Switzerland today
Greetings from Bern,
The Easter weekend is behind us but many are still on holiday which means less action on the news front.
In the news: Ski season, the hand of the law, energy prices and NATO poll
- Ski season is almost over. The word on the piste is that it has been an exceptionally good period External linkfor the ski industry. Abundant snow and sunny days in March brought the Swiss to ski resorts in large numbers, according to resort and ski lift managers. However, fewer snow lovers came from abroad, which meant resorts like Verbier and Zermatt that rely on foreign visitors did not do so well.
- The Swiss Office of the Attorney General had a busy 2021External link dealing with criminal investigations. Banks, war criminals and football associations FIFA and UEFA felt the heavy hand of the law. In total, 800 final rulings were made and CHF700 million worth of forfeitures and compensation payments were ordered.
- The government is mulling over whether it should intervene to buffer low income households from high energy pricesExternal link. A working group has been put together to examine the options.
- More than half of 20,000 Swiss residents surveyed want closer ties with NATO and more military spending. However, only a small minority are in favour of Switzerland being a fully paid up member of the NATO military alliance established during the Cold War.
Bidding starts: Airplane seats for your living room
Are you an aviation buff? Swiss International Airlines is auctioning off airplane seatsExternal link for charity. The airline is renovating its Boeing 777 aircraft and you can have the old Economy Class seats in your living room if you want. As a bonus, winners of the auction will get a personalized nameplate with their seat.
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