Swiss People's Party Gains in Election, Green Parties Lose Ground

SVP's anti-immigration stance wins over voters despite environmental concerns, obtaining 62 seats in parliament's 200-member lower house, while Greens' support diluted following recent approval of a climate bill.

The Swiss People's Party (SVP), known for its anti-immigration stance, gained nine seats in the recent election, bringing its total number to 62 in the parliament's 200-member lower house. This marks a significant rebound from the party's losses four years ago.
Despite Switzerland's growing concerns about climate change and record glacier melt, environmentally-focused parties like the Greens and the more centrist Liberal-Greens lost seats, with decreases of five and six seats respectively.
Many voters' support for the Greens was likely diluted due to the recent approval of a climate bill aimed at curbing Switzerland's greenhouse gas emissions. This may have reduced the urgency for voters to support environmental political factions.
The shift towards the SVP reflects a broader rightward turn across Europe, following conservative victories in countries like Greece, Sweden, and Italy, despite Poland's recent rejection of its national conservative government.
The result of the election won't significantly alter the composition of the Federal Council, Switzerland's executive branch, where the SVP already holds two seats. The Council operates like a permanent government of national unity, where no single faction has total control.