ABSTRACT
In the British system, we would normally look to the government to lead resistance to populist challenge. Doing this is much more difficult in Switzerland, mainly because there is no disciplined ruling majority in parliament. In fact, Switzerland shares a problem about dealing with populism with many other countries in Western Europe. Part of the problem with both government and parliament is that they are both, in different ways, dependent on the political parties. The majority of members have essentially been chosen for two things: their administrative capacities and their acceptability to the other parties. While political parties may now be the leading elements in the political system, there remain important consultative and federal elements. Both these can complicate political conflicts such as those with the Swiss People's Party (SVP). Hence lobbies and cantons need to be involved in any resistance to the SVP.
