Switzerland Today

Greetings from Basel!

Switzerland can be crazy expensive and families in the Alpine nation are getting smaller as a result. Makes me wonder if we will see a rise in Swiss DINK – dual income no kids – couples in the coming years.

More on this and other Swiss predicaments in today’s briefing. But first, the news.

KEYSTONE/KEYSTONE/GAETAN BALLY

In the News: less snow days in the Alps, Credit Suisse investigation drags on, hiring Ukrainians could get easier

• Dreaming of spring skiing? Then do it while you can. Alpine ski resorts could have 40% fewer snow days per year by the end of the century, according to a study published in the scientific journal PLOS ONE. 
• After the collapse of Credit Suisse, Switzerland is exploring ways to keep its banking sector in check. A parliamentary motion envisions forcing senior bankers to return half their salary from the previous decade if public money is needed to rescue their financial institution.
• The cross-examination of people involved in the Credit Suisse debacle is taking longer than expected. The blame game continues as an investigative committee examine the facts.
• Switzerland wants to increase the employment rate of Ukrainian refugees from 20% to 40% by the end of this year. Parliament has passed a motion that could help reduce red tape by scrapping the need to apply for a work permit.
• The Neue Zürcher Zeitung newspaper waded into a highly charged topic – anti-Semitic bullying by Muslim students in Swiss classrooms – in the article “Make-up is haram! (forbidden)” – How young Muslims bully their classmatesExternal link

Almost four out of ten Swiss families would give up having more children because of financial constraints. KEYSTONE/© KEYSTONE / LAURENT GILLIERON

Survey shows Swiss families struggling on the financial front

High costs and tight budgets add up to smaller families. Published today, Switzerland’s family barometer finds that four out of ten families in Switzerland cite financial pressures as a reason for not having more children.

The head of Switzerland’s main family organisation calls for swift political action. “The first priority is to cap health insurance premiums and the cost of childcare outside the home,” says Philippe Gnaegi, director of Pro Familia Switzerland.

The barometer shows that almost half of Swiss families are unable to save enough money at the end of the month to cover an unexpected expense such as emergency medical or dental care. Ouch.

Ripe for the picking: a bunch of Chasselas grapes in the Lavaux region, southwestern Switzerland. KEYSTONE/KEYSTONE/ VALENTIN FLAURAUD

Grape wars: Swiss wine fights against growing sales of imported vintages

Geneva Gamaret or Italian Chianti? Foreign wines are flying off Swiss supermarket shelves faster than local ones. But politicians are willing to spend big to rescue Switzerland’s boutique wines.

The Senate has decided to boost annual funding for the promotion of Swiss-made wine from CHF2.8 million ($3.2 million) to CHF9 million. The domestic market share of Swiss wine has dropped from 44% to 37% in the past three decades. A related problem for vinters is that the Swiss are drinking less.

If you are now craving a glass of Valais Fendant, we are sorry to report that Swiss wine is primarily drunk in Switzerland. Exports only account for 1% of production. But cheers to our Swiss Abroad readers anyway.

“The West doesn’t need Russia, we need Russia!” A billboard prior to the upcoming presidential election in Russia. AP Photo

Russian elections and the Putin system

We leave our Swiss Abroad and global readers with an invitation to join our latest debate. While there is little point in making bets on the outcome of Russia’s upcoming elections, we would love your take on Vladimir Putin. Have your say here!