Switzerland Today
Hello from Bern,
If your family honours the old December 6 tradition, be patient with Saint Nicholas tonight. The good man might be in a hurry, no doubt because of the many children he has to see and the many presents he gives away. Or he may be a fan of the Swiss football team which takes on Portugal at the World Cup in Qatar...
And just before kick-off: here are the latest news and stories from Switzerland on Tuesday.
In the news: A reform of the criminal law, an embattled Swiss bank, popular media and a World Cup update.
- Football’s world governing body FIFA has stopped short of launching a probe against the Swiss team or its captain for making obscene gestures towards the Serbian bench and other perceived provocations during last Friday’s World Cup group stage match. The FIFA decision came a day ahead of a crucial game between Portugal and Switzerland for a berth in the quarterfinals in Qatar.
- Amnesty International has welcomed a decision by one chamber of the Swiss parliament to re-define rape as sex without consent. The House of Representatives approved the so-called “yes means yes”-principle with a slim majority, notably driven by left-wing and centrist parties. However, discussions are due to continue, as the Senate voted for a different policy.
- The chairman of Credit Suisse, Axel Lehmann, says the embattled bank has seen a stabilisation in the outflows of client funds. Credit Suisse, whose shares recently plunged to record lows, is in the midst of an overhaul which has included raising CHF4 billion ($4.23 billion) to bolster its finances.
- Online media replaced television as the most influential media type in Switzerland for the first time in 2021, according to a study by the Media MonitorExternal link Switzerland. Large brands such as 20 Minuten and Swiss public radio and television, SRF, lost influence in favour of smaller titles.
‘Night of the long knives’
Swiss parliament is due to elect two new ministers to the seven-member government on Wednesday. Outsiders might shrug their shoulders or wonder why the media has been making such a fuss about it.
Much has been said and written about the four candidates, favourites and dark horses over the past few weeks. Legend has it that backroom deals are struck over a bottle of wine or two in certain bars and restaurants in the capital Bern on the eve of the election.
As political observers have pointed out, the so-called “night of the long knives” rarely lived up to its reputation in the past, but this won’t stop radio, TV, newspapers and online sites from speculating on secret meetings in the early hours of Wednesday morning.
Regardless, the election of a new cabinet minister is a political highlight – something like a Christmas party – and swissinfo.ch will do its best to keep you posted on Wednesday.
Saint Nicholas and his helper
December 6 is the perfect day to try and explain the tradition – observed in many parts of Switzerland, as well as in other European countries – of St Nicholas and his assistant. They go around to the houses where small children live and give them presents. But often not without reminding the kids to be good or even to punish those who haven’t behaved.
There are various forms of this tradition, which is part of European folklore, and many grown-ups still remember how they were in awe of the man in a red or white costume and a special hat.
The figure allegedly represents the patron saint of children, merchants and sailors and refers to an early Christian bishop of Greek descent. But somehow confusingly, he looks very much like Father Christmas, or Santa himself who is due in nearly three weeks…
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