The culprit of the scandal, the Swiss People's Party, is currently the largest in parliament. According to preliminary polls, it has the highest rating. It earned its political dividends by persistently lobbying for a new law under which a foreign family would be expelled from the country if one of its members was found guilty of any crime involving violence, drug trafficking, or financial fraud.
It should be noted that over 20% of Switzerland's population are foreigners. Most have lived in Switzerland for many years, and a third of them were born there. However, obtaining Swiss citizenship is still very difficult. Children and even grandchildren of immigrants born in Switzerland do not receive it by right of birth.
The Swiss People's Party claims that foreigners commit more crimes than Swiss citizens, and this justifies their deportation along with their families. Party spokesperson Matthias Müller stated: 'Our initiative has received a lively response. This proves how important what we are doing is.'
In reality, Swiss crime statistics are not entirely clear because each canton keeps them differently. A recent study of the issue by the Department of Foreign Affairs showed that at first glance foreigners commit more crimes, but they are also more often arrested, while a Swiss person might simply be let off with a warning. The study also found that young foreigners living in Switzerland have much less chance of finding work than Swiss citizens, and consequently much more chance of ending up on the margins of society.
Now, after the appearance of the sheep posters, a real wave of protests has risen in the country. Representatives of the Jewish community state that the symbolism of the poster and the use of colors remind them of examples of Nazi propaganda. 'You cannot do politics like this. It is disgusting and goes against Swiss humanistic traditions,' says Alfred Donath, president of the Swiss Federation of Jewish Communities. Meanwhile, the UN official rapporteur on racial discrimination, Senegalese Doudou Diène, demanded official explanations from the Swiss government. In response, Matthias Müller stated that 'the UN should not interfere in our internal affairs.'
The Swiss People's Party is no stranger to criticism, but this time it seems to have gone too far. Another poster appeared, depicting Muslim women in hijabs with the caption: 'Where do we live – in Baden or in Baghdad?' An investigation has been launched into the legality of displaying such posters. However, this did not stop the zealots of Swiss racial purity. A fabricated video appeared showing foreigners allegedly committing a crime. Later it turned out that the young people in the video were Swiss. They later admitted that they were asked to participate in filming a crime prevention video.
To some extent, it is comforting that all sensible public in Switzerland and the offended immigrants apparently will not give up their positions easily. Many of the ill-fated sheep posters have already been torn down, and on others a single word has been written: 'shame.'