Changes

Although it has a diverse society, Switzerland has a stable government. Most voters support the government in the armed neutrality underlying its foreign and defense policies. Domestic policy poses no major problems, but the changing international environment has generated a significant reexamination of Swiss policy in key areas such as defense, neutrality, and immigration. Quadrennial national elections typically produce only marginal changes in party representation.  

Although it has a diverse society, Switzerland has a stable government. Most voters support the government in the armed neutrality underlying its foreign and defense policies. Domestic policy poses no major problems, but the changing international environment has generated a significant reexamination of Swiss policy in key areas such as defense, neutrality, and immigration. Quadrennial national elections typically produce only marginal changes in party representation.  

In recent years, Switzerland has seen a gradual shift in the party landscape. The rightist Swiss People's Party (SVP), traditionally the junior partner in the four-party coalition government, more than doubled its voting share from 11% in 1987 to 22.5% in 1999, and finally to 26.6% in 2003, thus overtaking its three coalition partners. This shift in voting shares ended the 44-year old "magic formula," the power-broking agreement of the four coalition parties, and gave a second seat in the 7-person Swiss cabinet to the Swiss People's Party at the expense of the Christian Democrats, now the weakest of the four major parties. For the first time in Swiss history, the SVP has two seats in the government, reflecting its new status as Switzerland's most popular party. As of the 2015 federal elections, the SVP received 29.4% of the popular vote and has 65 seats in the national council, records for the party.<ref>{{cite news|title=Anti-immigration party wins Swiss election in 'slide to the Right'|url=http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/worldnews/europe/switzerland/11939953/Anti-immigration-party-wins-Swiss-election-in-slide-to-the-Right.html|accessdate=19 October 2015|work=The Daily Telegraph|agency=Reuters|date=19 October 2015}}</ref>

In recent years, Switzerland has seen a gradual shift in the party landscape. The rightist Swiss People's Party (SVP), traditionally the junior partner in the four-party coalition government, more than doubled its voting share from 11% in 1987 to 22.5% in 1999, and finally to 26.6% in 2003, thus overtaking its three coalition partners. This shift in voting shares ended the 44-year old "magic formula," the power-broking agreement of the four coalition parties, and gave a second seat in the 7-person Swiss cabinet to the Swiss People's Party at the expense of the Christian Democrats, now the weakest of the four major parties. For the first time in Swiss history, the SVP has two seats in the government, reflecting its new status as Switzerland's most popular party. As of the 2015 federal elections, the SVP received 29.4% of the popular vote and has 65 seats in the national council, records for the party.<ref>{{cite news|title=Anti-immigration party wins Swiss election in 'slide to the Right'|url=https://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/worldnews/europe/switzerland/11939953/Anti-immigration-party-wins-Swiss-election-in-slide-to-the-Right.html|accessdate=19 October 2015|work=The Daily Telegraph|agency=Reuters|date=19 October 2015}}</ref>

On December 10, 2003, [[Christoph Blocher]]—a self-made industrialist and main figure of the right-populist Swiss People's Party known for his strong opinions on asylum and migration and law and order issues—was elected to the cabinet by parliament, replacing the incumbent Christian Democrat Justice and Police Minister Ruth Metzler. The parliament also elected the Free Democrat Hans-Rudolf Merz to replace retiring Finance Minister Kaspar Villiger. Both Blocher and Merz were strong advocates of drastic public spending cuts in order to reduce the country's mounting $102 billion francs state deficit and staunch opponents to Switzerland's entering the European Union. On June 14, 2006, the Federal Council elected Doris Leuthard of the Christian Democratic Party. Leuthard replaced the retiring Joseph Deiss and has assumed the Economics and Trade portfolio that Deiss managed. Leuthard’s election and Deiss’ resignation did not change the dynamics of the Federal Council. Blocher was not re-elected in 2007.

On December 10, 2003, [[Christoph Blocher]]—a self-made industrialist and main figure of the right-populist Swiss People's Party known for his strong opinions on asylum and migration and law and order issues—was elected to the cabinet by parliament, replacing the incumbent Christian Democrat Justice and Police Minister Ruth Metzler. The parliament also elected the Free Democrat Hans-Rudolf Merz to replace retiring Finance Minister Kaspar Villiger. Both Blocher and Merz were strong advocates of drastic public spending cuts in order to reduce the country's mounting $102 billion francs state deficit and staunch opponents to Switzerland's entering the European Union. On June 14, 2006, the Federal Council elected Doris Leuthard of the Christian Democratic Party. Leuthard replaced the retiring Joseph Deiss and has assumed the Economics and Trade portfolio that Deiss managed. Leuthard’s election and Deiss’ resignation did not change the dynamics of the Federal Council. Blocher was not re-elected in 2007.

