Cluster: Democracy

Polls see slight move to right in election campaign

This content was published on Oct 7, 2015 The fourth poll, carried out by the leading Swiss pollster GfS Bern research institute this year, reaffirms slight gains for the two main political parties to the right. The People’s Party, Switzerland’s biggest party, had the support of 27.9% of respondents (compared with 26.6% of voters in the 2011 elections) while the Radical Party stood…

Democracy

Citizens put brakes on truck purchase

This content was published on Oct 6, 2015 The obstacles to buying a new truck speak volumes about citizen participation in the day-to-day running of Swiss communes.

Opinion

Democracy

Catalonia torn in two

This content was published on Oct 5, 2015 To understand the ‘Catalan question’ it is important to bear in mind that until recently Catalonian society was roughly split into three parts. One-third was formed by the communion of the rural population and the urban middle and upper classes who feel that Catalonia is a stand-alone nation due to its own language and culture,…

Is a ‘burka ban’ really necessary in Switzerland?

This content was published on Sep 29, 2015 Several European countries have banned in public places the wearing of veils or any kind of clothing that hides the face. Now supporters of a people’s initiative want to do the same throughout Switzerland. Two parliamentarians debate the issue.

Democracy

Urban and rural areas still split on political lines

This content was published on Sep 29, 2015 Whether a commune is left or right largely depends on its attitude towards the police and the army, environmental protection or asylum-related issues. Being on the conservative side usually means being sceptical towards openness and change whereas a progressive commune is generally in favour of social reforms. This tendency is also reflected by the Swiss…

Democracy

Development goals to involve citizens, Swiss president

This content was published on Sep 28, 2015 Addressing a United Nations summit in New York, Sommaruga said civil society as well as the private sector, politics and academic experts were closely involved in the process of defining Switzerland’s priorities for the 2030 AgendaExternal link. That agenda calls on countries to implement the new sustainable development goals (SDGs) by 2030. “In implementing the…

Democracy

Campaign posters freshened up for young voters

This content was published on Sep 25, 2015 Political abstention among young people is a familiar phenomenon in the western world. It’s often said that the issues at stake are too complex, politics lack public appeal or that political parties are out of touch with the younger generation and their way of communicating. That’s no different in Switzerland. Although there are few reliable…

Democracy

Abstention doesn’t necessarily equate with disinterest

This content was published on Sep 22, 2015 Neighbouring Germany registered its lowest participation rate of 70.8% during the 2009 parliamentary elections, while in France, observers were dismayed when turnout in the 2012 legislative elections dropped below 60%. In Switzerland, where you have to go back 40 years to find an election in which more than 50% of the population voted, such figures…

Democracy

Democracy through the lens of a Swiss filmmaker

This content was published on Sep 19, 2015 Little did Isler know when he started researching his documentary how current affairs would influence his project. The recent approval of controversial initiatives, including a ban on the construction of minarets, the automatic deportation of convicted criminal foreigners and curbs on immigration, made the documentary filmmaker want to examine more closely what was happening with…

Democracy

‘Democracy is a complex and vulnerable process’

This content was published on Sep 15, 2015 Speaking on the International Day of Democracy on Tuesday, Burkhalter said such a system is complex and fragile, and takes time to develop. “Working for democracy is a constant work in progress for all of us. Democracy is not a static framework, it is a system driven by the people, changing accordingly; it is as…

Cluster: Democracy

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Cluster: Democracy

More

Polls see slight move to right in election campaign

More

Citizens put brakes on truck purchase

More

Catalonia torn in two

More

Is a ‘burka ban’ really necessary in Switzerland?

More

Urban and rural areas still split on political lines

More

Development goals to involve citizens, Swiss president

More

Campaign posters freshened up for young voters

More

Abstention doesn’t necessarily equate with disinterest

More

Democracy through the lens of a Swiss filmmaker

More

‘Democracy is a complex and vulnerable process’

Popular Stories

Most Discussed