Cluster: Democracy

Are popular votes the answer to Italy’s problems?

This content was published on Apr 14, 2016 Italy’s Prime Minister Matteo Renzi is not known for a particular fondness of his much older predecessors. Yet the 41-year old former mayor of Florence sometimes sounds just like some of them. ”Now Italy is the most stable country in Europe. People power has won,” he commented on the approval of a new constitution by…

Democracy

Swiss vote again on genetic screening

This content was published on Apr 14, 2016 One year after the Swiss electorate accepted a constitutional amendment allowing preimplantation genetic diagnosis (PGD), the question is again being put to the vote. Pro-life groups are attacking the federal law implementing the amendment via a referendum, but they are not the only ones going into battle – parliamentarians across the political spectrum also believe the new text goes too far.

Opinion

Democracy

How active citizens contribute to modern science

This content was published on Apr 11, 2016 It was just after dawn and a freezing wind blew around my binoculars and into my face as I stood scanning a steely Atlantic bay. Suddenly, where there appeared to be nothing but white caps, my eyes sorted out a thin conga line of ducks. Surf scoters have white feathers that make them look like…

Democracy

‘New form of democracy in my country is a great thing’

This content was published on Apr 9, 2016 The 19-year old student of law in Santiago de Chile is a fresh voice of the Swiss Abroad community. swissinfo.ch gives the floor to leading members of the newly-founded online youth parliament. swissinfo.ch: What do you want to achieve as a member of the new youth parliament of the Swiss abroad – first of all…

Opinion

Democracy

Dutch citizens’ veto: Panacea for democratic ills?

This content was published on Apr 4, 2016 After the vote on the EU Constitutional Treaty in 2005, it is only the second referendum in modern Dutch history. Applauded by some as welcome democratic reform, the design and use of the new popular right is a detraction, criticises political scientist Saskia Hollander from Amsterdam. On April 6, Dutch voters will have their say…

Democracy

‘Other countries should follow the Swiss example’

This content was published on Apr 3, 2016 The 17-year old student from Prague is a fresh voice of the Swiss Abroad community. swissinfo.ch gives the floor to leading members of the newly-founded online youth parliament. swissinfo.ch: What do you want to achieve as a member of the new youth parliament of the Swiss abroad – first of all in Switzerland, and second…

Democracy

Youth call for own national parliament

This content was published on Apr 3, 2016 In the past 20 years, 65 youth parliaments and councils have been formed in Swiss cantons and communes, as well as in Liechtenstein. But there is no overarching national body. Currently the biggest platform dedicated to representing young people’s political interests was the Youth SessionExternal link held at the Swiss parliament, which is held once a…

Democracy

‘Experts shouldn’t have too much say in running society’

This content was published on Apr 3, 2016 Are some popular votes too complicated for those of us without economics degrees? Why and how should people become ‘active economic citizens’?

Democracy

The 2015 elections in pictures

This content was published on Apr 2, 2016 They attended party gatherings out in the country and watched candidates in public debates and personal publicity stunts. They trained their lenses on politicians at press conferences and at work. What’s more, accredited photographers enjoy the privilege of unrestricted access to both chambers: the Senate and the House of Representatives. This is unique in Europe. …

Democracy

‘The Swiss are not model democrats’

This content was published on Apr 1, 2016 Indeed, some 90% of those eligible to vote cast a ballot. Very few, however, do so every time. The people who always vote tend to be politically well informed, Lanz explained in this syndicated interview with the newspapers, Tages-Anzeiger and Der Bund. Felix Schindler: Your study found that only 10% of those entitled to vote…

Cluster: Democracy

Popular Stories

Most Discussed

Cluster: Democracy

More

Are popular votes the answer to Italy’s problems?

More

Swiss vote again on genetic screening

More

How active citizens contribute to modern science

More

‘New form of democracy in my country is a great thing’

More

Dutch citizens’ veto: Panacea for democratic ills?

More

‘Other countries should follow the Swiss example’

More

Youth call for own national parliament

More

‘Experts shouldn’t have too much say in running society’

More

The 2015 elections in pictures

More

‘The Swiss are not model democrats’

Popular Stories

Most Discussed