Racing to the Top: Examining Successful Careers of Citizens of Immigrant Origin in Switzerland

While European societies become more complex and diverse as mobility and migration shape their demographics, the representation of citizens of immigrant origin in key political and economic positions is of utmost societal importance. This civic and political representation is not only a sign of a vibrant democracy but also of equal opportunities in a given liberal society. However, studies show that discrimination and the pitfalls of belonging to minority groups are obstacles that prevent certain citizens of immigrant origin from achieving positions that match their ambitions. With one of the highest immigration rates in Europe and a restrictive naturalization policy, the underrepresentation of minority groups in Switzerland is particularly problematic. Yet, little is known about the supportive conditions and factors that allow some citizens of immigrant origin to break the glass ceiling in the political and economic arena. To understand the factors and mechanisms that affect the careers of immigrant-origin minorities in Switzerland, this paper presents preliminary results on particularly unfavorable or conducive factors to political and economic success. On the one hand, results will be based on a systematically created database compiling publicly available data on citizens of immigrant-origin who held a political mandate between 2012 and 2022 at the federal, cantonal, and municipal level of four selected regions and their main urban areas situated in different linguistic regions (Zurich, Vaud, Grisons, Basel-City). On the other hand, quantitative findings will be complemented by qualitative material from interviews with successful individuals of immigrant origin in leadership positions in other areas of society (civil society organizations, business, public administration). This comparative approach allows to highlight crucial variables impacting the careers of citizens of immigrant origin and to explore supportive factors for successful careers in other areas (e.g., civil society organizations).