Swiss Elect Nationalist to Cabinet

By CLARE NULLIS
Associated Press Writer

December 10, 2003, 6:43 AM EST


GENEVA -- The Swiss parliament on Wednesday elected a firebrand nationalist to the Cabinet in a move likely to lead to a clampdown on immigration and doom lingering aspirations of joining the European Union.

The election of Christoph Blocher, leader of the right-wing Swiss People's Party, also spelt the end of the comfortable consensus politics that has characterized the four-party governing coalition for the past 44 years.

"I promise you that I will do everything to earn your trust," said the 63-year-old billionaire industrialist in his acceptance speech, which was accompanied by raucous celebrations among his supporters in a nearby hotel.

"I accept my election. I hope that with God's help, it will work out for the best," said Blocher in an unusually low-key and modest address.

more.....................

http://www.newsday.com/news/nationworld/world/wire/sns-ap-switzerland-government,0,5567666.story?coll=sns-ap-world-headlines

...just what the world needs.

Sorry to see that about the immigration clampdown... my sister lives there now, and I was considering moving there if Bush wins next year.

When these a-holes talk about clamping down on immigration, it means poor people of color, particularly those from Muslim countries.