Cluster: Swiss Abroad

Cabinet vote challenges government make-up

This content was published on Dec 4, 2003 But analysts do not believe a change would sound the death knell for the Swiss power-sharing system, known as the “Magic Formula”. Since 1959, the Magic Formula system has shared out the seven cabinet seats among Switzerland’s four main political parties according to their electoral strength at the time. But immediately after October’s parliamentary elections…

Swiss Politics

Parliament mounts defence of banking secrecy

This content was published on Dec 3, 2003 The proposals – which now have to go before parliamentary committee – are being seen as a symbolic stand against European Union interference. In recent years Bern has come under increasing pressure from Brussels to exchange information on bank accounts held in Switzerland by EU residents. Earlier this year, both sides agreed to a compromise…

Swiss Politics

Blocher sets sights on joining Schmid in cabinet

This content was published on Dec 3, 2003 The controversial populist, Christoph Blocher, is aiming to join the much more conciliatory Samuel Schmid in the seven-strong government. Blocher, who is the People’s Party’s driving force, has threatened to take it out of government unless he is elected. But Schmid, currently the party’s sole representative in government, has said he will decide for himself…

Swiss Politics

Vote outcome hinges on order and whips

This content was published on Dec 3, 2003 The order of voting will play a large part in the rightwing Swiss People’s Party’s bid to capture one of the centre-right Christian Democrat seats. The result also depends on deals the four parties in government manage to strike in the run-up to the vote, and their ability to maintain party discipline. The vote itself…

Swiss Politics

Voters leave cabinet selection to parliament

This content was published on Dec 3, 2003 They will vote in December on who joins, stays in, or leaves the seven-strong cabinet. The Swiss may not directly elect their government but Clive Church, an expert on Swiss politics at the University of Kent in Britain, insists their voice can still be heard in the choices made. “Opinion polls show that the electorate…

Swiss Politics

Consensus politics risks becoming big loser

This content was published on Dec 3, 2003 The party is challenging the composition of Switzerland’s power-sharing government with its demands for a second seat in the cabinet. Political analysts say an additional seat for the People’s Party would alter the character of the government, both by moving it further to the Right and by undermining the consensus nature of Swiss politics. “It…

Swiss Politics

Official candidates face tough time

This content was published on Dec 3, 2003 In the past 20 years parliament has chosen Samuel Schmid, Ruth Dreifuss and Otto Stich in preference to candidates put forward by their parties. These so-called “wild cards” made it into office, for the most part against the will of their parties, with official nominees often falling victim to scheming among the four main parties.…

Swiss Politics

Parties manoeuvre in cabinet election

This content was published on Dec 3, 2003 But the other three parties in government, unwilling to give up one of their seats voluntarily, are negotiating to find a solution. The composition of the seven-strong cabinet has remained the same since 1959, thanks to an informal power-sharing arrangement known as the “Magic Formula”. When it was introduced, it divided the cabinet seats among…

Swiss Politics

Business supports People’s Party demand

This content was published on Dec 3, 2003 The country’s business leaders say the Christian Democrats should pay for their poor showing in October’s election by forfeiting one of their two seats. Head of the Zurich wing of the People’s Party Christoph Blocher – a billionaire industrialist who runs the chemical company, Ems Chemie – will stand for election to the seven-member cabinet…

Swiss Politics

Metzler and Deiss struggle to keep seats

This content was published on Dec 3, 2003 They are both being challenged for their seats by the rightwing Swiss People’s Party’s Christoph Blocher. Every four years, shortly after the parliamentary elections, cabinet ministers need to have their mandate renewed by parliament. They normally have little trouble being re-elected, but after its gains in October’s parliamentary elections, the People’s Party has renewed its…

Cluster: Swiss Abroad

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Cluster: Swiss Abroad

More

Cabinet vote challenges government make-up

More

Parliament mounts defence of banking secrecy

More

Blocher sets sights on joining Schmid in cabinet

More

Vote outcome hinges on order and whips

More

Voters leave cabinet selection to parliament

More

Consensus politics risks becoming big loser

More

Official candidates face tough time

More

Parties manoeuvre in cabinet election

More

Business supports People’s Party demand

More

Metzler and Deiss struggle to keep seats

Popular Stories

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