National force tapping into many of the fears and aspirations of ordinary Swiss.
The billionaire industrialist’s right-wing Swiss People’s Party (SVP) is expected to win the most votes in elections on 21 October, rounding off a campaign that the United Nations described as blatantly racist.
The party has depicted Switzerland as a society under siege from immigrants who have scant regard for the country’s laws and customs.
Many voters appear to be impressed by the skilled oratory of Mr Blocher, 67, seeing him as the epitome of a stern leader stepping forward to safeguard Swiss values.
Mr Blocher, currently justice minister, was quick to make political capital out of rioting that erupted at an SVP election rally in Bern. Left-wing protesters clashed with police, adding to the unusually edgy atmosphere of this Swiss election.
“It’s obvious that the biggest party in Switzerland can no longer go to the federal square,” Mr Blocher told a cheering crowd of supporters.
The SVP is currently pushing for a law that would give authorities the power to expel entire families of immigrants if one member is found guilty of a violent crime or of an offence such as drug dealing or benefit fraud.