Cluster: Swiss Abroad

Parliament re-elects cabinet ministers

This content was published on Dec 15, 1999 Switzerland’s seven cabinet ministers are being re-elected by parliament on Wednesday. Unusually, both they and the system of government are facing a challenge. A number of parliamentarians, speaking ahead of the vote, warned against “playing games” with the traditional format of power-sharing. Under the “magic formula,” which was agreed in 1959, the seven cabinet posts…

Swiss Politics

Switzerland reaffirms importance of EFTA

This content was published on Dec 14, 1999

Swiss Politics

Key players in the cabinet re-election

This content was published on Dec 14, 1999 President Ruth Dreifuss, populist challenger Christoph Blocher and Defence Minister Adolf Ogi will likely be the key players in Wednesday’s re-election of the seven Swiss cabinet ministers. Ruth Dreifuss: Social Democrat, Interior Minister and this year’s President. Her attempts to increase scope of welfare state, involving greater spending, have made her the target of attacks…

Swiss Politics

Swiss government renews apology

This content was published on Dec 10, 1999 Reacting to the Bergier report, the Swiss government on Friday renewed its 1995 apology over political shortcomings during World War II, saying Switzerland did not do as much for the refugees as it could have done. The government thanked those historians, researchers and experts who had compiled the Bergier report, which it described as an…

Swiss Politics

Switzerland says Balkan refugee situation unacceptable

This content was published on Dec 8, 1999 The Swiss Federal Refugee Office says the current refugee situation in the Balkans is “unacceptable” and remains a key policy priority for the government. The U.N. High Commissioner for Refugees in turn proposed a job-creation programme for the region. “The international community cannot tolerate the current refugee situation in the Balkans,” refugee office director Jean-Daniel…

Swiss Politics

Most government parties to stick to “magic formula”

This content was published on Dec 8, 1999 The chances of a major political upset in Switzerland next week appear to be receding, following a series of decisions by the parliamentary groups of the main parties on maintaining the “magic formula“ system of government.The parliamentary factions of the four cabinet parties – the Swiss People’s Party led by Ueli Maurer (l-r), the Radicals…

Swiss Politics

Parliamentary president wants balanced budget

This content was published on Dec 6, 1999 The president of the Swiss House of Representatives on Monday opened the new session of parliament by underlining the importance of a balanced budget and self-reliance. “Ask not what your country can do for you, ask what you can do for your country,” Hanspeter Seiler (picture) told the 200-member chamber, which has 81 new members…

Swiss Politics

Political drama ahead for new parliament?

This content was published on Dec 4, 1999

Swiss Politics

Humanitarian aid tops agenda of Moscow talks

This content was published on Dec 3, 1999 Swiss Foreign Minister Joseph Deiss (left) on Friday expressed concern over the fighting in Chechnya, particularly the fate of the civilian population. Deiss told Russian Interior Minister Igor Ivanov (right) during three hours of talks in Moscow that the Swiss government, along with many western nations, was concerned about the numerous deaths and the fate…

Swiss Politics

Dreifuss pledges to fight right-wing political challenge

This content was published on Dec 3, 1999 Swiss President and Interior Minister Ruth Dreifuss on Friday pledged to fight the expected challenge from the right in parliament, saying Switzerland must remain a country of social cohesion. Dreifuss, speaking to journalists in the capital Berne, made the statement in direct reference to parliamentary confirmation of all seven cabinet ministers on December 15. The…

Cluster: Swiss Abroad

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Cluster: Swiss Abroad

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Parliament re-elects cabinet ministers

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Switzerland reaffirms importance of EFTA

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Key players in the cabinet re-election

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Swiss government renews apology

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Switzerland says Balkan refugee situation unacceptable

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Most government parties to stick to “magic formula”

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Parliamentary president wants balanced budget

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Political drama ahead for new parliament?

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Humanitarian aid tops agenda of Moscow talks

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Dreifuss pledges to fight right-wing political challenge

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