====EU relations and politics====

====EU relations and politics====

Because every country surrounding Switzerland, with the exception of [[Lichtenstein]], is a member of the [[European Union]], matters related to the EU are prominent in Swiss politics. In 1992, the Swiss government applied for membership in the European Economic Area (EEA), but on a referendum on December 6, 1992, at a "historically high" turnout of 78.7%, the Swiss population narrowly rejected membership in the organization, even though the liberal elites strongly supported membership.<ref name="Arm's length">Miserez, Marc-Andre (December 2, 2012). [http://www.swissinfo.ch/eng/20-years-on_switzerland-poised-to-keep-eu-at-arm-s-length/34083578 Switzerland poised to keep EU at arm's length]. ''Swissinfo''. Retrieved August 16, 2016.</ref><ref name="CH&EU">[https://www.eda.admin.ch/dam/eda/en/documents/publications/EuropaeischeAngelegenheiten/Schweiz-und-EU_en.pdf Switzerland and the European Union] (PDF) (2nd ed.). ''Federal Department of Foreign Affairs''. 2016. Retrieved August 16, 2016.</ref> After that, starting in 1993, several bilateral agreements were adopted between the Swiss Government and the EU, which allowed Switzerland to integrate with the EU without joining the EU or EEA.<ref name="Arm's length"/> In 2001, immediate membership negotiations with the EU were overwhelmingly rejected by the Swiss people, with 76.8% voting against, in a referendum held on March 4.<ref name="CH&EU"/><ref>[http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/europe/1201133.stm Swiss say 'no' to EU]. ''BBC News''. March 4, 2001. Retrieved August 16, 2016.</ref> Despite these victories for EU-sceptics, Swiss voters approved other referendums advocating for increased integration with the EU, including accepting several bilateral agreements and joining the Schengen Area, which removed all border controls, and Swiss voters also rejected several referendums advocating for reversing integration.<ref name="CH&EU"/> Despite this, on February 9, 2014, Swiss voters narrowly approved a referendum proposed by the right-wing and anti-EU [[Swiss People's Party]] that intends to limit immigration through quotas (which violates the EU principle of the free movement of people), requires businesses to give Swiss citizens priority when hiring, and restricts immigrants accessibility to benefits.<ref>Dacey, Jessica & Geiser, Urs (February 9, 2014). [http://www.swissinfo.ch/eng/quotas-and-questions_swiss-agree-to-curb-immigration-and-rethink-eu-deal/37877780 Swiss agree to curb immigration and rethink EU deal]. ''Swissinfo''. Retrieved August 16, 2016.</ref> Additionally, in 2016, Switzerland withdrew<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.eda.admin.ch/content/dam/dea/fr/documents/bundesrat/160727-Lettre-retrait-adhesion-CH_fr.pdf|date=2016-07-27|accessdate=2016-09-13|publisher=[[Swiss Federal Council]]|title=Retrait de la demande d'adhesion de la Suisse a l'UE}}</ref> its frozen application for EU membership, which had been dormant since 1992, accepting a motion introduced by SVP parliamentarian Lukas Reimann.<ref>Goulard, Hortense (June 15, 2016). [https://www.politico.eu/article/switzerland-withdraws-application-to-join-the-eu/ Switzerland withdraws application to join the EU]. ''POLITICO''. Retrieved August 16, 2016.</ref><ref>[http://www.swissinfo.ch/eng/european-policy_swiss-to-withdraw-dormant-eu-bid/42229112 Swiss to withdraw dormant EU bid]. ''Swissinfo''. June 15, 2016. Retrieved August 16, 2016.</ref><ref>[http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-3644697/Switzerland-WITHDRAWS-application-European-Union-member-state-one-week-Brexit-vote.html 'Only a few lunatics want to join the EU now': Switzerland WITHDRAWS application to become a European Union member state one week before the Brexit vote]. ''The Daily Mail''. June 16, 2016. Retrieved August 16, 2016.</ref>

