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One small step for Taiwan, big one for China

This content was published on Jan 19, 2016 Bejing International Airport. Six years ago. Together with my family I am rushed through the Chinese capital’s international airport by several dozen security staff as we are about to board one of the very first scheduled direct flights between China and Taiwan. The two states across the Taiwan Strait have had no regular neighbourly relations…

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Global people power challenges in 2016

This content was published on Jan 16, 2016 After an annus horribilis in 2015, the new year begins with new democratic opportunities – on all political levels. A preview by Bruno Kaufmann from people2power.

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Asylum and secret service reform to go to public votes

This content was published on Jan 15, 2016 An alliance of leftwing politicians and representatives of civil rights groups said they had handed in 67,000 signatures to the Federal Chancellery to force a nationwide vote. The committee says the reform of a law, which gives intelligence services increased powers to monitor private communications over the internet and telephones and bug privates homes, is…

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EU has choice between referendum and reform

This content was published on Jan 9, 2016 Since the creation of the EU in the 1950s up until the end of December 2015, a total of 55 public ballots have been held in various European countries, including Switzerland, on integration into the multi-nation bloc. The first ballot box decision dates back to 1972 in France. Voters in Denmark were the latest to…

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Deportation initiative back before voters

This content was published on Jan 6, 2016 The Swiss will vote on the issue on February 28. A rigorous deportation of foreign criminals: the conservative right People’s Party took this issue to the polls in November 2010. The initiative was approved by 52.9% of the electorate. However, the initiative’s implementation soon became a source of conflict. Parliament – the legislators – struggled, rewording some…

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Tax initiative in hot water over marriage definition

This content was published on Jan 6, 2016 The question of so-called tax penalisation of marriage as compared to living together has been argued about for decades in Switzerland. It goes back to 1984 and a decision of the Supreme Court that tax levied on a married couple is unconstitutional if it exceeds by 10% the amount they would have to pay if…

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‘The Germans are finally ripe for democracy’

This content was published on Jan 4, 2016 Germany’s More Democracy group is an example of worldwide attempts to boost citizens’ participation in politics. Two representatives of the NGO told swissinfo.ch about the potential risks of direct democracy. The building in the heart of Berlin that houses More Democracy External link(Mehr Demokratie) is somewhat pompously called House of Democracy and Human Rights. Close…

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Mixed reviews for presidential democracy policy

This content was published on Dec 30, 2015 It wasn’t about proposing changes but about raising awareness of Switzerland’s unique system with citizens’ direct participation in politics and a warning against attempts by a political party to turn upside down a proven system, she counters. Sommaruga had promising plans when parliament in December 2014 elected her as president for the following year. “I’d…

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Amid threats, former Belgian leader talks democracy and freedom

This content was published on Dec 27, 2015 Now the secretary general of the inter-governmental democracy organisation International IDEA, Leterme also said he was optimistic about democratic processes underway in countries such as Tunisia, Mynamar and Nepal. swissinfo.ch: International IDEA is an inter-governmental organisation that was founded 20 years ago to promote democracy around the world. How exactly does it do that? Yves…

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Archive – Democracy

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When Swiss voters gave rights to Jews

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One small step for Taiwan, big one for China

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Global people power challenges in 2016

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Asylum and secret service reform to go to public votes

More

EU has choice between referendum and reform

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Deportation initiative back before voters

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Tax initiative in hot water over marriage definition

More

‘The Germans are finally ripe for democracy’

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Mixed reviews for presidential democracy policy

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Amid threats, former Belgian leader talks democracy and freedom

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