Cluster: 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…

Democracy

Has social media swallowed the Swiss news?

This content was published on Aug 24, 2016 Media researcher Linards UdrisExternal link says that social media is needed to reach a younger audience, but it brings no financial rewards. Soft news and emotional reporting are becoming more popular. Most Swiss media companies – including swissinfo.ch – are on FacebookExternal link, TwitterExternal link and YouTubeExternal link. This has affected how the news is…

Democracy

Encouraging citizen participation in politics

This content was published on Aug 24, 2016 The additional protocol of the European charter on local self-governmentExternal link aims to enshrine legal guarantees for citizens to participate in local politics, including local elections or access to legal documents, according to a justice ministry statement on Wednesday. The protocol, which came into force in 2012, also requires measures be taken to ensure transparency…

Democracy

Citizens to sue government over climate policy

This content was published on Aug 23, 2016 A group of women is planning to take the Swiss government to court over its alleged failure to take the necessary measures to combat climate change.

Democracy

Direct democracy in a US election year

This content was published on Aug 23, 2016 A representative system in one, a direct democracy in the other? In reality, both the United States and Switzerland are ‘hybrid’ democracies.

Democracy

Fear of terrorism spurs secret service reform

This content was published on Aug 19, 2016 The legal amendment will give the intelligence service the greenlight to tap private emails and monitor other online activities. The survey, published by the GfS Bern research and polling institute on Friday, found 58% of respondents coming out in favour of the change to the law, which was approved by parliament last year. Opponents of…

Democracy

Strong public service media are good for democracy

This content was published on Aug 17, 2016 The existence of solid, well-financed public service media is a sign of an equally solid democracy. That’s one of the conclusions of a study led by the European Broadcasting Union (EBU).

Cluster: Democracy

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Cluster: Democracy

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“Flood” of people’s initiatives poses no threat

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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

More

Has social media swallowed the Swiss news?

More

Encouraging citizen participation in politics

More

Citizens to sue government over climate policy

More

Direct democracy in a US election year

More

Fear of terrorism spurs secret service reform

More

Strong public service media are good for democracy

Popular Stories

Most Discussed