Cluster: Democracy

Low Swiss abortion rate runs counter to norm

This content was published on Nov 7, 2007 The Swiss abortion law was relaxed in 2002. Until then it had been one of the most restrictive on the continent. According to the Federal Statistics Office, there were 10,500 abortions in Switzerland in 2006. This is equivalent to 6.8 terminations per 1,000 women aged 15-44. This is below the rate of neighbouring countries Germany…

Democracy

Swiss face up to infectious disease threat

This content was published on Aug 23, 2007 The Geneva-based organisation is calling for increased cooperation to combat these threats, an area in which Switzerland has long been active. In all, 39 new diseases have developed since 1967, including HIV, Ebola and Sars, said the WHO in its report entitled “A safer future: global public safety in the 21st century”. A major factor…

Democracy

Ancient institution looks to the future

This content was published on May 17, 2006 Senator Fritz Schiesser says the gathering – a democratic institution unique to Switzerland – gives citizens the chance to have their say in public and shape local politics. Glarus is just one of two Swiss cantons where the Landsgemeinde has stood the test of time over nearly seven centuries. Every year on the first Sunday…

Democracy

Where democracy springs eternal

This content was published on May 15, 2006 swissinfo visited Glarus, a mountain region in eastern Switzerland, where the 700-year tradition is very much alive and continues to draw the crowds. Even the most unsuspecting visitor could tell that something was going on. On the eve of the Landsgemeinde earlier this month, hundreds of people were selling their wares or looking for a…

Democracy

Swiss learn democracy by voting

This content was published on Dec 14, 2004 “The Guidebook to Direct Democracy in Switzerland and beyond”, published on Tuesday, explains citizens’ involvement in the political decision-making process. Bruno Kaufmann is one of the editors of the book and president of the non-governmental Initiative and Referendum Institute Europe (IRI) in Amsterdam. Kaufmann has a very positive view of the Swiss system, which allows…

Democracy

Tax vote faces little opposition

This content was published on Nov 18, 2004 Yet the SFr30 billion ($26 billion) raised through direct tax and VAT forms nearly two-thirds of the annual revenue of the federal authorities. The vote is required as the federal authorities’ current mandate to levy taxes runs out at the end of 2006. “It is a peculiarity of our country that Swiss voters from time…

Democracy

Switzerland is no longer a “special case”

This content was published on Feb 12, 2004 But in many respects the country has more in common with other modern democracies than it might care to admit. The report’s author, Barbara Beck, notes that the twin traditions of federalism and direct democracy have a huge impact on every aspect of life in Switzerland. They allow the Swiss more of a say in…

Democracy

No increase in abortions after law change

This content was published on Sep 30, 2003 With 7.5 abortions per 1,000 women between the ages of 15 and 44, Swiss termination rates are amongst the lowest in the world. Last year, an overwhelming majority of voters came out in favour of permitting abortion within the first 12 weeks of pregnancy. The decision signalled the end of a 1942 law that prohibited…

Democracy

Federal Court says democracy has its limits

This content was published on Jul 24, 2003 The Federal Court’s comments came in a written explanation of a ruling made on July 9, banning secret ballots on applications for Swiss citizenship. The judges said that Swiss voters, while traditionally having the last word on all political decisions, were still obliged to respect federal legislation. Several Swiss communities, most notably Emmen in canton…

Democracy

Swiss vote to legalise abortion

This content was published on Jun 2, 2002 The result means abortion will now be permitted within the first 12 weeks of pregnancy, harmonising the legislation with current practice, which effectively allows abortion on demand. Until now Switzerland has had some of the most restrictive abortion laws in Europe – despite loopholes in the law – along with the Irish Republic, Poland and…

Cluster: Democracy

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Cluster: Democracy

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Low Swiss abortion rate runs counter to norm

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Swiss face up to infectious disease threat

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Ancient institution looks to the future

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Where democracy springs eternal

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Swiss learn democracy by voting

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Tax vote faces little opposition

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Switzerland is no longer a “special case”

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No increase in abortions after law change

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Federal Court says democracy has its limits

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Swiss vote to legalise abortion

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