Cluster: Democracy

Safety and environment drive road tunnel vote

This content was published on Feb 27, 2016 A broad coalition of environmental groups and mainly leftwing parties is challenging last year’s decision by parliament to build a second 17km tube through the Gotthard massif in the heart of Switzerland. The government says the existing tunnel needs renovation after more than 35 years. A second parallel arm would absorb the more than 17,000…

Democracy

The future is democratic

This content was published on Feb 26, 2016 Switzerland is strong and beautiful because it is a democracy. The country is defined by its constructive grassroots “debate culture”.

‘We have to stand firm, using our democratic societies’

This content was published on Feb 22, 2016 The 19-year old language student from Sweden is a fresh voice of the Swiss Abroad community. swissinfo.ch presents a series a 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…

Democracy

‘Democracy is developing little by little in Tunisia’

This content was published on Feb 20, 2016 The 20-year old from Djerba 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 in…

Democracy

Most Swiss do actually vote

This content was published on Feb 16, 2016 According to the Federal Statistics Office, the average voter turnout for nationwide votes in Switzerland – which prides itself as the cradle of direct democracy – was around 43% last year. For example, the figures were around that level External linkfor the votes of June 14, 2015 on genetic testing, inheritance tax and public broadcasting…

‘Connect people in the Oceania region with those in Switzerland’

This content was published on Feb 14, 2016 The 19-year old, who lives in Perth 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…

Democracy

Political parties driving force behind initiatives

This content was published on Feb 11, 2016 The number of submitted initiatives has neither skyrocketed nor is the increase a coincidence as an analysis found. However, there are good reasons why the use of direct democracy is on the rise. Since the beginning of 2014, the Swiss citizens have had the final say on 13 initiatives. This is a lot compared to…

Democracy

Direct democracy also has its user guide

This content was published on Feb 9, 2016 While this form of communication has its critics, its proponents believe that it is an indispensable part of direct democracy. The “explanations by the cabinet” are sent to all citizens’ homes three weeks before a vote takes place. This is a standard procedure laid down by law, which is repeated before each nationwide vote. The…

Democracy

‘Italy should learn from Swiss direct democracy’

This content was published on Feb 7, 2016 The 27-year-old engineering graduate student is one of the new voices of Switzerland’s diaspora who have started a Youth Parliament of the Swiss AbroadExternal link. In a series of interviews, swissinfo.ch talks to members of the group’s committee. swissinfo.ch: What do you want to achieve as a member of the new youth parliament of the…

Opinion

Democracy

Direct democracy key to more people power in US

This content was published on Feb 5, 2016 Today, 24 states allow citizens to directly vote on policy matters. This year, more than 42 initiatives already are approved for the ballot in 18 states. Voters in California will decide diverse questions including banning plasticExternal link bags, voter approval of state expenses greater than $2 billion (CHF2 billion), improving school funding, and the future…

Cluster: Democracy

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Cluster: Democracy

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Safety and environment drive road tunnel vote

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The future is democratic

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‘We have to stand firm, using our democratic societies’

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‘Democracy is developing little by little in Tunisia’

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Most Swiss do actually vote

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‘Connect people in the Oceania region with those in Switzerland’

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Political parties driving force behind initiatives

More

Direct democracy also has its user guide

More

‘Italy should learn from Swiss direct democracy’

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Direct democracy key to more people power in US

Popular Stories

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