Archive – Democracy

Immigration vote leaves foreigners mired in confusion

This content was published on Apr 23, 2014 “I’ve worked in Belgium, Ireland and Cyprus before here and all that is the result of the EU, so for me it’s ironic to be for the first time in the middle of Europe and not be part of it, and now get the message that we are not even sure we can stay,” declared…

The minimum wage makes a comeback

This content was published on Apr 18, 2014 There has been a flurry of recent interest in the issue of minimum earnings around the world. Across the Atlantic, US President Barack Obama has backed plans to raise the federal minimum wage level by 40% to $10.10 (CHF8.90) per hour. It is not clear whether the proposal will gain a majority in Congress, but…

Are Gripen trade promises just an illusion?

This content was published on Apr 17, 2014 “I’ll buy 22 of your planes for CHF2.2 billion ($2.5 billion) and you, Saab, promise to sign contracts of an equal amount with Swiss companies.” That is a simplistic summary of the agreement the Swiss government wants to sign with the Swedish constructor – as long as Swiss voters play their part on May 18…

Paedophiles ‘live in incredible shame’

This content was published on Apr 15, 2014 Director of the Forensic Institute of Eastern Switzerland (Forio) for the past decade, Egli-Alge gives expert assessments in civil and criminal cases and treats court-referred offenders. However, the majority of her patients are men with no criminal convictions who have come forward voluntarily for help. swissinfo.ch: In today’s society, paedophiles are the untouchables. It is…

Should new jets or neighbours defend Swiss skies?

This content was published on Apr 9, 2014 In the early hours of February 16 an Ethiopian Airlines passenger plane bound for Rome was hijacked. Seeking asylum in Switzerland, the co-pilot flew the plane further northwest. The airliner was intercepted by Italian Eurofighter jets, then handed over to the French Air Force before it landed at Geneva airport. The Swiss Air Force did…

Most EU benefit seekers are ‘working poor’

This content was published on Apr 4, 2014 According to a report by the House of Representatives control committee, published on Friday, more than half of the people from the European Union drawing social benefits in Switzerland were neither unemployed nor looking for work, but were the so-called “working poor” on low wages. Those working in the construction and hotel industries, in the…

Democratic? The canton where voting is compulsory

This content was published on Apr 4, 2014 Canton Schaffhausen’s parliament voted on March 17 to double the penalty to CHF6 ($6.6). This may seem a small amount, but for the region’s proud authorities and residents, it has a symbolic value. It is a sunny spring morning as the train pulls into Schaffhausen station. We have already passed the Rhine Falls, Europe’s largest…

Immigration vote result highlights Swiss unease

This content was published on Apr 3, 2014 The VOX analysis shows that the vote, which was 50.3% in favour of the initiative, was marked by a strong left-right opposition. Supporters of the rightwing Swiss People’s Party voted massively in favour of the proposal to limit immigration from the European Union – a stance mirrored by the members of the centre-left Social Democratic…

Germany’s president questions Swiss voting system

This content was published on Apr 1, 2014 On the first day of his two-day state visit to Switzerland, Gauck held talks with this year’s Swiss president, Didier Burkhalter and Justice Minister Simonetta Sommaruga. Burkhalter countered Gauck’s criticism by emphasising that direct democracy is a cornerstone of Swiss culture and brings with it the necessity to accept when the majority votes against the…

H&M to introduce new minimum wage

This content was published on Mar 31, 2014 The leading clothing shop has raised the minimum amount it will pay staff to the level called for by the trade union, Unia, in an initiative which will go to a nationwide vote on May 18. The group has been lobbying various fashion shops to improve pay to this level for years. H&M told swissinfo.ch that…

Archive – Democracy

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Archive – Democracy

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Immigration vote leaves foreigners mired in confusion

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The minimum wage makes a comeback

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Are Gripen trade promises just an illusion?

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Paedophiles ‘live in incredible shame’

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Should new jets or neighbours defend Swiss skies?

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Most EU benefit seekers are ‘working poor’

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Democratic? The canton where voting is compulsory

More

Immigration vote result highlights Swiss unease

More

Germany’s president questions Swiss voting system

More

H&M to introduce new minimum wage

Popular Stories

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