Switzerland: Voters decide on their new parliament in federal elections

W/S Clock tower, Bern
M/S Campaign poster
M/S Campaign poster
C/U Campaign poster
W/S Polling station
M/S Sign pointing at polling station
SOT, Voter and Political Science specialist: "I think it would be very encouraging to see a high voter turnout today, because normally in Switzerland we don't have that high of a turnout because about four times a year, people can actually go and can vote on actual topics. So I nevertheless really hope that today many people turn out and go voting, because actually this counts, they take many decisions in Parliament. That's what I hope for."
M/S People entering building
M/S Voters and election staff
C/U Voting material
M/S Voters and election staff
SOT, Voter: "So Switzerland does have a direct democracy and therefore I think that it's very important that people would really vote and give their voice to the politicians, and [tell] them what they want. So that's my hope for my country, that we really do that."
M/S Campaign poster
M/S Campaign posters
M/S Campaign posters
SOT, Walter Langenneger, Head of the Information Service of City of Bern: "There are two subjects which are important: climate change and climate protection, and the other one is the equal treatment [of] women. And I suppose that of course these two subjects, the Green Party at the federal level will win more seats this time."
M/S Kid at polling station
M/S Voters and election staff
M/S Ballot casting
SOT, Walter Langenneger, Head of the Information Service of City of Bern: "Another important subject is the politics against the European Union. We did choose the bilateral way, and the big question is how to get along this way."
M/S People walking
M/S People leaving building
M/S Sign pointing to polling station
SCRIPT
Voters from Bern explained what was at stake in Switzerland's federal elections, as the Swiss decide on their new Parliament on Sunday.
According to Walter Langenneger, the Head of the Information Service of the City of Bern, climate change, women's rights and Switzerland's relations with the European Union dominated the elections.
Another voter said that he hopes for a "high voter turnout."
"Normally in Switzerland, we don't have that high of a turnout because about four times a year, people can actually go and can vote on actual topics. So I nevertheless really hope that today many people turn out and go voting, because actually, this counts, they take many decisions in Parliament," he explained.
Footage shows various political parties' campaign posters and voters at a polling station.
Voters will elect members of both houses of the Federal Assembly, with 200 seats in the National Council and 46 in the Council of States.
Climate issues have ruled the campaign debates, and a green surge is expected, leading to a fall in support for the Swiss People's Party.