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After founding the modern Swiss state in 1848, the liberal and radical parties formed the Radical Party in 1894. The centre-right Radicals – with traditionally strong links to the business community – were for a long time the strongest force in parliament. But they lost a lot of support in the 2003 elections. The Radicals…
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The Arts Council of Switzerland, Pro Helvetia, is a public foundation whose mandate is to promote cultural efforts of a general nature on behalf of Switzerland. It aims to support persons in the cultural sector with the best possible conditions for creativity and for making their work known. It helps them to present their work…
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The people’s initiative allows every citizen to propose a modification of the constitution. To be valid it must be signed by at least 100,000 people within a period of 18 months. Parliament can directly accept the initiative. It can also refuse it or put forward a counter-proposal. In all cases a nationwide vote takes place.
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The Organisation of the Swiss Abroad represents in Switzerland the interests of more than 700,000 Swiss expatriates. It informs them about what is happening in their home country and offers a wide variety of services. Founded in 1916, the OSA is supported by about 750 expatriates’ associations and Swiss institutions abroad.
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Successor to the Swiss European Movement founded in 1934, which advocated the creation of a federation of European states, the organisation was established in 1998 when a number of pro-European groups merged. Its principal objective is to see Switzerland join the European Union as soon as possible. A people’s initiative launched by the group requesting…
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When there are votes on changes to the constitution, issues put to the vote are accepted when the majority of voters and cantons approve them (double majority). The result of the vote in each canton determines the canton’s vote. Cantons Obwalden, Nidwalden, Basel City, Basel Country, Appenzell Outer Rhodes and Appenzell Inner Rhodes each has…
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The magic formula shares the seven cabinet seats among the four main political parties according to their electoral support. The magic formula is in use but it has no legal status. When it was used for the first time in 1959, it gave two seats to the centre-left Social Democratic Party, two to the centre-right…
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Exclusive to the Italian-speaking canton of Ticino, the League was founded in 1991 by businessman Giuliano Bignasca. It has gathered support by denouncing the vested interests and patronage system of the traditional parties. Left-leaning on some social issues, extremely rightwing on issues of international policy and immigration, the League was highly successful in the early…
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The first section of the Green Party in Switzerland was established in 1971 in canton Neuchâtel to oppose plans for a new motorway. They won their first parliamentary seat in 1979, when the present mayor of Lausanne, Daniel Brélaz, was elected. In 1983, a number of groups joined forces to form the Federation of Swiss…
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The Swiss government consists of a cabinet (also known as the Federal Council) made up of seven ministers (federal councillors), each of whom heads a ministry. The members are elected by a joint session of parliament for a four-year term. Cabinet ministers take turns at being Swiss president for a period of one calendar year.…
