Switzerland's right-wing People's Party (SVP), known by its German acronym, has secured one of its most significant electoral wins in recent years - garnering 28.6% of the votes in the national elections, marking a notable increase from their 25.6% performance four years ago. This triumph exceeded expectations set by opinion polls and came close to their record-high of 29.4% achieved in 2015.

The SVP has been Switzerland's most popular political party for approximately two decades, predominantly focusing on domestic concerns - particularly immigration and the economy. A central pillar of their agenda is to limit Switzerland's population to 10 million people, citing concerns over strained infrastructure and housing shortages.

"The worry about an explosion of the population is big," said Zurich-based SVP lawmaker Thomas Matter, who hopes that conservative parties will collaborate on immigration issues with the party, Bloomberg reports.

SVP also promotes the preservation of Switzerland's traditional policy of neutrality - even in the face of calls for a more robust response to Russia's invasion of Ukraine. Additionally, they aim to cap the costs associated with transitioning to sustainable energy sources.

Not just Switzerland

The rise of conserve nationalism across Europe is notable, as similar movements have gained ground across the region. In Germany, the Alternative for Germany (AfD) party has experienced increased support in regional elections, while Italy's Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni continues to enjoy popularity in the polls after a year in office. Austria is witnessing the anti-immigrant Freedom Party leading the charge for the 2024 elections.