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.
When Winston Churchill called for European unity in neutral Zurich
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In September 1946, Winston Churchill delivered a famous speech in Zurich, calling for a “United States of Europe”. What became of his idea?
Why the Swiss government doesn’t need to fear a no-confidence vote
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When it comes to the Federal Council, what might look like an undemocratic situation comes with various upsides, a German researcher finds.
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Over 90% of voters in Switzerland do it by post – a number which stands out globally, yet which hasn’t sparked major political debates about security.
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Are you comfortable putting your vote in the letterbox? From the US to Germany, some politicians say you shouldn’t be. In Switzerland, such debates remain marginal for now.
When a former Swiss foreign minister turns her hand to acting
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At a recent theatre event in Zurich, prominent cast members – with the help of a voting audience – took on the question of Switzerland’s global role.
As Switzerland shakes up its foreign aid, will it stay committed to democracy?
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With the government planning to boost short-term humanitarian aid at the expense of longer-term projects, this could be bad news for democracy promotion.
Ten years after Brexit, the ‘Swiss model’ just keeps popping up
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From a blueprint for staying free of the EU to an idea for getting closer to it again, the “Swiss model” has had an eventful decade. What’s behind the success?
Could the 2026 G7 cause similar problems for Geneva as in 2003?
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When it comes to the G7 summit in Evian on June 15-17, debates in Switzerland have largely been focussed on one thing: how to manage protests against the event.
Protests in Switzerland less radical, but just as frequent as elsewhere
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Switzerland is hardly known as a hotbed of unrest. But in some of the country’s cities, demonstrations have been more frequent than ever.
Swiss direct democracy found to better reflect what citizens want
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Voters increasingly think parliaments don’t represent their views. Does direct democracy do a better job? In Switzerland, it does, says research.
Staying in neutral? How Swiss and Irish debates compare
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Defence shifts in Europe have put pressure on old policies in Ireland and Switzerland – and sparked heated resistance to any change.
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Around the world, many are worried about the decline of democracy. Pinning down the extent of this decline is not always so easy.
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Beyond Switzerland’s borders, democracy is under pressure. But with gradual decay as much the cause as violent coups, it’s not always clear when, or if, it really “ends”.
How direct democracy became part of Orbán’s ‘illiberal’ toolkit in Hungary
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Since 2010, Hungarian authorities have channelled public sentiment with a range of direct-democratic tools – including one which even Switzerland’s ample repertoire lacks.
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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.
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?
