Cluster: Democracy

Democratic system ‘needs debate more than reform’

This content was published on Jul 18, 2015 Moritz Leuenberger and Pascal Couchepin were both dominant figures in the government from the mid-1990s for more than a decade. They served as interior, economic and transport ministers in the seven-member cabinet. They retired more than five years ago but regularly comment on politics, also adding their voice to ongoing discussions about direct democracy and…

Democracy

When will the Swiss vote on same-sex marriage?

This content was published on Jul 14, 2015 Equal rights campaigners have had reason to celebrate over the past few weeks. In June, the US Supreme Court legalised same-sex marriages, about a month after voters in Ireland approved a proposal to extend civil marriage rights to gay and lesbian couples. How long before Swiss citizens will have their say on a similar proposal…

Democracy

Sex ed ban will not be put to a nationwide ballot

This content was published on Jul 14, 2015 “It put a check on the sexualisation of our children at an early age,” a statement said. The group mentions five reasons for the withdrawal, including a growing awareness of the topic among the population, the closure of a centre of competence at a teacher’s training college and the removal of “pornographic material” from teaching…

Democracy

Swiss government supports stronger local rights

This content was published on Jul 9, 2015 A three-month national consultation process on the matter began in mid-June. The Additional Protocol to the European Charter of Local Self-Government on the right to participate in the affairs of a local authorityExternal link is “the sole legally binding document of the Council of Europe with regard to participative democracy”, the government says. Its call…

Democracy

Press predict Greek euro exit after referendum

This content was published on Jul 6, 2015 “Greeks follow the government into chaos” screamed an editorial in the Tages-Anzeiger newspaper. “Playing poker with the highest stakes” said Blick, whilst Le Temps interpreted Greece’s referendum result as “The No that shakes Europe”. On Sunday, just over 60% of Greek voters followed their government’s advice to reject a list of savings measures that included…

Democracy

Have the Swiss abroad votes made all the difference?

This content was published on Jun 27, 2015 Rarely has a nationwide vote in Switzerland been decided by such a slim margin. On June 14, the Yes and No votes were only about 3,200 apart, less than 0.2 percentage points according to provisional final results. Without the votes of Swiss living abroad, the proposal would not have passed, it now appears from the…

Democracy

Luck with lists and misfortune with proportional representation

This content was published on Jun 26, 2015 In 2011, the Swiss People’s Party suffered a historic setback in elections for the House of Representatives. In contrast to the 2007 elections, the People’s Party lost 2.3% of the vote. Even more devastating was the loss of eight seats due to list combinations. If that system had not existed, the People’s Party would have…

Democracy

Swiss help Myanmar with democratic guidelines

This content was published on Jun 25, 2015 Swiss diplomats have been helping Myanmar draw up a democratic code of good conduct for the southeast nation’s 73 political parties. This comes as the country gears up for a historic election in November, the first free vote in 25 years.

Democracy

Political centre-right on the rise, say polls

This content was published on Jun 24, 2015 The centre-right Radical Party has made the biggest gains since the previous poll in March. It remains the third-strongest political group on 17.1% compared with 15.1% in the 2011 elections, behind the conservative right Swiss People’s Party (26.1%; down 0.5%) and the leftwing Social Democrats (19.3%; up 0.6%) but ahead of the centrist Christian Democrats…

Democracy

The worst form of government – apart from everything else

This content was published on Jun 20, 2015 Switzerland’s unique form of direct democracy is praised around the world. But is it perfect?

Cluster: Democracy

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Cluster: Democracy

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Democratic system ‘needs debate more than reform’

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When will the Swiss vote on same-sex marriage?

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Sex ed ban will not be put to a nationwide ballot

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Swiss government supports stronger local rights

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Press predict Greek euro exit after referendum

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Have the Swiss abroad votes made all the difference?

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Luck with lists and misfortune with proportional representation

More

Swiss help Myanmar with democratic guidelines

More

Political centre-right on the rise, say polls

More

The worst form of government – apart from everything else

Popular Stories

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