Switzerland Today
Good morning, Helvetians of the world,
Following strike action by a large proportion of Swissinfo staff, no press review will be published today.
As you will have gathered, this is obviously an April Fool's joke, just like those devised in Switzerland by many media outlets and institutions to make their audiences smile.
You'll find a selection of them here, along with some unexpected statistics for you.
Switzerland enjoys a “very positive image with the general public abroad”. These are the findings of the annual report on Switzerland’s image abroad, which was presented to the Swiss government today.
The report also notes that media coverage of Switzerland abroad in 2025 was particularly marked by the way the country handled the imposition by Washington of high tariffs on Swiss exports, announced by US President Donald Trump exactly one year ago.
The Blatten rockslide also caused a stir in the foreign press. The organisation of the Eurovision Song Contest in Basel and the European Women’s Football Championship also met with a positive response, according to the report. Articles devoted to these two major international events painted a picture of a welcoming, open and well-organised country.
In terms of reputation, Switzerland ranks fifth in the world in the Anholt Nation Brands Index 2025, which each year measures the popularity of 50 countries among the general public. The Swiss are perceived as friendly. The country’s attractiveness and quality of life are also highly rated.
Yesterday we told you about the major trends in the new statistics on the Swiss Abroad. But do you know which are the favourite cities of Swiss expatriates? Or in which countries their numbers are falling sharply?
For the first time, in 2025 the Federal Statistical Office (FSO) calculated the number of Swiss living in major cities in neighbouring countries. The capitals Paris and Berlin lead the way. Next come Milan and Vienna, the latter known for its quality of life. Munich and Rome rank fifth and sixth respectively.
Swiss nationals living abroad can be found in all but five of the world’s countries. However, they do not live very far away, as the majority reside in neighbouring countries, particularly in French and German regions bordering Switzerland. Some 13% of the 212,400 Swiss in France live in the neighbouring French region of Haute-Savoie.
While, overall, the Swiss diaspora continued to grow in 2025, there were marked declines in several countries. This is particularly true of Mexico, Singapore and Cuba. Haiti has lost almost 30% of its Swiss community in one year, and two-thirds since 2016. Due to prevailing insecurity, many African countries are affected by the Swiss exodus, in particular South Sudan (-27%), Niger (-25%), Chad (-25%) and Sudan (-22%).
Camping on the tarmac at Geneva airport? Chocolate cordon bleu? Luggage size limits on trains? These are just some of the joke news items for April 1.
On Instagram, Geneva Airport hit back with a larger-than-life video showing a campsite on its tarmac, “to promote its green spaces”. The airport assures viewers that campers won’t be bothered by aircraft noise.
In a non-exhaustive compilation, the Blick lists a few eccentric ideas, such as chips with Engadine walnut pie, cordon bleu with chocolate or beer with Ovaltine. If your dog’s teeth are yellow, you may be interested in a chew toy designed to whiting your dogs teeth, too. Finally, “as is customary at airports, luggage size will now be checked at stations before boarding trains”, writes the Swiss Federal Railways.
A foundry in Uetendorf, canton Bern, claims to have developed a “muted” bell capable of reducing the tinkling of bells hung around cows’ necks, thereby limiting noise-related conflicts between neighbours (this story has not yet been officially recorded as a hoax).
As a result of the rise in the value of the Swiss franc, thousands of cross-border commuters who own property in France but work in Switzerland are being squeezed by mortgages in Swiss francs. A recent decision by the Court of Cassation (France’s highest court for civil and criminal cases) could, however, allow partial repayment, reports Swiss public broadcaster RTS.
The French border region is home to a large number of property owners who work in Switzerland. For a long time, these people borrowed in Swiss francs to buy their houses or flats. Low interest rates in Switzerland and a strong euro made the deal attractive.
But with the rise in the value of the Swiss franc against the euro, the situation has reversed: monthly repayments have risen, while the value of the property, denominated in euros, has not. Many cross-border commuters feel that their banks did not give them sufficient warning of the possible consequences of a change in the Swiss franc.
A landmark decision by France’s Court of Cassation, initiated by a cross-border commuter who lost his job, could pave the way for the cancellation of loans or the repayment of part of the interest paid.
However, the practical application of the decision has yet to be confirmed by lower courts, while the banks have lodged appeals.
Translated using AI/amva/ts
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