a 2009 initiative to ban the construction of any new minarets,<ref>[http://www.cnn.com/2009/WORLD/europe/11/29/switzerland.minaret.referendum/index.html?iref=24hours Swiss vote to ban minaret construction]. ''CNN''. November 29, 2009. Retrieved October 14, 2016.</ref> a 2010 initiative to expel foreigners who commit crimes,<ref>[http://www.swissinfo.ch/eng/2010-initiative_foreign-criminal-expulsion-law-set-for-october/42001678 Foreign criminal expulsion law set for October]. ''Swissinfo''. March 4, 2016. Retrieved October 14, 2016.</ref> and a 2014 initiative to limit immigration by instituting quotas on it.<ref>[http://www.dw.com/en/swiss-voters-narrowly-back-referendum-curbing-immigration/a-17420367 Swiss voters narrowly back referendum curbing immigration]. ''Deutsche Welle''. February 9, 2014. Retrieved October 14, 2016.</ref>

The SVP successfully opposed the 1992 referendum proposing EEA membership for Switzerland, despite the fact that the vast majority of parties supported membership.<ref name="Trampusch"/>

The SVP successfully opposed the 1992 referendum proposing EEA membership for Switzerland, despite the fact that the vast majority of parties supported membership.<ref name="Trampusch"/>