Cluster: Swiss Abroad

UBS client wins right to be heard

This content was published on Sep 28, 2010 The judges found that the client had not been informed that the bank was considering sharing his data with the US Internal Revenue Service (IRS) and that he had therefore not had an opportunity to put his case. The Federal Tax Administration admitted it could not prove it had indeed informed the client personally about…

Swiss Politics

Reshuffle of Swiss cabinet gets bad press

This content was published on Sep 28, 2010 Most newspapers are highly critical of the decision to snub the centre-left and the rightwing parties in the reshuffle involving four of the seven ministries. The mass-circulation Blick and the prestigious Neue Zürcher Zeitung describe the reorganisation as a “false start” for the new cabinet “The cabinet is backing one member at the expense of…

Swiss Politics

Major cabinet reshuffle stirs emotions

This content was published on Sep 27, 2010 They will take over the economics and the justice ministries, while the two incumbents move to the transport and the finance ministries respectively. Monday’s announcement came as a surprise and prompted mixed reactions. It is the biggest reshuffle of the multi-party cabinet in several decades, and appears to be the result of an alliance of…

Swiss Politics

No voting for foreigners in Basel and Bern

This content was published on Sep 26, 2010 Two separate initiatives in canton Basel City were rejected by 61 and 81 per cent respectively on Sunday. Had they been accepted foreigners would have been granted the right to vote and put themselves forward for political office. In canton Bern, a proposal to introduce suffrage for foreigners at a local level was thrown out…

Swiss Politics

Cabinet sees vote as proof of its labour policy

This content was published on Sep 26, 2010 Economics Minister Doris Leuthard pledged the arguments of opponents would be taken seriously to help the less privileged unemployed to integrate into the job market. “The result will allow us to balance the books of the insurance scheme. It will remain a reliable institution and in an international comparison will provide good services for the…

Swiss Politics

Swiss approve reform of jobless benefit scheme

This content was published on Sep 26, 2010 In Sunday’s ballot, 53.4 per cent of voters said yes to government plans to shore up the debt-ridden social security scheme. Trade unions and centre-left political parties had called a referendum to challenge the reform. Despite the convincing result, turnout was low, at 35 per cent of the electorate. The average is 45 per cent.…

Swiss Politics

Polls close in vote on jobless benefits

This content was published on Sep 26, 2010 Sunday’s ballot followed opposition to the government’s plans by trade unions and centre-left political parties. Turnout was expected to be below average. The reform hopes to raise additional revenue of SFr646 million ($659 million) for the insurance scheme through an increase in salary deductions. The unions and the left oppose planned restrictions on eligibility to…

Swiss Politics

Locals blame Transocean and BP for oil spill

This content was published on Sep 25, 2010 Anger and suspicion are the main emotions one encounters in Pensacola, a small port in western Florida, where inhabitants feel that British oil giant BP and Transocean share responsibility for the catastrophe. Life was turned upside down for locals in April, when the Deepwater Horizon rig owned by Transocean but leased to BP exploded and…

Swiss Politics

Cuts in jobless benefits face voters’ verdict

This content was published on Sep 24, 2010 Trade unions and centre-left political parties are contesting a decision by parliament. But public interest is not high: turnout is expected to be below average. The reform hopes to raise additional revenue of SFr646 million ($659 million) for the insurance scheme through an increase in salary deductions. The unions and the left oppose planned restrictions…

Swiss Politics

Smokers to pay more

This content was published on Sep 24, 2010 The increase, announced on Friday, will push up the price of a packet in the most popular price range from SFr7.20 to SFr7.40. Manufacturers and importers have a three-month grace period to adjust their prices, so smokers will not necessarily feel the impact until January 1. The rise is part of the government’s step-by-step policy…

Cluster: Swiss Abroad

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Cluster: Swiss Abroad

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UBS client wins right to be heard

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Reshuffle of Swiss cabinet gets bad press

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Major cabinet reshuffle stirs emotions

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No voting for foreigners in Basel and Bern

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Cabinet sees vote as proof of its labour policy

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Swiss approve reform of jobless benefit scheme

More

Polls close in vote on jobless benefits

More

Locals blame Transocean and BP for oil spill

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Cuts in jobless benefits face voters’ verdict

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Smokers to pay more

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