A former banker argues the SNB ran up a multi-billion franc deficit and debts because it spent part of its assets outside the country.
“We have to go to the root of the problem,” Marc Meyer told a news conference on Thursday.
Meyer says he plans to collect the necessary signatures – at least 100,000 in 18 months – online and hopes to be invited to explain his cause in public. He is also counting on indirect promotion through his presence in the media.
“The internet can be used to collect and hand in the signatures,” he said.
Meyer also launched two other initiatives – calling for tightening regulations on the deployment of army commandos and for stronger shareholder rights in pension funds.
The 56-year-old says he has a committee of about 30 supporters and is acting as an independent citizen without the backing of a political party.
Nearly 380 people’s initiatives have been launched in the history of modern-day Switzerland since 1893, but 80 of them failed to collect enough signatures, while others were withdrawn or declared null and void.
At the moment campaigns are underway for 20 initiatives.
You can find an overview of ongoing debates with our journalists here. Please join us!
If you want to start a conversation about a topic raised in this article or want to report factual errors, email us at english@swissinfo.ch.
Read more
More
Central bank cannot guarantee future payouts
This content was published on
In a statement late on Friday the central bank said it would pay out, as agreed in a convention, SFr2.5 billion, a third going to the government and two thirds to the cantons. A further SFr1.5 billion would be paid in dividends. However, the SNB warned that there was a possibility that its profit distribution…
This content was published on
It is leaving the target range for the three-month Libor (London Interbank Offered Rate) at 0.00 – 0.75 per cent, and intends to keep this within the lower part of the target range at 0.25 per cent. The central bank commented on Thursday that while the growth dynamic in emerging markets was vigorous, the recovery…
This content was published on
The announcement follows the collapse of United States investment bank Lehman Brothers on Monday and warnings that several other institutions in desperate trouble. The Swiss National Bank (SNB) said on Thursday that the coordinated effort to increase repurchase agreements – known as repo auctions – was designed to improve liquidity conditions globally. Liquidity, or the…
This content was published on
Swiss citizens are called to cast their votes several times every year. They have the final say on specific issues, amending the constitution and challenging parliamentary decisions. They also elect local, cantonal and federal parliaments.
You can find an overview of ongoing debates with our journalists here. Please join us!
If you want to start a conversation about a topic raised in this article or want to report factual errors, email us at english@swissinfo.ch.