Cluster: Swiss Abroad

“Safe” list blocks asylum requests from 40 nations

This content was published on Jul 30, 2003 The Federal Refugee Office on Wednesday said asylum applications from 40 “safe” nations – where human rights are deemed to be respected – would not be considered. The list, which will be applied from Swiss National Day on August 1, comes three months ahead of the general elections, with asylum laws and the treatment of…

Swiss Politics

Swiss election campaign turns ugly

This content was published on Jul 29, 2003 A planned poster campaign by the rightwing People’s Party depicting the Swiss as “negroes” has sparked controversy amid accusations of racism. The poster, which was drafted by the party’s St Gallen branch, criticises the government’s asylum policy. Bearing the slogan, “We Swiss are always the Negroes”, the poster shows a man with a ring through…

Swiss Politics

Greens move to block Euro stadium

This content was published on Jul 28, 2003 If successful, the campaign would probably prevent Zurich’s involvement in the 2008 European football championships. Zurich is one of four Swiss cities due to host the continent’s biggest sporting tournament, following the successful joint bid by the Swiss and Austrian football associations. However, environmentalists and some local residents have reacted angrily to the Zurich proposals,…

Swiss Politics

Geneva fights to retain UN body

This content was published on Jul 22, 2003 The agency looks set to be merged with another UN body in New York as part of internal cost-cutting measures. The Geneva-based UN Working Group on Indigenous Populations is meeting this week to discuss globalisation issues – and its future. Manuel Tornare, a member of the city council, is convinced that Geneva would offer the…

Swiss Politics

Former minister Graber dies aged 94

This content was published on Jul 21, 2003 The Social Democrat was Switzerland’s foreign minister between 1970 and 1978, and held the rotating post of president in 1975. In a statement released on Monday, the Swiss government said that Graber suffered a stroke in Lausanne on Saturday afternoon after being admitted to hospital on Friday night. A lawyer by trade, Graber had a…

Swiss Politics

Swiss youth drawn to extremist politics

This content was published on Jul 19, 2003 Experts say the trend is linked to growing frustration among youngsters who feel excluded from mainstream politics and society. This year has seen a series of pitched street battles between left- and right-wing extremists, as well as violent demonstrations targeted at the G-8 summit on Lake Geneva in June; and February’s World Economic Forum (WEF)…

Swiss Politics

Swiss set up disaster relief centre in Georgia

This content was published on Jul 18, 2003 The base will also eventually serve as a centre for disaster relief operations in other Caucasian states. The Swiss Agency for Development and Cooperation (SDC) is funding the project to the tune of SFr690,000 ($502,000). “Georgia desperately requires trained rescue personnel and good equipment,” David Tchtinadze, who is working on the project, told swissinfo. Tchtinadze…

Swiss Politics

Rightwing boosts lead in polls

This content was published on Jul 12, 2003 The number one political issue as far as the Swiss are concerned is pension reform. The results of the latest poll, carried out by the Bern-based GfS research institute at the end of June, give the People’s Party a 26 per cent share of the vote. Just over 23 per cent of those polled said…

Swiss Politics

Switzerland sees technology as key to democracy

This content was published on Jul 8, 2003 Speaking at a conference on e-Government, Communications Minister Moritz Leuenberger said modern technology was an important tool for democracy. “Information technology should be actively used to promote the development of democracy. It does not belong to a museum,” Leuenberger told the European Union’s Ministerial Conference in northern Italy. Speaking to 1,000 delegates from 47 countries,…

Swiss Politics

Left targets Centre as election battle commences

This content was published on Jul 7, 2003 The centre-left party started a billboard campaign on Monday, accusing the economics minister, Joseph Deiss, of not doing enough for the unemployed. In a move possibly unprecedented in Swiss politics, the Social Democrats lashed out at Christian Democrat Deiss with a poster campaign aimed at forcing him out of the cabinet. Their suggested aim is…

Cluster: Swiss Abroad

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Cluster: Swiss Abroad

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“Safe” list blocks asylum requests from 40 nations

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Swiss election campaign turns ugly

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Greens move to block Euro stadium

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Geneva fights to retain UN body

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Former minister Graber dies aged 94

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Swiss youth drawn to extremist politics

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Swiss set up disaster relief centre in Georgia

More

Rightwing boosts lead in polls

More

Switzerland sees technology as key to democracy

More

Left targets Centre as election battle commences

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