Strong showing for SVP in Geneva vote

Monday, 29 September 2025 06:30

Lionel Dugerdil, Swiss People's Party (c) SVP/UDC

Geneva voters went to the polls yesterday for a by-election to replace Green politician Antonio Hodgers on the cantonal government.

Green candidate Nicolas Walder came out on top in the first round with just over 32,000 votes.

But the real surprise is the strong showing of the Swiss People’s Party candidate Lionel Dugerdil, only 5,500 votes behind.

He benefitted from liberal support and now has a real shot at giving the right-wing party a seat in government for the first time in years.

Centrist Xavier Magnin placed third with 21,000 votes, while all other candidates trailed far behind. Turnout was 42 percent.

The decisive second round on October 19 will pit Walder against Dugerdil -the outcome could reshape Geneva’s political balance.

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