Cluster: Democracy

Cantons asked to fine tune musical education

This content was published on Jul 21, 2012 This is the story of an initiative with a flat political prelude, a parliamentary intermezzo and an abrupt ending. It all began with an idea by music teacher and classical singer Ernst Waldemar Weber back in the 1980s. He strongly believed that the state had the noble duty to promote not only the physical fitness…

Democracy

Rail network modernises to stay on track

This content was published on Jul 19, 2012 Every day some 3,000 trains travel to and from Zurich’s main station – one of the busiest in the world – and almost a million commuters and tourists jump on a Swiss train. The federal authorities estimate that by 2030 passenger numbers will have risen by 45 per cent. As this upwards trend continues, with…

Democracy

Tax breaks for elderly meet resistance

This content was published on Jul 14, 2012 Supporters from the major centre-right and right wing parties argue the proposal is very much in line with a “typical Swiss virtue of living a debt-free life” as Hans Egloff, president of the Home Owners Association puts it. According to the campaigners the tax system currently penalises those home owners who have paid off their…

Democracy

Retailers use families to bypass work law

This content was published on Jun 18, 2012 It’s a hot sunny day in June and hardly anyone is doing a big shop. Most of the people in the Basel store on the corner of Güterstrasse and Tiersteinallee are picking up only small things: vegetables, muesli, bread or milk. “Monday-Saturday, 6am-10pm; Sunday 7am-10pm,” is displayed in large print in the window. The long…

Democracy

Store opening hours: a regular vote topic

This content was published on Jun 18, 2012 Not being able to buy groceries because the shops are closed on Sundays and during the week after 6.30pm in many places in Switzerland has surprised and irritated many visitors. But Eva Geel of the Unia trade union sees things differently. “Switzerland has not gone along with the mistaken developments in other countries,” she told…

Democracy

The people’s rights in an era of globalisation

This content was published on Jun 7, 2012 In Switzerland, the government is answerable for foreign policy decisions not only to parliament, but also to the people and the cantons. All international treaties with important implications for the country, such as the enactment of new laws, can be put to a nationwide vote if at least 50,000 citizens or eight cantons so demand…

Democracy

Cabinet defends insurance coverage of abortions

This content was published on May 9, 2012 Interior Minister Alain Berset said money must not be a decisive factor for or against an abortion. He said the current law, legalising terminations within the first 12 weeks of pregnancy, had worked effectively. Berset said the estimated SFr8 million ($8.7 million) annual savings for insurance companies could not justify potential health hazards, legal and…

Democracy

Army critics take aim at political taboo

This content was published on Jan 8, 2012 As the necessary signatures for a nationwide ballot were handed in this week, swissinfo.ch looks at similar attempts closely linked to the Switzerland without an Army group. Founded nearly 30 years ago, the pacifist group came to prominence when it launched its first initiative with the simple and radical aim of scrapping the army in…

Democracy

Swiss Air Force to get Swedish jets

This content was published on Dec 1, 2011 The decision, based on the recommendation of Defence Minister Ueli Maurer, has drawn fire in the Thursday newspapers. One of the main criticisms is that the jet, which is still a prototype, might not get enough takers to ensure that it and its parts are actually available when needed. “One is bound to a manufacturer…

Democracy

Direct democracy is not just Swiss

This content was published on Aug 27, 2011 But, as Slovenian legal expert and politician Ciril Ribicic tells swissinfo.ch, there are important differences: the country has a constitutional court, which the court judge considers essential. The Swiss federal court is not allowed to rule on any constitutional matters at national level. Another difference is that Slovenes also manage to marry European Union membership…

Cluster: Democracy

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Cluster: Democracy

More

Cantons asked to fine tune musical education

More

Rail network modernises to stay on track

More

Tax breaks for elderly meet resistance

More

Retailers use families to bypass work law

More

Store opening hours: a regular vote topic

More

The people’s rights in an era of globalisation

More

Cabinet defends insurance coverage of abortions

More

Army critics take aim at political taboo

More

Swiss Air Force to get Swedish jets

More

Direct democracy is not just Swiss

Popular Stories

Most Discussed