Cluster: Swiss Abroad

Rightwing launches broadside against overseas military cooperation

This content was published on Mar 16, 2001 Launching the campaign on Friday, opponents of planned new army laws said they were in breach of Swiss neutrality and the country’s long-standing humanitarian tradition. Their aim is to persuade Swiss voters to reject the changes, when the issue goes to a nationwide vote in June. Speakers, including Blocher, accused the government of surreptitiously trying…

Swiss Politics

Rocky road ahead for the Christian Democrats

This content was published on Mar 15, 2001 Under Durrer’s leadership, the party made a significant shift towards the right, exposing fault lines on issues such as the proposed legislation of abortion and the timetable for negotiations on Swiss membership of the European Union. Durrer himself blamed internal party divisions for his surprise resignation after four years at its helm, and analysts agree…

Swiss Politics

Durrer leaves Christian Democrats for job at UBS

This content was published on Mar 15, 2001 Announcing his surprise resignation on Thursday, Durrer, 50, said he would step down on May 12, after four years as president of the party. He said his departure would enable the party to find a new leader in good time to fight the next general election in 2003. The party is one of four that…

Swiss Politics

Head of Christian Democrats resigns

This content was published on Mar 15, 2001 Announcing his resignation on Thursday, Durrer, 50, said he would step down on May 12. He said it was time to hand over the helm of the Christian Democratic Party, which is widely seen as lacking direction. He added that he would also be resigning his parliamentary seat in the autumn. Durrer said his decision…

Swiss Politics

Parliament paves way for abortion to be legalised

This content was published on Mar 14, 2001 The decision came after eight years of discussions on easing the abortion laws and is aimed at finding a uniform solution for regulations currently in place in different parts of the country. Abortion is technically illegal under a law dating back to 1942, unless a woman’s health is in danger. But several cantons have introduced…

Swiss Politics

Turkey wary of Swiss moves on Armenian “genocide”

This content was published on Mar 13, 2001 Turkey’s comments come after the French parliament voted last month to recognise the massacres committed by the Ottoman Empire as genocide – a move which Ankara fears might lead other countries to do the same. The French move has now focused attention on a similar non-binding proposal, which is due to be considered by the…

Swiss Politics

Government remains committed to EU membership

This content was published on Mar 12, 2001 Speaking in parliament on Monday, the finance minister, Kaspar Villiger, said EU membership remained the government’s long-term aim, and reiterated that the cabinet would decide by 2007 whether to begin membership talks. He added that the first priority was to press ahead with a series of bilateral agreements with Brussels. Swiss voters approved the accords…

Swiss Politics

Swiss seek stricter controls on light weapons

This content was published on Mar 12, 2001 The Swiss ambassador to the UN Disarmament Conference in Geneva, Raimond Kunz, and his French counterpart, Hubert de La Fortelle, said light weapons are responsible for the death of one person every minute around the world. Describing these weapons as a “factor in the destabilisation of the rule of law” and a “threat to democracy”,…

Swiss Politics

Growing scepticism over national exhibition

This content was published on Mar 12, 2001 On Monday a leading public relations consultant joined in the criticism of the Expo management team, accusing them of doing “a very bad job” of promoting the exhibition, which is scheduled to open next year. Klaus Stöhlker told swissinfo the organisers had failed to instil enthusiasm in the public for the exhibition, which has been…

Swiss Politics

Most Swiss back EU entry by 2007

This content was published on Mar 10, 2001 In a survey of 1000 voters, fifty-two per cent of Swiss backed the government’s position that entry negotiations should start during the period between 2003 and 2007. The survey also indicated that the traditionally Eurosceptic German-speaking majority as well as the more pro-Europe Francophone population shared the same view. Twenty-five per cent said talks on…

Cluster: Swiss Abroad

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Cluster: Swiss Abroad

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Rightwing launches broadside against overseas military cooperation

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Rocky road ahead for the Christian Democrats

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Durrer leaves Christian Democrats for job at UBS

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Head of Christian Democrats resigns

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Parliament paves way for abortion to be legalised

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Turkey wary of Swiss moves on Armenian “genocide”

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Government remains committed to EU membership

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Swiss seek stricter controls on light weapons

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Growing scepticism over national exhibition

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Most Swiss back EU entry by 2007

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