Because every country surrounding Switzerland, with the exception of [[Lichtenstein]], is a member of the [[European Union]], matters related to the EU are prominent in Swiss politics. In 1992, the Swiss government applied for membership in the European Economic Area (EEA), but on a referendum on December 6, 1992, at a "historically high" turnout of 78.7%, the Swiss population narrowly rejected membership in the organization, even though the liberal elites strongly supported membership.<ref name="Arm's length">Miserez, Marc-Andre (December 2, 2012). [http://www.swissinfo.ch/eng/20-years-on_switzerland-poised-to-keep-eu-at-arm-s-length/34083578 Switzerland poised to keep EU at arm's length]. ''Swissinfo''. Retrieved August 16, 2016.</ref><ref name="CH&EU">[https://www.eda.admin.ch/dam/eda/en/documents/publications/EuropaeischeAngelegenheiten/Schweiz-und-EU_en.pdf Switzerland and the European Union] (PDF) (2nd ed.). ''Federal Department of Foreign Affairs''. 2016. Retrieved August 16, 2016.</ref> After that, starting in 1993, several bilateral agreements were adopted between the Swiss Government and the EU, which allowed Switzerland to integrate with the EU without joining the EU or EEA.<ref name="Arm's length"/> In 2001, immediate membership negotiations with the EU were overwhelmingly rejected by the Swiss people, with 76.8% voting against, in a referendum held on March 4.<ref name="CH&EU"/><ref>[http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/europe/1201133.stm Swiss say 'no' to EU]. ''BBC News''. March 4, 2001. Retrieved August 16, 2016.</ref> Despite these victories for EU-sceptics, Swiss voters approved other referendums advocating for increased integration with the EU, including accepting several bilateral agreements and joining the Schengen Area, which removed all border controls, and Swiss voters also rejected several referendums advocating for reversing integration.<ref name="CH&EU"/> Despite this, on February 9, 2014, Swiss voters narrowly approved a referendum proposed by the right-wing and anti-EU [[Swiss People's Party]] that intends to limit immigration through quotas (which violates the EU principle of the free movement of people), requires businesses to give Swiss citizens priority when hiring, and restricts immigrants accessibility to benefits.<ref>Dacey, Jessica & Geiser, Urs (February 9, 2014). [http://www.swissinfo.ch/eng/quotas-and-questions_swiss-agree-to-curb-immigration-and-rethink-eu-deal/37877780 Swiss agree to curb immigration and rethink EU deal]. ''Swissinfo''. Retrieved August 16, 2016.</ref> Additionally, in 2016, Switzerland withdrew<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.eda.admin.ch/content/dam/dea/fr/documents/bundesrat/160727-Lettre-retrait-adhesion-CH_fr.pdf|date=2016-07-27|accessdate=2016-09-13|publisher=[[Swiss Federal Council]]|title=Retrait de la demande d'adhesion de la Suisse a l'UE}}</ref> its frozen application for EU membership, which had been dormant since 1992, accepting a motion introduced by SVP parliamentarian Lukas Reimann.<ref>Goulard, Hortense (June 15, 2016). [https://www.politico.eu/article/switzerland-withdraws-application-to-join-the-eu/ Switzerland withdraws application to join the EU]. ''POLITICO''. Retrieved August 16, 2016.</ref><ref>[http://www.swissinfo.ch/eng/european-policy_swiss-to-withdraw-dormant-eu-bid/42229112 Swiss to withdraw dormant EU bid]. ''Swissinfo''. June 15, 2016. Retrieved August 16, 2016.</ref><ref>[https://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-3644697/Switzerland-WITHDRAWS-application-European-Union-member-state-one-week-Brexit-vote.html 'Only a few lunatics want to join the EU now': Switzerland WITHDRAWS application to become a European Union member state one week before the Brexit vote]. ''The Daily Mail''. June 16, 2016. Retrieved August 16, 2016.</ref>

Despite not being a member of the EU, Switzerland contributes to the EU budget.<ref>[https://www.swissinfo.ch/eng/business/cohesion-fund_swiss-government-wants-to-pledge-more-funding-to-eu-budget/44006944 Swiss government wants to pledge more funding to EU budget]. ''Swissinfo''. March 28, 2018. Retrieved April 21, 2018.</ref>

Despite not being a member of the EU, Switzerland contributes to the EU budget.<ref>[https://www.swissinfo.ch/eng/business/cohesion-fund_swiss-government-wants-to-pledge-more-funding-to-eu-budget/44006944 Swiss government wants to pledge more funding to EU budget]. ''Swissinfo''. March 28, 2018. Retrieved April 21, 2018.</ref>