Cluster: Swiss Abroad

Right wing consolidates gains

This content was published on Jan 24, 2003 The survey on voting intentions at October’s parliamentary elections showed the People’s Party share of the vote rising to 26 per cent. One of the most important trends to come out of the survey, according to political analyst, Claude Longchamp, is the strengthening of support for the political parties at either end of the political…

Swiss Politics

World Social Forum underway in Porto Alegre

This content was published on Jan 24, 2003 Lula promised the Forum, which is taking in Porto Alegre, that he would never abandon his socialist roots. “A new world order is needed that gives all children, no matter where they live, the right to food and to life,” Lula said. Lula, who flew in the Swiss resort of Davos for the World Economic…

Swiss Politics

Alternative Davos opens with criticism of US

This content was published on Jan 23, 2003 They have been organised by anti-globalisation campaigners to coincide with the WEF summit in the Swiss mountain resort. Opening the “Public Eye on Davos”, Lafontaine said that a war with Iraq would be a “terrorist act” and that it would intensify hatred toward the United States. His speech included strong criticism of the US and…

Swiss Politics

Swiss hope for progress in Sudan peace talks

This content was published on Jan 23, 2003 Switzerland is one of several countries mediating the talks aimed at ending 20 years of civil war. An estimated two million people have died and four million have been displaced as a result of the fighting between the Muslim government in the north and the rebels from the Christian south. Josef Bucher, the Swiss special…

Swiss Politics

Political leaders come face to face in Davos

This content was published on Jan 23, 2003 For Swiss politicians and business leaders the forum is primarily an opportunity for networking on a large scale. More than 2,000 representatives of business, politics, non-governmental organisations and the media from 100 countries are expected to attend. Representing the Swiss government will be the finance minister, Kaspar Villiger, the economics minister, Joseph Deiss, the interior…

Swiss Politics

WEF summit opens amid mounting global concerns

This content was published on Jan 22, 2003 But this year there are serious doubts about whether the political and business leaders present have it in their power to make a difference. “One could say that there are two groups [of people] holding illusions about the Davos gathering,” says Beat Kappeler, a respected Swiss media commentator. “One [group] is the CEOs there who…

Swiss Politics

Swiss prepare for anti-globalisation forum

This content was published on Jan 21, 2003 Members of the Swiss parliament, government and non-governmental organisations are among the 100,000 people attending the gathering. Set up to debate other means of globalisation, which respect human rights and democracy, the WSF in now in its third year. It is billed as an alternative to the WEF annual meeting in the Swiss mountain resort…

Swiss Politics

Swiss town holds first Internet vote

This content was published on Jan 19, 2003 The experiment was part of an ongoing drive by the government to introduce electronic voting, or e-voting, across the country. The authorites said that 44 per cent – 323 voters – cast their ballot through the Internet, and 349 (50 per cent) by post. Only 48 (six per cent) actually went to the polling station.…

Swiss Politics

Swiss private banks take aim at government

This content was published on Jan 16, 2003 A vote could derail a crucial set of bilateral agreements currently being negotiated between Bern and Brussels. “The government knows that if it goes beyond what is acceptable for the financial sector or threatens it, there will be a referendum,” Ivan Pictet, a partner of the Geneva-based Pictet bank, told swissinfo. “Obviously it also knows…

Swiss Politics

Military can down unauthorised planes during WEF

This content was published on Jan 15, 2003 The government on Wednesday ratified a security measure aimed at ensuring complete control of air space above the Alpine resort during the meeting. The cabinet agreed that Schmid should take the decision on whether to attack in the event of unauthorised aircraft penetrating a no-fly zone. Defence officials had announced ten days ago that Switzerland…

Cluster: Swiss Abroad

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