Switzerland elections: polls suggest Green and Liberal Green gains

As the environmental issues have been a great concern this year, the green parties in Switzerland have an opportunity over the populist right in the parliament election which is to be held on October 20. According to the recent polls, the two groups that stand in the gain seats are the Greens and the Liberal Greens. Voters will be electing the 200-member National Council and the 46-member Council of State for the four-year term. 

The presidential elections

The Green Party has reportedly never performed well enough to claim a Federal Council seat but this year it is believed that it could push its way into the executive branch through a coalition with the Green Liberal Party. It was reported that the students and many others have marched on public offices repeatedly to echo concerns across Europe about climate change. A group called Glacier Monitoring Switzerland claims that the Alpine country has lost 15 percent of its glacier volume over the last decade. It has further warned that all Swiss glaciers could disappear by the year 2100 if global warming continues. Apart from environmental concerns, the first major women's protest in Switzerland since 1991 drew thousands to demand fairer pay, more equality and an end to sexual harassment and violence. 

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“There are two main stakes for this election: How significant will the predicted advance of the Greens be,” said Sciarini. “And how much will the (Swiss People’s Party) lose: That could signal losses for the right generally, and lead to more leftist policies.” 

In a series of demonstrations, the concern for environmental issues was on display. Thousand of people turned out in several cities for climate strikes partly because of Swedish activist Greta Thunberg. The Socialists have reportedly dubbed their programme on the basis of 'Marshall Climate Plan' while on the other hand, the right-leaning Free Democratic Party has called for higher taxes on air tickets to offset emissions from jets. The Greens don't have any seats in the council now but it is believed that the big electoral success could boost the Green's argument. 

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(With AP inputs)