As part of the democracy team, I report on the dynamic relationship between citizens and their institutions in Switzerland and abroad.
Born in Ireland, I have a BA in European Studies and MA in International Relations. I've been at SWI swissinfo.ch since 2017.
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As global trade rules falter, countries are looking to bolster their exports and diversify their networks. Switzerland faces here a unique challenge: the ballot box.
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As global trade rules fray, countries are scrambling to shore up export markets and diversify partners. For Switzerland, this could come with an added complication: the ballot box.
Where UN Special Rapporteur sees freedom of speech under threat in Bangladesh
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After fresh elections, Bangladesh is aiming to make good on the calls for reform which sparked 2024 protests. UN freedom of opinion rapporteur Irene Khan explains the stakes.
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Well over a decade after its launch, the EU’s tool for citizen participation has failed to gain traction, especially set against the wide popular rights enjoyed in Switzerland. Why?
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In 2026, “AI slop” will submerge the internet, a pioneer of illiberal democracy is up for election, and the pioneer of liberal democracy celebrates its 250th birthday.
Why calls to ‘tax the rich’ are loud, popular – and rarely successful
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The idea of clamping down on the rich often enjoys large public support. In practice, it rarely succeeds – even when citizens can vote directly on it. Why not?
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The Swiss have overwhelmingly voted against both a proposal for a new tax on big inheritances and a call for all citizens to perform civic duty in Sunday's polls.
Switzerland flies under the radar at NATO gathering
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Switzerland is not a NATO member, but it keeps half a foot in the door – a visit to the alliance’s recent parliamentary assembly shows how this works.
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Twice yearly, lawmakers from NATO and beyond – including Switzerland – meet to discuss all things defence. A portrait of an understated institution.
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For years, democracy was sold as a path to prosperity. More recently, that promise has been under pressure – despite apparent success stories like Switzerland.
Taiwan is voting to restart a nuclear power plant – what’s at stake?
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Votes on nuclear energy are always about long-term risk assessment. In Taiwan, they are also about the risk posed by China.
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Should 16-year-olds get the vote? In Switzerland, the idea is often on the political agenda – and is just as often thrown off it again.
A delicate export: how Swiss foreign policy promotes democracy
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Switzerland has a constitutional mandate to promote democracy around the world. What happens when that world starts looking more authoritarian?
Switzerland refines its global democracy aims in a tough context
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Amid a global democratic “recession”, the foreign ministry has clarified how it wants to shore up freedoms around the world.
The purest democracy? Visiting one of Switzerland’s historic open-air assemblies
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The annual “Landsgemeinde” in Glarus is like a folk festival, a party, and a crash-course in politics rolled into one. Is it democratically relevant?
What do you think Switzerland’s Alain Berset can bring to the Council of Europe?
The former interior minister is to become the first Swiss Secretary General of the Council of Europe – which issues should his five-year term focus on?
