Both chambers of parliament will hold special debates about agriculture during the three-week meeting, which is underway in the capital, Bern.
As is customary for the winter session, parliamentarians are to discuss next year’s federal budget and appoint new speakers, according to the official programme.
Economics Minister Doris Leuthard is expected to be appointed Swiss president for 2010 – a largely ceremonial post which is rotated among cabinet minister on a yearly basis.
Other highlights are decisions about the proposed liberalisation of the postal market as well as further discussions on health reforms.
Several controversial people’s initiatives are also tabled, including plans for the automatic deportation of criminal foreigners, a halt to the acquisition of fighter jets for the airforce and the introduction of higher taxes for the wealthy.
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.
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Parliament moves to tighten criminal law
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Legal experts have cautioned against a new radical overhaul of measures which only took effect less than 30 months ago. Wednesday’s debate ended with a victory for the supporters of a tougher penal system, particularly among the rightwing Swiss People’s Party as well as the centre-right Christian Democrats. The House voted to tighten sanctions against…
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But on Wednesday the cabinet said a proposal by the rightwing Swiss People’s Party for the automatic deportation of foreign criminals went against international law and basic constitutional rights. Observers point out that the government tightened its initial proposals following a broad consultation procedure among political parties, organisations and civil society. The cabinet plan will…
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The financial situation will be critical in 2050 with public debt equivalent to 130 per cent of Gross Domestic Product. Officials are recommending that social security financing be urgently reviewed to lessen the impact of demographic change. “The longer it takes for the necessary reforms to be implemented, the tougher they will have to be,”…
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The photographer Peter Schulthess spent a year visiting 28 jails across the country for his book “Behind bars – prisons and detention centres in Switzerland” (2006).
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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.