Cluster: Democracy

Swiss to vote on paedophile work ban

This content was published on Mar 21, 2014 The initiative has mainly been backed by the rightwing Swiss People’s Party and the centrist Christian Democrats. In the wake of heated debates in parliament last year, opposition was quiet as no party wished to be seen to be championing the cause of paedophiles. However in mid-March Andrea Caroni of the Liberals decided to step into the breach and put…

Democracy

Quotas: good for trade, good for migrants?

This content was published on Mar 21, 2014 Dani Rodrik, professor of social science at the Institute of Advanced Study in Princeton, is a powerful critic of what he calls a “hyper-globalization agenda” favoured by the corporate community and academic economists. In his book, ‘The Globalization Paradox’, Rodrik argues provocatively that it makes sense to impose restrictions on migrants seeking work, but advocates…

Democracy

Fighter jets await green light from voters

This content was published on Mar 13, 2014 On May 18 voters have the final say on defence ministry plans to spend CHF3.1 billion ($3.5 billion) over the next decade to acquire JAS-39 lightweight fighter aircraft from aerospace manufacturer Saab. The jets, still in development, would replace the ageing fleet of F-5 Tiger jets and help protect the Swiss airspace up to the…

Democracy

Cabinet offers stopgap for EU research funding

This content was published on Mar 7, 2014 Education Minister Johann Schneider-Ammann said the aim was to keep the doors open for scientists and projects to continue their research before Switzerland can eventually rejoin EU the Horizon 2020 and Erasmus+ programmes. Schneider-Ammann stressed the importance of an interim solution and a participation in the European programme not only for financial reasons, but also…

Democracy

Erasmus funding was an issue before vote

This content was published on Mar 6, 2014 Reports have surfaced that Brussels had demanded more funds for the Erasmus+ programme before the vote took place. This was not communicated to the public, nor to parliament, although Education Minister Johann Schneider-Ammann did tell his cabinet colleagues about it two weeks before the ballot. The EU’s decision to exclude Switzerland from the EU Framework…

Democracy

Justice minister faces EU peers in Brussels

This content was published on Mar 3, 2014 “Even post-vote, Switzerland still lies in the middle of Europe,” pointed out Sommaruga, the first Swiss cabinet member to visit EU headquarters following the controversial “Yes” vote. She and her cabinet colleagues must now submit a proposal to parliament. In addition to quotas, this means that Switzerland will have to renegotiate its bilateral accord with…

Democracy

Fewer foreign bosses sign up to Swiss firms

This content was published on Mar 3, 2014 Switzerland’s largest 100 companies have traditionally employed a higher proportion of top foreign bosses compared to larger countries, such as Germany. In recent years, some 45% of executives have hailed from overseas as Swiss firms struggled to find enough resources in the small Alpine state. But the proportion of overseas executives dropped to 42% last…

Democracy

‘Switzerland is definitely not a colony of the EU’

This content was published on Feb 25, 2014 On February 9, voters approved a move by the Swiss People’s Party to reintroduce quotas and have a national preference when filling job vacancies. It also stipulates that Switzerland will have to renegotiate its bilateral accord with the EU on the free movement of people within three years or revoke it. swissinfo.ch: Reaction from Brussels…

Democracy

Is Swiss university prowess in jeopardy?

This content was published on Feb 20, 2014 Universities recently learned that their participation in the European Union’s Horizon2020 funding programme, as well as the Erasmus Europe-wide student exchange, could be withdrawn after the immigration vote, which calls for a re-negotiation of the free movement of people agreement with the European Union. University rectors have sent a letter to the Swiss government expressing…

Democracy

Immigration: one vote, many questions

This content was published on Feb 20, 2014 Who is affected by the curb on immigration? The amendment to the federal constitution requires upper limits and annual quotas for immigrants. This could affect every foreigner who wants to move to Switzerland: EU citizens, workers from third (non-EU) states, cross-border workers and asylum seekers. Will there also be consequences for foreigners already living in…

Cluster: Democracy

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Cluster: Democracy

More

Swiss to vote on paedophile work ban

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Quotas: good for trade, good for migrants?

More

Fighter jets await green light from voters

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Cabinet offers stopgap for EU research funding

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Erasmus funding was an issue before vote

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Justice minister faces EU peers in Brussels

More

Fewer foreign bosses sign up to Swiss firms

More

‘Switzerland is definitely not a colony of the EU’

More

Is Swiss university prowess in jeopardy?

More

Immigration: one vote, many questions

Popular Stories

Most Discussed