Cluster: Swiss Abroad

New Radicals’ president takes centre stage

This content was published on Jan 11, 2003 Christiane Langenberger, a senator from canton Vaud, will lead the party into the country’s October elections. The centre-right Radical Party is one of nine parties currently represented in the Swiss government. The presidential race was decided at the party conference in Lucerne on Saturday. Langenberger polled a total of 181 votes, beating her rival, Trix…

Swiss Politics

Asylum deals provoke storm of criticism

This content was published on Jan 10, 2003 Human rights groups criticised in particular the treaty with Senegal which allows Switzerland to deport West African asylum seekers to holding centres in that country. The deal is the first of its kind with an African state, and has been hailed by Jean-Daniel Gerber, head of Switzerland’s Federal Office for Refugees, as a great success.…

Swiss Politics

Politician adds colour to parliamentary debates

This content was published on Jan 9, 2003 While others read papers or stare off into the distance, Social Democrat Andreas Gross passes the time drawing elaborate abstract pictures. “Drawing is the ideal way of concentrating on the vote,” Gross says in his defence. “It means I don’t have to fight off sleep the way my colleagues do.” But Gross’s doodling habit also…

Swiss Politics

Swiss repatriation treaty condemned by NGOs

This content was published on Jan 7, 2003 Two non-govermental organisations (NGOs) called the initiative an insult to West Africans. The criticism came during a visit to Senegal by the Swiss justice minister, Ruth Metzler, to wrap up the deal – the first of its kind with an African country. It would allow Switzerland to deport to Senegal rejected West African asylum seekers…

Swiss Politics

The lure of the old country

This content was published on Jan 5, 2003 Many descendants of Swiss emigrants to Argentina are applying for Swiss citizenship – but the door is only open to applicants under the age of 32. Some 14,800 Swiss citizens are currently registered at the Swiss embassy in Buenos Aires, but there are an estimated 100,000 people of Swiss descent living in the country. The…

Swiss voters being polled to the limit

This content was published on Jan 5, 2003 Polling experts are warning that voters are likely to be hopelessly confused by the multitude of proposals leading to a meaningless result. “Voting on nine issues in one day could turn out to be a political catastrophe,” Claude Longchamp, political scientist at a leading research institute, GfS, told swissinfo. Under Switzerland’s system of direct democracy,…

Swiss Politics

Couchepin says Swiss can do more for country

This content was published on Jan 3, 2003 In the traditional president’s New Year’s speech, Couchepin also called on Swiss citizens to become more involved in public life. “Mistakes have been made,” said Couchepin. “But we have to decide if we are to dwell on the negatives, or if we want to build a democratic society capable of reforming itself.” Couchepin added that…

Swiss Politics

Entertainer found peace on Lake Geneva

This content was published on Dec 23, 2002 Chaplin’s son, Michael, spoke to swissinfo during a tour of the family estate about the film legend’s Swiss years and plans to turn the house into a museum. The library at the Manoir de Ban, in Corsier-sur-Vevey, is still much as the great film-maker left it when he died in his sleep in the early…

Swiss Politics

NGOs sound alarm over child migrants

This content was published on Dec 22, 2002 In 2001, over 1,400 unaccompanied children – some abandoned babies – arrived in Switzerland. Aid groups claim current Swiss provision for asylum seekers is suitable for adults, but inadequate for youngsters who have arrived in the country alone. “I would say the number of unaccompanied minors arriving in Switzerland is growing, ” said Anne-Marie Deutschlander,…

Swiss Politics

Seeking a better life

This content was published on Dec 20, 2002 Tal, who is 16, has been in Switzerland for almost two years, and made the long journey from Mali by bicycle, boat and train. “When I got off the boat in Italy I thought I could apply for asylum there,” he told swissinfo. “But I was told I had no chance and that I should…

Cluster: Swiss Abroad

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Cluster: Swiss Abroad

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New Radicals’ president takes centre stage

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Asylum deals provoke storm of criticism

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Politician adds colour to parliamentary debates

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Swiss repatriation treaty condemned by NGOs

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The lure of the old country

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Swiss voters being polled to the limit

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Couchepin says Swiss can do more for country

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Entertainer found peace on Lake Geneva

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NGOs sound alarm over child migrants

More

Seeking a better life

Popular Stories

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