UK Prime Minister Theresa May, citing domestic concerns, will follow her French and American counterparts by staying away from this year’s World Economic Forum in Davos.
This content was published on
1 minute
SDA-ATS/dos
Perhaps unsurprisingly given the current political situation in London, a spokesperson for May announced on Thursday evening that the prime minister would not be attending next week’s WEF meeting in the Swiss mountain town of Davos.
After a thumping defeat was handed her proposed Brexit plan in the House of Commons on Tuesday, May survived a vote of no confidence in her leadership on Wednesday. Parliament has instructed her to return with an alternative plan by next Monday, the opening day of this year’s WEF gathering.
The UK is scheduled to leave the EU on March 29 this year, with or without a plan of orderly action.
In shunning the Davos meeting, which she attended last year, May follows in the wake of Emmanuel Macron, under heavy domestic pressure driven by gilets jaunes protests, and Donald Trump, who cancelled his visit due to an ongoing government shutdown in Washington.
German leader Angela Merkel and Japanese premier Shinzo Abe are two of the major global political figures still scheduled to attend.
This year’s WEF runs from January 21-25. Stay tuned to swissinfo.ch for daily coverage of the major events and announcements from the four-day event.
More
More
Why Trump’s absence could benefit Davos
This content was published on
If this year’s World Economic Forum does indeed take place without US President Donald Trump, it won’t matter too much, say some Swiss media.
In Switzerland more people are being referred to electrical therapies or psychedelic-assisted psychotherapy. Are there similar approaches where you live?
Swiss parliament rejects national microchipping scheme for cats
This content was published on
Switzerland should not introduce a nationwide mandatory microchip scheme for cats. On Tuesday, the House of Representatives rejected such an idea by 108 votes to 80.
Sharp rise in reported cyber incidents in Switzerland
This content was published on
The number of reported cyber incidents and online threats in Switzerland rose sharply last year, according to the National Cyber Security Centre (NCSC).
Swiss National Bank ‘ready to consider’ negative interest rates
This content was published on
The Swiss National Bank (SNB) is prepared to lower its key interest rate even further in the face of economic uncertainty, Chair Martin Schlegel said on Tuesday.
Toxic chemicals from car tyres found in fruit and vegetables in Switzerland
This content was published on
Tyre additives are transferred into the food chain, according to a new study in Switzerland. Further research is needed to establish the dangers for human health.
Swiss pensioner in court for feeding neighbour’s cat
This content was published on
A 68-year-old Swiss woman is in court in Zurich on Tuesday, accused of systematically feeding her neighbour's cat "Leo" - a criminal offence in Switzerland - so that the cat no longer wanted to go home.
SWISS flights to Tel Aviv remain suspended until May 11
This content was published on
Swiss International Air Lines (SWISS) has cancelled all flights to and from the Israeli city of Tel Aviv until May 11 after a missile fired by Yemen's Houthi rebels landed near the airport.
Ministers discuss Swiss-EU deal with Italy and Hungary
This content was published on
Swiss President Karin Keller-Sutter and Foreign Minister Ignazio Cassis held talks on Monday with their respective counterparts from Italy and Hungary.
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
Young Socialists receive green light for anti-WEF demo
This content was published on
Davos officials have given the Swiss Young Socialists (Juso) the go-ahead to organise a public demonstration in Davos against the WEF annual meeting.
Brazilian president chooses WEF for first overseas trip
This content was published on
The rightwing Bolsonaro will join US President Donald Trump and many other world leaders in Switzerland from January 21-25. The annual showpiece meeting attracts around 3,000 political and business heads plus leaders in the worlds of science, culture, civil society and religion. Bolsonaro made his announcement during his first television interview since taking office on…
This content was published on
How did a remote Swiss mountain resort become the site for the most important leaders from around the world to debate pressing global challenges?
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.