The Local Switzerland

Swiss right-wing leader honoured…with a speciality sausage

Wed, 21 Mar 2018 10:31:29 +0100

One hundred percent Swiss, over-sized and hard-edged: that is how a sausage named after Switzerland’s controversial right-wing leader Christoph Blocher has been described.

Swiss right-wing figurehead Christoph Blocher quits SVP party leadership role

Tue, 06 Mar 2018 16:05:05 +0100

The controversial former head of Switzerland’s right-wing Swiss People’s Party, Christoph Blocher is to step down from his role in the party leadership committee, the party announced on Monday.

Swiss politician quizzed over Nazi-looted painting

Thu, 15 Oct 2015 13:31:46 +0200

UPDATED: A painting by Swiss artist Ferdinand Hodler which its Jewish owner was forced by the Nazis to sell in 1938 has turned up in the art collection of prominent Swiss politician Christoph Blocher.

Blocher still pulls strings for party he boosted

Wed, 14 Oct 2015 19:53:44 +0200

Populist pontificator Christoph Blocher, known for his virulent campaigns against immigration, the European Union and Islam, is not running in Switzerland's upcoming elections, but remains the country's most talked-about politician.

Blocher threatens new immigration initiative

Mon, 17 Mar 2014 11:21:00 +0100

Leading Swiss People’s Party (SVP) politician Christoph Blocher says he is ready to launch a new initiative to ensure that Switzerland applies immigration quotas.

Nationalist politician Blocher cheered by vote

Mon, 10 Feb 2014 12:14:00 +0100

The Swiss People’s Party (SVP) is resurgent in Switzerland after voters on Sunday narrowly backed its initiative to apply quotas to immigrants from the European Union.

Amnesty mocks SVP over asylum laws

Mon, 01 Oct 2012 19:01:00 +0200

The Swiss chapter of Amnesty International is using humour and satire in a new hard-hitting campaign to combat policies that toughen conditions for asylum seekers in Switzerland.

Blocher seeks immunity after raid on home

Thu, 22 Mar 2012 12:45:16 +0100

In a video address recorded at his home and aired on Wednesday, ex-Swiss People's Party leader Christoph Blocher insisted he should be entitled to parliamentary immunity from prosecution.

Police raid Blocher’s house and office

Wed, 21 Mar 2012 13:04:00 +0100

Criminal proceedings have been instigated against Christoph Blocher, the controversial ex-leader of the Swiss People’s Party.

SVP strongman Blocher linked to bank scandal

Tue, 03 Jan 2012 16:34:00 +0100

A scandal that had threatened the standing of the Swiss central bank chief Philipp Hildebrand turned its focus Tuesday to a leading politician and critic of the banker.

Readers flee Basel daily after Blocher takeover

Mon, 19 Dec 2011 14:59:00 +0100

The Basler Zeitung has lost more than 1,000 subscribers in a single week after it was revealed that the paper is owned by the family of far-right Swiss People's Party (SVP) deputy leader Christoph Blocher.

Clamour for SVP renewal after cabinet failure

Thu, 15 Dec 2011 16:13:13 +0100

The far-right Swiss People’s Party (SVP) only has itself to blame for its failure to secure a second seat on the Federal Council , according to a near unanimous national press.