Cluster: Democracy

Applying the ‘burka ban’ will not be easy

This content was published on Oct 27, 2015 The initiative was accepted by 65.4% of Ticino citizens in September 2013 and was the first time that a ban of this kind, which mainly concerns the wearing of the burka and niqab, had been decided by a popular vote. It has already inspired an initiative for a Switzerland-wide ban, launched at the end of…

Democracy

Parliament shifts to the right

This content was published on Oct 19, 2015 The conservative right Swiss People’s Party made large gains in the House of Representatives, increasing its share of the vote to 29.4% from 26.6% – winning an additional 11 seats, according to final results published early on Monday. It is a record result for Switzerland’s leading party, which is known for its anti-immigration stance. “Voters…

Democracy

Political right eyes gains in Sunday’s polls

This content was published on Oct 17, 2015 At stake are the 200 seats in the House of Representatives and 45 out of 46 seats in the Senate. Final results for the house are expected on Monday, while the Senate race is unlikely to be decided in several cantons until run-off elections next month. Most polls and forecasts see the two main parties…

Democracy

Debating the best way to engage youth in politics

This content was published on Oct 14, 2015 Organised by the Inter-Parliamentary UnionExternal link (IPU), the debate of 17- and 18-year olds with politicians came to the broad conclusion that young people must learn to use the tools of democracy so they are less intimidated by the prospect of overt participation. The meeting took place as part of the Geneva Democracy Week in…

Democracy

Hopefuls galore vie for parliament seats

This content was published on Oct 12, 2015 A record number of candidates is hoping to win a seat in Switzerland’s parliamentary elections on October 18.

Democracy

Tunisian democracy-building group wins Nobel Peace Prize

This content was published on Oct 9, 2015 The quartet is made up of the Tunisian General Labor Union (UGTT), the Tunisian Confederation of Industry, Trade and Handicrafts (UTICA), the Tunisian Human Rights League (LTDH), and the Tunisian Order of Lawyers. Formed in the summer of 2013, it helped support the democratisation process in Tunisia when it was in danger of collapsing, said…

Opinion

Democracy

The direct democratic struggle about free trade

This content was published on Oct 8, 2015 A total of 3,263,920 signatures from 28 European Union member states. This impressive pile of statements of support from EU citizens was delivered to the European Commission on October 7. Their demand is two-fold: A hold on the so-called Comprehensive Economic and Trade Agreement (CETA) with Canada, and, an immediate stop to the negotiations between…

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,…

Cluster: Democracy

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Cluster: Democracy

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Applying the ‘burka ban’ will not be easy

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Parliament shifts to the right

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Political right eyes gains in Sunday’s polls

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Debating the best way to engage youth in politics

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Hopefuls galore vie for parliament seats

More

Tunisian democracy-building group wins Nobel Peace Prize

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The direct democratic struggle about free trade

More

Polls see slight move to right in election campaign

More

Citizens put brakes on truck purchase

More

Catalonia torn in two

Popular Stories

Most Discussed