Cluster: Democracy

‘Tunisian exception’ teaches democratic lessons

This content was published on May 14, 2015 Yadh Ben Achour, who was central in preparing the country’s political reforms, says that, despite security threats, Tunisia is progressing steadily along the path to democracy. A new constitution has been adopted and a new elected parliament and president are in place. swissinfo.ch spoke to Ben Achour, president of the “High Council for the Realisation…

Democracy

Why the Swiss may have a cure for flawed democracies

This content was published on May 13, 2015 Italian-born Zaquini is a member of the local parliament in the town of Le Locle in northwestern Switzerland. The trained engineer emigrated from his native town of Iseo in northern Italy to Switzerland in the late 1990s where he was teaching at a technical college. His book La democrazia diretta vista da vicinoExternal link (Close…

Democracy

Inheritance tax wins no favours in opinion poll

This content was published on May 8, 2015 A poll commissioned by the Swiss Broadcasting Corporation (SBC) – swissinfo.ch’s parent company – found that opponents of a nationwide inheritance tax have a 13-point lead nearly seven weeks ahead of the June 14 vote. “The case seems to be clear,” says political scientist Martina Imfeld of the leading GfS Bern research and polling institute,…

Democracy

Businesses benefit from citizens’ involvement

This content was published on May 6, 2015 In the following interview with swissinfo.ch, Stutzer says a global comparisonExternal link by the IMD business school shows countries where forms of direct democracy are exercised doing very well both in terms of economic well-being and competitive edge. Stutzer, a professor of economics at the University of BaselExternal link, says political stability is crucial for…

Opinion

Democracy

How does Switzerland matter for the British elections?

This content was published on May 4, 2015 The UK could learn a few things from non-member Switzerland, writes Pieter Cleppe of the Brussels think tank, Open Europe.

Democracy

Direct democracy virus spreads across Italian border

This content was published on May 2, 2015 “Unfulfilled” or “incomplete” – this is how democracy in Italy is described by activists currently fighting for a system with more citizen participation. Their main inspiration is Switzerland, with its institutions of direct democracy parallel to those of parliament. It is perhaps not surprising that a current hotbed of activism for “more democracy” in Italy…

Opinion

Democracy

Beware of a new tax trap: no to the media tax

This content was published on Apr 30, 2015 The new law on radio and television is a dangerous trap. By wanting to introduce a new tax on media, the government will massively increase the fiscal burden on citizens and the economy.

Opinion

Democracy

‘Increasing media diversity, protecting minorities’

This content was published on Apr 30, 2015 Topics such as healthcare costs, security, transport and agriculture attract a lot of media coverage. Many politicians are keen to make punchy statements and show their expertise in such debates. It’s quite a different picture when media policy is at stake: Debates on this issue have indeed had a very low profile in Switzerland. Which…

Democracy

Swiss president urges respect of direct democracy

This content was published on Apr 27, 2015 At her keynote address at the Europa Forum, which regularly brings European leaders together to discuss key political, economic and societal issues, Sommaruga compared discussions about Switzerland’s direct democracy to discussions over rules in the game of football.In sports as in politics, she said, people who question certain rules aren’t proposing removing the underlying system…

Democracy

French region complains it’s denied democracy

This content was published on Apr 27, 2015 About 40 kilometres over the Swiss border near Basel, some 20 people are gathered in the old mayor’s offices in Dannemarie, a town in the Sundgau region of France’s Haut-Rhin department. Draping the front of the building are the red and white flag of Alsace and the black and white flag of Brittany, which go…

Cluster: Democracy

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Cluster: Democracy

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‘Tunisian exception’ teaches democratic lessons

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Why the Swiss may have a cure for flawed democracies

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Inheritance tax wins no favours in opinion poll

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Businesses benefit from citizens’ involvement

More

How does Switzerland matter for the British elections?

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Direct democracy virus spreads across Italian border

More

Beware of a new tax trap: no to the media tax

More

‘Increasing media diversity, protecting minorities’

More

Swiss president urges respect of direct democracy

More

French region complains it’s denied democracy

Popular Stories

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