Cluster: Swiss Abroad

Tensions remain 20 years after German unity

This content was published on Oct 2, 2010 This momentous event also had an impact on Switzerland, with fears rising over its bigger German neighbour. But experts say the Swiss and east Germans in particular are more similar than commonly thought. “I have been living in the East of Germany since 1991 and think I can judge whether people’s lives are better now…

Swiss Politics

Sarah Shourd thanks Switzerland and looks ahead

This content was published on Oct 2, 2010 Sarah Shourd was released on September 14 “on humanitarian grounds” against a $500,000 (SFr 487,000) bail. On Thursday night, she met US President Barack Obama for the first time since her arrival. For Obama her release has a “sweet and sour” taste, since her fiancé, Shane Bauer, and her friend, Josh Fattal are still held…

Swiss Politics

Defence ministry denied extra funds for army

This content was published on Oct 1, 2010 The army will consist of 80,000 troops, including 35,000 members of the infantry, from a total of 140,000. The number of troops for international peacekeeping operations is set at 1,000. Defence Minister Ueli Maurer said the cabinet had mandated him to seek ways to save SFr1.1 billion through changes in military training, lowering technological standards,…

Swiss Politics

Parliament vetoes old age pension reform

This content was published on Oct 1, 2010 An alliance of rightwing and centre-left parties threw out a reform of the state old age pension scheme – one of the main tenets of Switzerland’s social security system – in the final reading of the bill on Friday. The reform was aimed at increasing revenue of about SFr800 million ($817 million) a year by…

Swiss Politics

Kälin calls for pause in Iraqi displacements

This content was published on Sep 30, 2010 Around half a million people live in temporary accommodation in Baghdad and other cities. “I call on the Iraqi authorities to issue a moratorium until there is a strategy for reintegrating IDPs,” he said on Thursday after an eight-day trip to Iraq, adding that no one should be forced to return to their native region.…

Swiss Politics

Deiss calls for “new thinking” by world leaders

This content was published on Sep 30, 2010 Joseph Deiss was wrapping up the annual session of the assembly which opened on September 14 with a debate on the Millennium Goals to halve poverty by 2015. Deiss said he had been struck by the “generosity and determination” shown by so many. But he called on those present to “put aside electoral cycles and…

Swiss Politics

UN backs critical report on Gaza flotilla raid

This content was published on Sep 29, 2010 The votes at the Geneva-based body took place alongside attempts by Washington to prevent the collapse of Israeli-Palestinian peace talks, which resumed less than a month ago after a two-year breakdown. The council on Wednesday agreed to back a resolution, which was tabled by Pakistan on behalf of the Organisation of the Islamic Conference, calling…

Swiss Politics

Alpine treaty rejected by parliament

This content was published on Sep 29, 2010 The House of Representatives on Wednesday voted 102 to 76 against the protocols, effectively burying the initiative. The convention is an international treaty that aims to protect the Alps. Switzerland signed it in 1991, along with Austria, France, Germany, Italy, Liechtenstein and the European Union. Slovenia and Monaco joined later. Italy is the only other…

Swiss Politics

Watchdog elected for federal prosecutor

This content was published on Sep 29, 2010 The choice of the judges, lawyers and legal experts was not without controversy: David Zollinger, the candidate of the rightwing Swiss People’s Party, is on the board of private bank Wegelin & Co. Zollinger’s election was opposed by centre-left parties – the Social Democrats and the Greens – but also by Dick Marty, a senator…

Swiss Politics

Family man puts faith above politics

This content was published on Sep 29, 2010 The only representative of the Federal Democratic Union in the 246-seat parliament Brönnimann explicitly refers to the Bible in his political activities. You might be disappointed if you expect to meet a man in traditional Amish garments and a long beard. Instead the man on the sofa in the parliament lobby looks hardly different from…

Cluster: Swiss Abroad

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Cluster: Swiss Abroad

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Tensions remain 20 years after German unity

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Sarah Shourd thanks Switzerland and looks ahead

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Defence ministry denied extra funds for army

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Parliament vetoes old age pension reform

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Kälin calls for pause in Iraqi displacements

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Deiss calls for “new thinking” by world leaders

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UN backs critical report on Gaza flotilla raid

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Alpine treaty rejected by parliament

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Watchdog elected for federal prosecutor

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Family man puts faith above politics

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