Archive – Democracy

Health vote splits opinion but set for defeat

This content was published on Aug 22, 2014 The proposal to introduce a single health insurance scheme strongly divides the different language regions in Switzerland ahead of a nationwide ballot on September 28. Pollsters expect a majority of voters to reject the initiative.

Pro-life group fails to win support for initiative

This content was published on Aug 19, 2014 The initiators of a popular initiative demanding the prohibition of abortions in Switzerland have failed to collect a sufficient number of signatures.

Quotas create dilemma for rightwing employers

This content was published on Aug 19, 2014 “No system is free. There is always a price to pay,” warns Urs Meister of the think tank Avenir Suisse. However, entrepreneurs from the rightwing Swiss People’s Party, which pushed through quotas at the ballot box, seem unfazed. Members of the People’s Party who run their own business and are, or have been, parliamentarians are…

Opinion

An independent country? Scotland and direct democracy

This content was published on Aug 19, 2014 Whatever the result, the Scottish example shows it is possible for a nation to debate fundamental questions of national identity in an intelligent, informed and inclusive way.

Vaud pays high price for local democracy

This content was published on Aug 15, 2014 The French-speaking regional newspaper 24heures External link published an article on Friday highlighting a growing trend in canton Vaud for local grassroots opposition via popular referendums to urban planning. The cities and towns of Lausanne, Aigle, Chavannes-près-Renens, Bussigny, Bassins, Yvorne and Le Vaud have all experienced a spate of citizen-initiated referendums in recent months. “It’s a…

E-voting wins ground despite risks and setbacks

This content was published on Aug 14, 2014 Swiss expats registered in 14 of the country’s 26 cantons will be able to participate in the 2015 elections to the House of Representatives. In 12 cantons they can also help choose the members of the Senate. “139 of the 200 seat in house will be affected,” says Thomas Kalau, a senior official in the…

Swiss law precedence is ‘danger for democracy’

This content was published on Aug 13, 2014 According to the German-language dailies Tages-Anzeiger and Der BundExternal link, the idea of a possible constitutional amendment in the field of “national law versus international law” put forward by the People’s Party represents a “danger for democracy”. In an editorial, they said such a move would have “incalculable consequences” such as forcing Switzerland to leave…

Opinion

How to (mis)understand Swiss direct democracy

This content was published on Aug 13, 2014 The world tends to misinterprets the promises and perils of Switzerland’s direct democracy – but this may soon change, says journalist Bruno Kaufmann.

Direct democracy expands in Germany

This content was published on Aug 12, 2014 Direct democracy is not a Swiss invention, but this system has been widely used and developed in the alpine republic since the 19th century. So much so that Switzerland is seen as one of the most advanced democracies and held up as an example in many places. A quick opinion poll by swissinfo.ch among passersby…

International vs national law: a manufactured controversy?

This content was published on Jul 28, 2014 The rightwing Swiss People’s Party is calling for a people’s initiative, saying that “democratically legitimised Swiss law” should take precedent over international law, despite the constitution stating the opposite. But human rights experts say the conflict is artificial.

Archive – Democracy

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Archive – Democracy

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Health vote splits opinion but set for defeat

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Pro-life group fails to win support for initiative

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Quotas create dilemma for rightwing employers

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An independent country? Scotland and direct democracy

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Vaud pays high price for local democracy

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E-voting wins ground despite risks and setbacks

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Swiss law precedence is ‘danger for democracy’

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How to (mis)understand Swiss direct democracy

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Direct democracy expands in Germany

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International vs national law: a manufactured controversy?

Popular Stories

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