Cluster: Democracy

Hungary’s government makes use of democracy rights

This content was published on Sep 29, 2016 “The ruling elite has colonised direct democracy and exploits it for its own purposes,” says Zoltán Tibor PállingerExternal link, a Swiss-Hungarian political scientist from Budapest’s Andrássy University. The referendum, a key tool of citizens’ participation in politics, became increasingly important after Hungary’s peaceful revolution in 1989. Votes took place about Hungary’s membership of the EU…

Democracy

Citizens force ballot box decision on new constitution

This content was published on Sep 28, 2016 Under Switzerland’s federalist structure, the country is divided into 26 cantons. These enjoy a high degree of autonomy with governments, parliaments, courts and constitutions of their own. Most of these “states” have overhauled their charters in the past 50 years, having joined modern Switzerland in 1848. The promoters of the reform in Valais argue it…

Democracy

Swiss Abroad greener and more pension-friendly

This content was published on Sep 26, 2016 The Swiss abroad voted somewhat differently from their fellow countrymen and women in two out of three of the issues at stake on Sunday.

Democracy

Swiss blue chips: US staff favour Republicans

This content was published on Sep 26, 2016 American employees of Swiss blue-chip businesses are betting on the prospect of a Donald Trump presidency and Republican business policies.

Democracy

Ticino wants to protect residents on labour market

This content was published on Sep 25, 2016 The initiative by the rightwing Swiss People’s Party won more than 59.4% of the vote on Sunday. Turnout was 44%. However, analysts say the proposal will be difficult to apply because it is not compatible with the Swiss constitution and could be in breach of international treaties, according to opponents of the proposal. The initiative…

Democracy

Secret service agents have licence to hack computers

This content was published on Sep 25, 2016 Voters have approved a law letting the Swiss intelligence service monitor private cyberspace activities to prevent terrorist attacks.

Democracy

Strict enforcement of initiative rejected

This content was published on Sep 22, 2016 The House of Representatives on Wednesday showed its preference for a “light” version of the people’s initiative approved in 2014 calling for the re-introduction of annual immigration quotas. This version is aimed at keeping peace with the EU by preserving economic treaties but alleviating some of the foreign pressure on the Swiss job market. Under…

Democracy

Campaigners launch ‘initiative for fair prices’

This content was published on Sep 20, 2016 “Multinational companies keep prices up in Switzerland arbitrarily to absorb the high purchasing power. Consumers, small- and medium-sized entreprises (SMEs) and state-run schools or hospitals pay the price,” said Prisca Birrer-Heimo at a news conference on Tuesday. The president of a leading consumer organisation criticised the fact that Swiss prices are often higher for identical…

Democracy

E-voting welcomed despite security concerns

This content was published on Sep 19, 2016 The survey, commissioned by the Centre for Democracy StudiesExternal link and published on Monday, found that more than two out of three respondents across age groups, gender and party political affiliation would like to see e-voting for all citizens. Trials with e-voting have been underway since 2003 in different cantons, notably involving registered members of…

Democracy

Should parliamentarians be drawn by lot?

This content was published on Sep 18, 2016 The group says everybody would be free to accept or reject the task. The designated person would get twelve months of training to learn the ropes before she or he takes up a four-year mandate. And just like a regular parliamentarian, the citizen would benefit from an annual salary of CHF130,000 ($133,400), plus expenses. In…

Cluster: Democracy

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Cluster: Democracy

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Hungary’s government makes use of democracy rights

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Citizens force ballot box decision on new constitution

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Swiss Abroad greener and more pension-friendly

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Swiss blue chips: US staff favour Republicans

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Ticino wants to protect residents on labour market

More

Secret service agents have licence to hack computers

More

Strict enforcement of initiative rejected

More

Campaigners launch ‘initiative for fair prices’

More

E-voting welcomed despite security concerns

More

Should parliamentarians be drawn by lot?

Popular Stories

Most Discussed