Albert Stocker and the «Anti-Italians» party

While conducting research for our project, we often come across astonishing historical events. Like this dark chapter of the political history of Switzerland.

Albert Stocker Interview

In 1963, a perfume salesman and political newcomer causes quite a stir: Albert Stocker founds the «Swiss Non-Partisan People's Movement to Strengthen People's Rights and Direct Democracy» often called the «Anti-Italians» party.

He will then specify that the movement specifically targets southern Italians, as his goal is to reduce their number.

The whole thing is reported in his interview for the Swiss television broadcast «Antenne».

Headline: «Against the over-foreignization of Switzerland coming from the south»

One of his sympathizers says in a letter, «All the time you are harassed on the street by that scum.» Other statements are: «subhumans», «country plague of the Itacians».

Letter of a sympathizer

Despite the alarming number of sympathizers, the party ultimately had no electoral success. Nonetheless, this episode paved the way to other politicians with same ideologies to undertake similar movements and initiatives, such as James Schwarzenbach.

Check out his interview!