The SVP worms have disappeared

How the SonntagsZeitung the controversial election poster has disappeared from public spaces. The motif shows an apple being eaten by worms symbolizing the opposing parties and the EU. When it was launched, it not only caused outrage in the opposing camp, but also provoked criticism from within the party itself (Werbewoche.ch reported). The provocation worked: the Wurm poster was responsible for the fact that the SVP once again received the most media attention in this election year (Werbewoche.ch reported).

Originally planned as the main subject

In August, SVP election manager Adrian Amstutz announced that the apple poster was the main subject of this year's election campaign. The fact that it has now disappeared shortly before the election date could also be due to a lack of support within the party's own ranks. Several cantonal sections - including Thurgau and Lucerne - decided to do without the motif. In the canton of Schaffhausen, a list connection with the FDP even collapsed due to the poster.

Negative campaign was not planned

It now appears that the negative campaign was not planned at all, but was launched abruptly, writes the SonntagsZeitung. The SVP decided a year ago to focus on positive messages.

President Albert Rösti also confirms this - but adds that they "had to counter at short notice". The apple poster was therefore a reaction to the other parties postponing the decisions on the framework agreement with automatic adoption of EU law and on the cohesion billion until after the elections, as well as to the media's silence on these issues. This could not simply be accepted, Rösti told the SonntagsZeitung.

According to Rösti, the campaign was planned for three weeks from the outset. "We wanted to shake things up with the poster, including our own people." It was never the intention to let the cantonal sections use the poster for their regional election campaigns.