Cluster: Democracy

Voters to decide who pays for abortions

This content was published on Feb 8, 2014 Backed by an inter-party committee made up essentially of conservative Christians, the people’s initiative was signed by about 110,000 voters – making it eligible for a popular vote. It calls for the introduction of a new article in the federal constitution and states that abortion and foetal reduction (the elimination of one or more embryos…

Democracy

Protest vote could be decisive at ballot box

This content was published on Jan 29, 2014 Supporters of the initiative, “against mass immigration”, by the rightwing Swiss People’s Party have increased their share by 6% since the end of December to 43%. At the same time opponents lost 5% and now have 50%. (For details see graphic below) “Parties to the right have succeeded in particular in mobilising their grassroots across the…

Democracy

EU migrants seen as social system freeloaders

This content was published on Jan 29, 2014 “Free movement of workers was devised to allow European citizens to come and work in Switzerland. Today, however, there is an increasing number of people who, driven by the crisis, arrive in our country without a contract or remain after losing their jobs. This is at the expense of the social welfare system,” says People’s…

Democracy

How Swiss and British migration debates differ

This content was published on Jan 28, 2014 In both Switzerland and Britain there is considerable scepticism towards the EU among parts of the population, and the free movement of people which it promotes looms large in public debate in both countries. As of January 1 Romanians and Bulgarians have had free access to Europe’s single labour market. For its part, Switzerland is…

Democracy

Anti-immigration vote challenges EU relations

This content was published on Jan 24, 2014 Experts predict rising tensions along with countermeasures with unforeseen consequences if the rightwing Swiss People’s Party’s initiative “against mass immigration” passes at a nationwide vote on February 9. “I imagine there would be a great deal of legal uncertainty and Switzerland would find itself under constant pressure,” said Thomas Cottier, director of the Institute of…

Democracy

New trains in million-franc legal dispute

This content was published on Jan 23, 2014 The legal row comes less than three weeks before voters decide on a wide-ranging package which supporters say would put future Swiss railway infrastructure investments on a solid financial footing. Swiss Railways spokesman Stephan Wehrle confirmed a Wednesday evening report on the Rundschau programme on Swiss public television, SRF, adding that the claim was “unfounded”.…

Democracy

Making a bad housing situation worse

This content was published on Jan 22, 2014 In the lead-up to the February 9 vote on its initiative “Against Mass Immigration”, the rightwing Swiss People’s Party has made affordable housing a central theme of its campaign. The party argues that the influx of foreigners – notably a result of the free movement of persons accord with the European Union (EU) – has…

Democracy

To abort or not, helping women figure it out

This content was published on Jan 20, 2014 Afternoon sunshine as well as literature in several languages fill the waiting room on an upper floor of the women’s clinic at Bern University Hospital. It’s the family planning department, where women seeking advice can get their questions answered. Since 2002, the cost of an abortion has been covered by basic health insurance in Switzerland.…

Democracy

Free movement won’t be renegotiated, EU warns

This content was published on Jan 19, 2014 In an interview with the Sunday newspaper Schweiz am Sonntag, Viviane Reding, Vice President of the European Commission and European Commissioner for Justice, Fundamental Rights and Citizenship, said it was “an illusion to think that the free movement of people could be renegotiated individually”. The free movement of people is part of the single market,…

Democracy

Could seasonal worker status be making a return?

This content was published on Jan 18, 2014 The proposal comes as part of the party’s initiative “against mass immigration” which comes to a nationwide vote on February 9. “We should reintroduce the seasonal workers status for sectors like construction and agriculture, it was a very good system. Unfortunately it was weakened and then abolished by the political world,” said People’s Party president…

Cluster: Democracy

Popular Stories

Most Discussed

Cluster: Democracy

More

Voters to decide who pays for abortions

More

Protest vote could be decisive at ballot box

More

EU migrants seen as social system freeloaders

More

How Swiss and British migration debates differ

More

Anti-immigration vote challenges EU relations

More

New trains in million-franc legal dispute

More

Making a bad housing situation worse

More

To abort or not, helping women figure it out

More

Free movement won’t be renegotiated, EU warns

More

Could seasonal worker status be making a return?

Popular Stories

Most Discussed