Cluster: Democracy

Why not go to the polls – despite a Swiss passport?

This content was published on Feb 1, 2016 On average, every other person, who is eligible to vote, goes to the polls in Switzerland. Turnout is much higher in the rest of Europe with three out of four people with voting rights casting their ballots in our neighbouring countries. This is not true for naturalised citizens in these countries though. A study conducted…

Democracy

‘It is easy to be critical when you have always known freedom’

This content was published on Jan 29, 2016 The 17 year-old is one of the new voices of the Swiss expat community living which gave birth to the Youth Parliament of the Swiss AbroadExternal link (YPSA). In a series of interviews, swissinfo.ch sought out the views of members of the parliament’s committee. swissinfo.ch: What do you want to achieve as a member of the…

Democracy

Ticino initiative prioritising locals for jobs declared valid

This content was published on Jan 26, 2016 Baptised “Primi i nostri” or “Ours first”, the initiative seeks to ensure that Ticino natives get preference when competing for jobs against foreigners with the same qualifications. The objective is to ostensibly prevent companies from undercutting local wages by employing cross-border workers from neighbouring Italy on lower salaries. In April 2014, the initiative was handed…

Opinion

Democracy

Down Under’s ‘unlucky’ hand with people power

This content was published on Jan 25, 2016 First there is nothing, then there is nothing and finally I see a signpost – in the middle of nowhere. We have been travelling for many hours through the vast Nullarbor plain between South and Western Australia, two of the six states constituting the Commonwealth. ”Welcome to the lucky country,” wrote a friend of mine…

Democracy

Poll sees light at end of Gotthard road tunnel

This content was published on Jan 22, 2016 The leading GfS Bern research institute polled Swiss citizens ten days ago on four separate issues which will be decided at the end of next month. For details, see the graphic below. The survey was commissioned by the Swiss Broadcasting Corporation (SBC), swissinfo.ch’s parent company. Figures published on Friday show government plans for a second…

Democracy

When Swiss voters gave rights to Jews

This content was published on Jan 22, 2016 In January 1866, Jews living in Switzerland were granted the right to settle anywhere in the country.

Democracy

One small step for Taiwan, big one for China

This content was published on Jan 19, 2016 Bejing International Airport. Six years ago. Together with my family I am rushed through the Chinese capital’s international airport by several dozen security staff as we are about to board one of the very first scheduled direct flights between China and Taiwan. The two states across the Taiwan Strait have had no regular neighbourly relations…

Opinion

Democracy

Global people power challenges in 2016

This content was published on Jan 16, 2016 After an annus horribilis in 2015, the new year begins with new democratic opportunities – on all political levels. A preview by Bruno Kaufmann from people2power.

Democracy

Asylum and secret service reform to go to public votes

This content was published on Jan 15, 2016 An alliance of leftwing politicians and representatives of civil rights groups said they had handed in 67,000 signatures to the Federal Chancellery to force a nationwide vote. The committee says the reform of a law, which gives intelligence services increased powers to monitor private communications over the internet and telephones and bug privates homes, is…

Democracy

EU has choice between referendum and reform

This content was published on Jan 9, 2016 Since the creation of the EU in the 1950s up until the end of December 2015, a total of 55 public ballots have been held in various European countries, including Switzerland, on integration into the multi-nation bloc. The first ballot box decision dates back to 1972 in France. Voters in Denmark were the latest to…

Cluster: Democracy

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Cluster: Democracy

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Why not go to the polls – despite a Swiss passport?

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‘It is easy to be critical when you have always known freedom’

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Ticino initiative prioritising locals for jobs declared valid

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Down Under’s ‘unlucky’ hand with people power

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Poll sees light at end of Gotthard road tunnel

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When Swiss voters gave rights to Jews

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One small step for Taiwan, big one for China

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Global people power challenges in 2016

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Asylum and secret service reform to go to public votes

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EU has choice between referendum and reform

Popular Stories

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