Cluster: Democracy

Secret service reforms: ‘a problematic shifting of responsibility’

This content was published on Sep 14, 2016 The new intelligence law (see infobox) leads to a problematic fusion of competences of criminal prosecutors and the security services and puts at risk proven principles of our constitutional state. In a constitutional state, the authority for investigation and surveillance lies with the civil investigating authorities and not with the secret service. As a result,…

Democracy

Poll shows waning support for green economy initiative

This content was published on Sep 14, 2016 “There is a clear trend towards a No majority,” says political scientist Martina Mousson of the GfS Bern polling and research institute, which carried out the poll. The initiative lost 10% of its backing among respondents compared with a previous survey four weeks ago. At the same time, opponents of the initiative put forward by…

Democracy

Geneva mounts e-voting charm offensive

This content was published on Sep 13, 2016 Currently, only six of Switzerland’s 26 cantons offer remote online voting to a limited number of their citizens. The long-term trials with e-voting suffered a severe setback last year after the Swiss government stopped the use of an American system on security grounds. Since then, there has been a head-to-head contest between two technologies licensed…

Opinion

Democracy

Voting until you get the result you want

This content was published on Sep 10, 2016 Referendums, or plebiscites, are generally used in different parts of the world as an instrument of power, not democracy. In authoritarian regimes they are used as signs of strength to flatter leaders and to show off the ability to mobilize citizens, thus sending a clear signal both internally and abroad. In semi-democratic regimes they are…

Democracy

No e-vote counting at open-air assembly

This content was published on Sep 7, 2016 Based on an expert study, the government decided that the current system of approximate estimations of the number of raised hands for votes at the annual assembly on the town square should be continued. “It does not make sense to interfere with a proven procedure as there is no need for a change,” the government…

Democracy

Tapped for public office, but unwilling to serve

This content was published on Sep 5, 2016 Switzerland’s tradition of non-professional, “militia” politics at the local, cantonal and national levels. It is a system that largely depends on the voluntary participation of its citizens. When that doesn’t happen, communities can force citizens to serve on a local council. Municipalities with between 5,000 to 10,000 residents are particularly hard hit by the declining…

Democracy

“Flood” of people’s initiatives poses no threat

This content was published on Aug 30, 2016 Calls for a reform of the system of direct democracy are a recurrent topic in Swiss politics. Over the past few months, several politicians and experts have suggested setting a higher threshold for the minimum number of signatures for initiatives and referendums. A small centre-right political party wants to link the number of signatures to…

Democracy

Why the voice of citizens counts before they vote

This content was published on Aug 28, 2016 The 59-year-old political scientist stepped down as director of the leading GfS Bern research and polling institute earlier this year. He will remain chairman until 2019. Longchamp, known to many television viewers as “the man with the bow tie”, has an undeniable expertise of nationwide votes in Switzerland. He talks to swissinfo.ch about direct democracy,…

Democracy

Swiss strongly favour burka ban: newspapers

This content was published on Aug 28, 2016 An overwhelming 71% of the Swiss population would support a nationwide burka ban, according to a new survey published on Sunday.

Democracy

Cambodia’s direct democracy weakened but not broken

This content was published on Aug 25, 2016 “The death of Kem Ley is a loss, but he woke up the youth, he woke up hundreds of thousands of people,” says Yeng Virak, president of the Grassroots Democracy Party (GDP). “And today a growing number of people now dare to speak out.” According to Yeng there are Kem Leys everywhere in Cambodia. These…

Cluster: Democracy

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Cluster: Democracy

More

Secret service reforms: ‘a problematic shifting of responsibility’

More

Poll shows waning support for green economy initiative

More

Geneva mounts e-voting charm offensive

More

Voting until you get the result you want

More

No e-vote counting at open-air assembly

More

Tapped for public office, but unwilling to serve

More

“Flood” of people’s initiatives poses no threat

More

Why the voice of citizens counts before they vote

More

Swiss strongly favour burka ban: newspapers

More

Cambodia’s direct democracy weakened but not broken

Popular Stories

Most Discussed