Swiss Billionaire Populist Leader Blocher (the Swiss "Koch brother"): 'We Are a Sovereign Country'

[pampango]

In a SPIEGEL interview, Christoph Blocher, the leader of the right-wing populist Swiss People's Party discusses the success
of his recent campaign in a referendum against "mass migration" and Switzerland's future relationship with the EU.

Christoph Blocher, 73, is Switzerland's most controversial politician. The billionaire entrepreneur transformed the Swiss People's Party (SWP) into a right-wing populist organization that campaigns against the European Union, immigration and Islam. It was Blocher, educated as a lawyer, who led the successful campaign against Switzerland joining the European Economic Area in 1992. From 2004 to 2007, he served as a member of the government before getting voted out of office. He remains a leader in Swiss politics and recently financed the campaign against "mass immigration" to the tune of 3 million francs (€2.45 million/$3.4 million).

Spiegel: In your campaign for the referendum, SWP drafted horror scenarios of an overflowing Switzerland, a country that has become a cement jungle. The truth is that your country is doing better than ever before. Why the scaremongering?

Blocher: It's not scaremongering.

SPIEGEL: Most of your applause is coming from right-wing extremist parties. Do you feel comfortable in the company of these groups?

Blocher: No, I do not associate with this lot. But it isn't possible to prevent such applause. The SVP has nothing to do with xenophobia. I also reject the accusation that Switzerland is xenophobic. ... That is vilification from opponents and journalists. SVP is currently the largest party and it will soon turn 100 years old. It is business-friendly and conservative. We are committed to making sure that Switzerland remains the direct democracy that it is today.

http://www.spiegel.de/international/europe/interview-with-swiss-populist-leader-christoph-blocher-a-953956.html

A conservative billionaire who has transformed a 'right-wing populist organization which opposes the EU (big government) and immigration (Muslims, not Hispanics and Asians) and promotes a "business-friendly, conservative party. Sounds mighty familiar. The tea party needs the Koch brothers. The SVP needs Mr. Blocher.

It is quite understandable that the billionaire head of a 'business-friendly, conservative' party which is the largest in the Swiss parliament and has much influence and control over the Swiss government would want to minimize the influence that the much more liberal EU has in Switzerland.

"Why the scaremongering?" Because that is what right-wingers (populists and otherwise) do. Job well done, Mr. Koch ---- I mean, Mr. Blocher.