Switzerland's general election held on Sunday has seen the country's largest party, the Swiss People's Party (SVP), making substantial gains, according to projections based on half of the results counted. The SVP, already the strongest party in Switzerland for the past two decades, appears to have increased its share of the vote to 29%.

The SVP's campaign has stirred controversy, with their ad campaign being labeled as "xenophobic" by the Federal Commission Against Racism. The campaign highlighted crimes committed by foreigners, sparking a heated debate on immigration and national identity.

In contrast, the Social Democrats (SP) are projected to receive around 18% of the vote. The Green and Green Liberals parties, who made significant gains in the previous election, are expected to experience a decline in support this time around.

The Swiss parliamentary election is essential as the newly elected members of parliament will ultimately appoint the Swiss federal government in December. The lower house, known as the National Council, is elected through proportional representation, while the upper house, or the Council of States, is primarily elected through majority vote.

Notably, the newly formed party, The Center, has managed to secure two seats in the upper house. One member was elected unopposed, while the other was elected earlier in the canton of Appenzell Innerrhoden through the unique Landsgemeinde system, where citizens participate in direct democracy by raising their hands in the town square.

Switzerland's population of 8.5 million has two main avenues to express their opinions. The parliamentary election, where voters cast their ballots, is one of them, while the other involves regular referendums held about four times a year.

The final results of the Swiss general election and the implications for the political landscape of the country are yet to be determined, as the vote counting continues. However, the gains made by the right-wing SVP and the controversy surrounding their ad campaign have already drawn significant attention and sparked discussions on the direction of Swiss politics.

As the election results become clearer, it will be crucial to analyze the impact on Switzerland's policies, particularly regarding immigration and the country's relationship with the European Union, as these issues have been at the center of political debates in recent years.