Cluster: Democracy

And if voters are not always right?

This content was published on May 18, 2014 “Everyone agrees that paedophiles shouldn’t come into contact with children,” says former federal judge Claude Rouiller. But in his view the problem lies elsewhere. “The initiative imposes an automatic and irreversible professional ban on anyone who has been found guilty [of paedophilia]. That goes against the principle of proportionality, which is one of the pillars…

Democracy

Swiss say no to world’s highest minimum wage

This content was published on May 18, 2014 In Sunday’s nationwide vote 76.3% of voters were against the initiative. Voter turnout was 55.5%. Under the initiative, someone on a minimum wage in Switzerland would have earned double the rate in Britain or the United States. Although high, the Swiss limit was set against the country’s high cost of living, where the median hourly…

Democracy

Voters back paedophile ban on working with children

This content was published on May 18, 2014 Final results showed 63.5% of voters were in favour of the initiative. It also won the necessary backing of a majority of cantons. Turnout was 55.5%. Opponents, including the cabinet, had claimed the text was too simplistic and made redundant by a new law which comes into force in January. But supporters dismissed these reservations,…

Democracy

Mühleberg nuclear plant given stay of execution

This content was published on May 18, 2014 Just over 63% of voters rejected an initiative by a group of citizens, according to officials results. It was the first public vote on nuclear energy after the government in 2011 decided to phase out nuclear energy, by gradually decommissioning the country’s five nuclear plants between 2019 and 2034. The Mühleberg plant was opened in…

Democracy

Wings of air force clipped in nationwide ballot

This content was published on May 18, 2014 Final results show 53.4% of voters came out against the acquisition of 22 JAS-39 Gripen fighter jets by the Swedish Saab company. Political analyst Claude Longchamp of the leading GfS Bern research and polling institute says opposition by both the political left and some centrist parties made the difference. “It gives the armed forces something…

Democracy

‘In most countries, migrants just disappear’

This content was published on May 13, 2014 On February 9, a slim majority of Swiss voters accepted a proposal to introduce immigration quotas, effectively torpedoing a free movement accord with the European Union. The initiative called for restrictions because its main backers, the rightwing Swiss People’s Party, said that too many foreigners were entering the country, putting a strain on a number…

Democracy

How two people fought to shut down a nuclear plant

This content was published on May 8, 2014 It all started thousands of miles away. On March 11, 2011 a devastating tsunami triggered a meltdown at the Japanese nuclear power plant in Fukushima. As a result inhabitants living up to 20 kilometres from the stricken plant were forced to abandon their homes for safety. “That was when I realised I had to do…

Democracy

Future of rural doctors hinges on funding

This content was published on May 6, 2014 When he graduated from medical school some 40 years ago, Dr. Karl Haefele knew he wanted to work somewhere in the mountains. As he jokingly tells it, he took a Swiss map, closed his eyes, and threw an arrow at the centre – landing on Innertkirchen, a small community of just over 1,000 people in…

Democracy

Controversial crane causes heavy lifting

This content was published on May 6, 2014 As a piece of work, the harbour crane is certainly eye-catching: 30 metres high and with a 36-metre long arm. Painted green, it is covered in patches of rust, testament to its almost 50 years of working life in the eastern German sea port of Rostock, over 1,000 kilometres away. It arrived in Zurich at…

Democracy

Fighting over military jets in changing times

This content was published on May 5, 2014 Those expecting to see campaign history repeating itself these days have been waiting in vain and will most likely remain disappointed. There are no signs of colourful mass rallies ahead of the May 18 vote. The current campaign may appear unspectacular – even if it’s been shrill at times – compared with the shows of…

Cluster: Democracy

Popular Stories

Most Discussed

Cluster: Democracy

More

And if voters are not always right?

More

Swiss say no to world’s highest minimum wage

More

Voters back paedophile ban on working with children

More

Mühleberg nuclear plant given stay of execution

More

Wings of air force clipped in nationwide ballot

More

‘In most countries, migrants just disappear’

More

How two people fought to shut down a nuclear plant

More

Future of rural doctors hinges on funding

More

Controversial crane causes heavy lifting

More

Fighting over military jets in changing times

Popular Stories

Most Discussed