Cluster: Democracy

Geneva to vote on lake tunnel again

This content was published on Jan 5, 2015 Three months after a similar initiative was rejected at the ballot box, voters in canton Geneva look set to decide again whether to build a road tunnel under the lake.

Democracy

Swiss president looks ahead to 2015

This content was published on Jan 1, 2015 She is convinced that the country’s political system still works even though certain people’s initiatives may hardly be reconcilable with international law. Sommaruga’s biggest project in 2015 will be the implementation of a proposal approved by voters last February to cap immigration and re-introduce annual quotas. In a written interview, she stresses that steering immigration…

Democracy

Anti-immigration vote not due to demographic pressures

This content was published on Dec 18, 2014 The pressure of increasing numbers of people moving to Switzerland was not one of the main factors behind citizens backing a recent controversial proposal to curb immigration. They voted based on personal values, a new study has revealed.

Democracy

Schwyz voters choose taxes and subsidies over spending cuts

This content was published on Dec 11, 2014 Voters in the city of Schwyz have surprisingly turned down their local government’s recommendation to reduce spending on education, childcare and energy subsidies in favour of a tax increase.

Opinion

Democracy

European Citizens’ Initiatives: what next?

This content was published on Dec 10, 2014 A recent citizens’ initiative allows Europeans to participate in political decision-making in Brussels – a tool they have used over 50 times in the past few years. The latest on the list is an initiative against the free trade agreement with the US causing headaches on all sides.

Opinion

Democracy

From Finland and Switzerland with love

This content was published on Dec 1, 2014 Just in time for the festive season two countries have sent out a couple of very friendly messages to the rest of the world. While the Swiss offered a genuine lesson in openness and modern direct democracy, Finland’s first successful citizens’ initiative made (almost) everybody happy.

Democracy

ECHR under pressure on Swiss anniversary

This content was published on Nov 27, 2014 Not everyone is joining the party as the Swiss celebrate the 40th anniversary of the ratification of the European Convention on Human Rights.

Democracy

‘Direct democracy is not a religion’

This content was published on Nov 24, 2014 Switzerland is a model democracy but safeguards are needed to improve the system and avoid ‘accidents’ like the anti-minaret vote, declares Swiss comic and writer Vincent Kucholl.

Opinion

Democracy

How direct democracy helps US become a better place

This content was published on Nov 17, 2014 Poor America! At first sight the recent US midterm elections offer little relief. America’s traumatised society seems unable to find common ground on anything. But there is a way forward and it comes via direct democracy, reports Bruno Kaufmann, editor-in-chief of people2power.info.

Opinion

Democracy

Catalonia’s beleaguered democracy

This content was published on Nov 11, 2014 Over two million Catalans took part in a symbolic independence vote on Sunday with 80% backing secession from Spain. But the non-binding result does not solve sovereignty issues. The problem is not the limits of the constitution, but rather incompetent political leaders, says Yanina Welp, a political scientist from Zurich University.

Cluster: Democracy

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Cluster: Democracy

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Geneva to vote on lake tunnel again

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Swiss president looks ahead to 2015

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Anti-immigration vote not due to demographic pressures

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Schwyz voters choose taxes and subsidies over spending cuts

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European Citizens’ Initiatives: what next?

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From Finland and Switzerland with love

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ECHR under pressure on Swiss anniversary

More

‘Direct democracy is not a religion’

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How direct democracy helps US become a better place

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Catalonia’s beleaguered democracy

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