Cluster: Swiss Abroad

gfs.bern

This content was published on Sep 18, 2006 The research institutes gfs.bern and gfs.zurich were founded in 1959 as the “Swiss Society for Practical Social Research”. They are now independent companies mainly active in research by surveys. gfs.bern does applied research in the areas of politics, communications and society. The institute is commissioned by the Swiss Broadcasting Corporation to provide surveys, first trends…

Federalism

This content was published on Sep 18, 2006 Federalism is a system which gives both the national government as well as defined regions within the country the power to pass laws. In Switzerland, the cantons decide their own laws regarding taxation and education, for example. Federalism differs from the centralised state model, where local authorities have only an administrative competence. Switzerland has been…

Swiss call for concerted action on landmines

This content was published on Sep 18, 2006 A report published last week noted that while more land was cleared of mines in 2005 than ever before, the number of victims rose by 11 per cent to more than 7,300. “A lot has been achieved but there is still much more to do. It’s certainly not the moment to give up,” said Ambassador…

Swiss Politics

Federal Office

This content was published on Sep 18, 2006 Each one of the seven governmental ministries is made up of a number of specialised administrative offices. Their job is to develop projects, as well as prepare and execute policies relating to their area of expertise.

Excess gold reserves

This content was published on Sep 18, 2006 In 1999 Swiss voters approved a new constitution which effectively ended the statutory gold backing of the Swiss franc. As a result the Swiss National Bank decided to sell off half of its gold reserves of 1,300 tons over a number of years. Proceeds have been distributed from the 2004 annual result, with one third…

Direct democracy

This content was published on Sep 18, 2006 The term describes a political system in which the people exert power directly. It differs from representative democracy in which the people delegate this power to elected representatives. The two main instruments of direct democracy in Switzerland are the people’s initiative and the optional referendum. Switzerland is referred to as a semi-direct democracy because its…

Council of Europe

This content was published on Sep 18, 2006 Founded in 1949, the Council of Europe is the continent’s oldest political organisation. Switzerland joined the Strasbourg-based body in 1963. The Council sees itself as the guardian of democratic security, based on human rights, democracy and the rule of law. Switzerland says that one of the organisation’s greatest achievements is the European Human Rights Convention.…

Cabinet seeks to boost country’s role as host

This content was published on Sep 14, 2006 The government said a legal framework was necessary to make its policy more transparent. Foreign Minister Micheline Calmy-Rey said Switzerland had a long tradition as host country and had earned international recognition for its role. “But we must not rest on our laurels if we want to keep our strong position,” she told a news…

Swiss Politics

Trend towards harsher asylum law confirmed

This content was published on Sep 13, 2006 A proposal to shore up the state old age pension scheme with profits from the Swiss National Bank appears to have lost public support, it was revealed on Wednesday. Publication of the latest survey, carried out by the gfs Bern polling institute on behalf of the Swiss Broadcasting Corporation, comes before voters have the final…

Swiss Politics

Brussels prepares for energy talks with Bern

This content was published on Sep 13, 2006 Talks could begin later this year if the EU Council of Ministers follows the lead of EU diplomats who approved the mandate earlier this week. The Swiss cabinet approved the mandate in May. Brussels wants Switzerland to adopt the rules for the internal EU electricity market. EU energy commissioner Andris Piebalgs was quoted in the…

Cluster: Swiss Abroad

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Cluster: Swiss Abroad

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gfs.bern

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Federalism

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Swiss call for concerted action on landmines

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Federal Office

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Excess gold reserves

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Direct democracy

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Council of Europe

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Cabinet seeks to boost country’s role as host

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Trend towards harsher asylum law confirmed

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Brussels prepares for energy talks with Bern

Popular Stories

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