Post by Michael Brüggler

The SVP’s Achilles heel: free markets in principle — protectionism for its own backyard. On Mercosur, the party exposed an unacceptable double standard: it claims to stand for entrepreneurship, competition and less dependency on the EU, but blocks a concrete non-EU trade opportunity the moment agricultural subsidies and privileges are challenged. That puts sectoral protection above the overall interest of Switzerland. This “No” is disappointing — not only for the FDP and liberal voters, but hopefully also for many SVP voters and members. Such voting behaviour may sadly cost the SVP dearly.