The week in Switzerland
Dear Swiss Abroad,
Two and a half months after the Crans-Montana bar fire tragedy, another fire-related drama – this time on a bus – made headlines this week.
Otherwise, domestic news was marked by Sunday's federal votes and a parliamentary about-turn on energy policy.
Enjoy your reading!
The Swiss Broadcasting Corporation (SBC) can breathe a sigh of relief. On Sunday, Swiss voters rejected by 61.9% – and unanimously across all cantons – the popular initiative to cut the national radio and TV licence fee to CHF200 ($254).
However, the vote does not end uncertainty for the public broadcaster. The annual fee, currently CHF335 for every household, will be gradually reduced to CHF300 by 2029. Moreover, the debate around renewing SBC’s concession, which expires at the end of 2028, is expected to be heated.
On March 8 voters also approved individual taxation for married couples and agreed to enshrine the principle of maintaining cash in the Constitution. The climate fund initiative, however, was rejected.
Swiss Abroad voted broadly in line with the domestic electorate, albeit with two nuances: Swiss citizens living abroad showed much stronger support for individual taxation and were more favourable towards the climate fund.
But the votes also delivered a nasty surprise for Swiss Abroad. In canton Basel City, a technical problem prevented some electronic ballots from being counted. The canton has suspended its e-voting pilot project until the end of the year, further fuelling doubts about the reliability of a system that Swiss Abroad have long demanded.
Switzerland was struck by another fire tragedy on Tuesday, when a PostBus caught fire in Chiètres, canton Fribourg, near its terminus. The blaze spread rapidly in the vehicle, killing six people and injuring five, three of them seriously.
This was not an accident but a deliberate act. According to investigators, a 65-year-old man poured petrol over himself before setting himself alight inside the vehicle. A terrorist motive has been ruled out. Initial findings describe the man as “marginal and disturbed” and indicate he had fled from a hospital shortly beforehand.
The event caused shock both locally and nationwide. Swiss President Guy Parmelin travelled to the site to attend an ecumenical memorial ceremony. The tragedy also received wide international coverage.
The investigation into the Crans-Montana New Year’s Eve bar fire has expanded. Valais prosecutors have charged Crans-Montana’s mayor, Nicolas Féraud, and four current or former officials responsible for public safety and fire services between 2020 and 2024.
Nine people are now formally under investigation, including the couple who own the Le Constellation bar where the fire broke out. All face charges of negligent manslaughter, negligent bodily harm and negligent arson. The blaze caused 41 deaths and 115 serious injuries, mainly young people.
On Tuesday, parliament agreed on a solidarity contribution of CHF50,000 per victim, intended to provide rapid support while insurance and legal proceedings are ongoing. Canton Valais followed on Thursday, approving emergency aid of CHF10,000 per victim and creating a CHF10 million foundation for long-term assistance.
Meanwhile, the net is tightening around the couple who own the bar. The Federal Office of Police (Fedpol) has flagged suspicious financial movements involving their companies, including irregular transfers and questionable loans. These findings triggered a money-laundering alert, potentially opening a separate criminal procedure alongside the fire investigation.
The conflict in the Middle East continues to reverberate economically, including in Switzerland. The most visible impact is a sharp rise in fuel prices. According to the Swiss Touring Club’s analysis of 3,200 petrol stations, diesel prices surged by 8.6% in ten days, and unleaded 95 petrol by 3.7%.
Despite these increases, fuel remains cheaper in Switzerland than in neighbouring countries, prompting “pump tourism” from Germany and France, as several media report.
The price spike has revived the debate on Switzerland’s energy dependence. This week, the Senate backed lifting the ban on new nuclear technologies, supporting a government counterproposal to the “Stop blackout” initiative that would allow new nuclear plants to be authorised.
The move marks a significant U-turn from Switzerland’s 2011 post-Fukushima decision to phase out nuclear energy. The House of Representatives must still vote, but the Greens are already threatening a referendum.
The week ahead
Is Switzerland overpopulated? The debate will heat up on Monday with a press conference on the “No to a Switzerland of ten million!” initiative.
Parliament will wrap up its spring session next week. One issue of particular interest to Swiss Abroad is the proposed abolition of children’s pensions. Justice Minister Beat Jans will also speak on Monday about the “No to a Switzerland of ten million!” initiative.
On the economic front, major Swiss companies including Swatch Group and Stadler Rail will release their results.
Culturally, the week will be packed: the Fribourg International Film Festival (FIFF) and the Paléo Festival will unveil their programmes. The 40th Geneva Book Fair opens its doors, and Zurich’s Hallenstadion will host the 18th Swiss Music Awards.
Translated using AI/sb
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