Cluster: Democracy

Switzerland could improve its direct democracy

This content was published on Jun 27, 2014 Since the minaret ban in 2009, a consistent battle cry of red, white, and black has accompanied every major conservative initiative. The formula – outsiders, coated in black, imposing on Swiss prosperity – seems to work: conservative parties continue to dominate the quarterly votes. The Swiss take pride in their direct democracy, and the merits…

Democracy

UKIP leader calls for more direct democracy

This content was published on Jun 23, 2014 leader of the UK Independence Party, says British voters should be given more direct democracy and the final say on government policy similar to the Swiss model. The UKIP leader told the Institute for Government think-tankExternal link on June 23 that the party would have a campaign for direct democracy in its future manifesto. Following the…

Democracy

Minimum salary rejection confirms status quo

This content was published on May 19, 2014 On Sunday, three out of four Swiss voters rejected plans for a nationwide minimum wage, which at CHF22 ($25) an hour would have been the highest in the world. Swiss citizens had already rejected an initiative in 2013, proposed by the youth section of the centre-left Social Democrats, which stipulated that the salary of a…

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…

Cluster: Democracy

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Cluster: Democracy

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Switzerland could improve its direct democracy

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UKIP leader calls for more direct democracy

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Minimum salary rejection confirms status quo

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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

Popular Stories

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