1 October 2015. The election campaign in Switzerland is now heating up. On three evenings, Prof. Dr. Silvano Moeckli, Associate Professor of Political Science at the University of St.Gallen, will provide background information about the major debating points and the political parties' promises before the election, analyse the result and offer initial forecasts.

On the first evening, on 8 October, Silvano Moeckli will deal with theory to begin with: What is "sold" in election campaigns? How are the issues determined? What instruments are available to the political parties? What is the constitution of the electorate?

On 15 October, a few days before polling Sunday, Moeckli will outline the political constellation of the 2015 parliamentary elections. In addition, he will analyse the earlier and current way in which the campaign has proceeded: Have there been any events that could be decisive for the elections? Which parties and candidates were noticed and which were not? What role is played by social media? What election results are predicted by the latest opinion polls?

On the Thursday after the elections, on 22 October, he will provide an analysis of their results: What were the causes of successes and failures? What voter migrations took place? Which parties were best at mobilising supporters? Finally, the question will be raised about the consequences of the election result for future majorities in the National Council and the Council of States and for the election of the Federal Council in December.

The three lectures on the Swiss parliamentary elections will take place at the University of St.Gallen in Tellstrasse 2 in room HSG 58-022. They will be on Thursdays at 6.15 p.m. Dates: 8, 15 and 22 October.

Picture: Fotolia / Margit Power