Switzerland hit by left-wing riots

Extreme-left groups staged a violent protest in the Swiss capital, damaging property and preventing a campaign rally by one of the country’s largest parties.

Police said hundreds of masked protesters attacked stalls and equipment set up in front of parliament in Bern yesterday for a pre-election event by the nationalist Swiss People’s Party. Police said 18 officers and three protesters were injured.

Police fired tear gas to disperse the protesters and made 42 arrests.

The violence prevented 10,000 supporters of the People’s Party from marching through Bern to a square in front of parliament to hear leading party members speak, including justice minister Christoph Blocher and defence minister Samuel Schmid.

Left-wing groups had called for protests against the rally – held two weeks before the country’s October 21 parliamentary elections.

A separate Festival Against Racism attended by up to 3,000 people in Bern passed peacefully.

The People’s Party condemned the violence as contrary to Switzerland’s democratic tradition.

The party has been criticised in recent months for its hardline stance on immigration, illustrated by campaign posters showing white sheep kicking a black sheep off a Swiss flag.