Blocher dynasty prepares new EU fight, 30 years after EEA victory

Magdalena Martullo-Blocher is preparing to lead opposition to Switzerland's Bilateral III agreements, thirty years after her father Christoph Blocher's successful campaign against European Economic Area membership. The family's political succession follows her prior economic stewardship of EMS-Chemie. Martullo-Blocher, CEO and majority shareholder of the family chemical company, has served as a Swiss National Councillor for the SVP since 2015 and is the party's vice president. The Blocher family maintains a strict no-politics rule at Christmas dinner, imposed by Silvia Blocher to prevent heated arguments. The father-daughter duo share a core belief that Swiss strength lies in independence, a principle driving their opposition to the new EU agreements. Their political activism in Herrliberg represents a rare succession that began with business success before extending into federal politics.