Switzerland Today

Dear Swiss Abroad,

Regards from Bern, Switzerland’s diplomatic centre. And right now, Azerbaijan’s ambassador is being summoned because his country denied entry to a Swiss parliamentarian. Why was he expulsed from the country?

Also in the news: climate change is said to have assisted a Swiss skier to win gold, according to a climatologist.

Plus, an American expat is hit with the reality of Switzerland’s reputation for hyper-organisation and cleanliness.

But first, lets look at today’s headlines.

In the news: UBS, Novartis and Stadler: Switzerland’s big companies continue to make headlines

• UBS reports Q4 loss, layoffs, and cost cuts amid integration:UBS has posted a loss for the final quarter of 2023, A further 4,300 jobs were cut in the fourth quarter of 2023 and UBS had previously put its target for cost savings at more than $10 billion by the end of 2026.
• Novartis acquires German biotech MorphoSys for CHF2.5 billion (CHF2.5 billion). Novartis was able to prevail in its bid for MorphoSys over the American drug manufacturer Incyte.
• Significantly fewer Swiss consumers planning to buy new smartphones:  Only around 38% of Swiss people surveyed by the comparison portal Comparis in the “Smartphone Study 2023” intend to buy a new smartphone in the next twelve months
• Swiss train manufacturer Stadler receives first order for the Gulf region: The train manufacturer Stadler from eastern Switzerland has landed a major deal in Saudi Arabia. The order from Saudi Arabia Railways (SAR) is worth up to around CHF600 million ($689 million).
• Swiss researchers observe deformation of blood cells for the first time: This allows researchers to show exactly how the blood cells change shape when the painkiller ibuprofen is released.

Swiss parliamentarian on Azerbaijan’s black-list

Nik Gugger, Swiss parliamentarian and member of the Protestant Party, landed in Azerbaijan with the mandate to observe the country’s national elections which are set to take place tomorrow, February 7.

However, shortly after he landed, he was told he would not be allowed entry into the country and was promptly expulsed from Azerbaijan.

Why?

Gugger arrived with a team from the Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe (OSCE) with the mandate to observe the upcoming elections. He has been a member of the Council of Europe for the past four years.

The European Union (EU)  currently only cooperates with Azerbaijan in the framework of the European Neighbourhood PolicyExternal link and its eastern regional dimension, the Eastern Partnership. Two weeks ago, the commission decided only on a partial association with the country, instead of a full partnership, “this was an insult to Azerbaijan,”says Gugger to Swiss public television, SRF.External link

As he is a member of the parliamentary assembly of the Council of Europe, his credentials were flagged as being blacklisted.

The Azerbaijani ambassador was summoned by the Swiss foreign ministry on Monday. While the Azerbaijani ambassador had promised to lift the entry ban within the next 24-hours, Gugger is sceptical he will gain entry into Azerbaijan as his membership in the Council of Europe is remains an issue.

Climate change did a good thing for Switzerland?…for Swiss sports fans at least it seems as though climate change has helped a Swiss skier win gold at the at the International Ski and Snowboard Federation (FIS) Alpine Ski World Cup, this according to climatologist Mark Maslin.

On January 24, Swiss skier Daniel Yule made a history with his win in the Men’s Slalom competition in the opening run in Chamonix, France. Yule made an unprecedented comeback, making up 29 positions from position 30 to first place, writes Reuters news agency.External link

Yule was the first skier to run the slope, when the snow was in good condition, said Maslin. But the temperature spiked to 12°C in Chamonix, when normally the maximum temperature only reaches around 3°C. This said Maslin, lead to melting snow, giving the advantage to Yule.

“This is a potent example of how global warming will now start affect results in sports all around world, beyond just causing cancellations,” said Maslin.

Yule admitted that after his win, the slopes had become warmer, but maintained that in sports there are always lucky and unlucky moments. “I was definitely lucky but also I took my chance. In a career sometimes you get lucky, other times I’ve been on the unlucky side”.

At least now some can argue that climate change can bring positives.  

The carrot and the stick theory in Swiss tidiness

Orderly, immaculate and tidy. All words synonymous with our small Alpine country.

On one hand, the carrot: incentivising residents and tourists alike, is the desire to keep Switzerland sparkling.

On the other hand, the stick: the hefty Swiss penalty system.

One fine that made global headlines was a $1,000,000 (CHF1,080,000) speeding ticket given to a Swedish driver, who was clocked exceeding the speed limit by an astounding 170km/h.

An American expat living in canton Zurich is learning the hard way that not abiding by the Swiss standards of order and tidiness is costly. After disposing of cardboard packaging next to a rubbish bin at a tram station, the expat found a fine of CHF320 ($367) in his mailbox for the offense.

His undoing was his name and address left on a box which he had disposed of incorrectly. Christoph Mahlstein from Waste Management and Recycling Zurich told Swiss daily newspaper 20minuten,External link“The person did not adhere to the appointed time for disposing of recyclable material, which is intended to prevent boxes from being left on the street at any time”.

This is an expensive lesson to learn.

What about you, dear Swiss Abroad? What is Switzerland’s reputation in the country where you live? Join the conversation and tell us if there is anything you miss about Switzerland!