Cabinet lists political targets for 2011

The government has called on parliament to take the necessary steps to limit the impact of the global economic crisis.

Presenting the cabinet’s political aims for next year, President Doris Leuthard told the Senate on Tuesday that Switzerland could not escape the currency difficulties of the euro area.

Switzerland is not a member of the group of countries using the euro, but the European Union is its main trading partner.

Leuthard urged senators to help reform the state old-age pension insurance which is faced with an ageing population. In September parliament voted down a proposal to raise women’s retirement age to 65.

In foreign affairs the cabinet seeks to clarify Switzerland’s relations with the EU, in particular further bilateral treaties with the 27-nation bloc.

For 2011 the government set a total of 17 targets and five priorities, including boosting the economy, ensuring security, improving national unity, improving the sustainable and effective use of resources as well fostering Switzerland’s role on the international stage.