Border wars: France attacks ‘racist’ Swiss ad

Opponents of a plan to ease travel between France and Switzerland face legal action for racism. The right-wing Swiss People’s Party says a new train line between Geneva and the border town of Annemasse will flood Switzerland with what it calls criminal ‘scum.’

“I agree with what this advert says: we must stop the train link because of the cost and because it will open us up to all the delinquents of Europe,” said People’s Party spokesman Yves Nidegger. “However, I admit the way it has been done is not very clever.” Annemasse lies right on the Swiss border and thousands of people, French and others, cross every day to work in Geneva. The town’s mayor is outraged. “I’m going to sue them,said Mayor Christian Dupessey. “My legal team is looking at how to proceed, because France and Switzerland are two countries with different legal systems. But I intend to sue the party for daring to issue this advert, and the paper which published it.” The Swiss People’s Party earned widespread criticism last year after an election campaign showing a black sheep being kicked out of the country by white sheep – another advert denounced as racist.

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