ABSTRACT
The existence of social support was a necessary cause for the populist turn. It has become clear that Swiss People's Party (SVP) voters and supporters have clear views on many of the changes affecting Switzerland. They dislike European institutions and the activities of other international institutions. In fact, the SVP was the beneficiary, along with other European far-right parties, of a major shift of working class voters away from traditional left-wing formations. Localities with highly educated work forces have proved much less likely to vote SVP. The Swiss conservative tradition first emerged from the 1880s onward. The Christian Democrats have been suffering even more of a long-term decline, reflecting secularization and, especially, the decay of the Catholic social fabric that had long sustained the movement. Like the emerging socialist movement, the bloc became especially worried by the rising number of foreigners living and, especially, working in the country.
