Global elections

Swiss observers satisfied with Hungarian elections

Election observer speaks of "clean procedures" on election day in Hungary

This content was published on Apr 13, 2026 Swiss parliamentarians took part in a Council of Europe observation mission in Hungary.

Information wars

What Romania’s election turmoil reveals about TikTok’s political influence

This content was published on Apr 6, 2026 After an election was cancelled over Russian interference, Switzerland supported the Romanian think tank Expert Forum in gathering evidence.

Global elections

Italian voters spurn judiciary reform in referendum

This content was published on Apr 2, 2026 In a recent referendum, Italian voters turned down a government-backed proposal to reform the judiciary. A legal scholar and two political scientists discuss the implications.

Global elections

How direct democracy became part of Orbán’s ‘illiberal’ toolkit in Hungary

This content was published on Mar 31, 2026 Since 2010, Hungarian authorities have channelled public sentiment with a range of direct-democratic tools – including one which even Switzerland’s ample repertoire lacks.

Global elections

How decades of debate over Stuttgart’s train station boosted local democracy

This content was published on Mar 18, 2026 In the debate over Stuttgart’s main railway station, politicians have learned lessons and, with Swiss support, bolstered local democracy.

Opinion

Global elections

Why direct democracy is also a stage for political parties to fight for attention

This content was published on Mar 10, 2026 Popular votes may appear to reflect the pure “will of the people,” but they also function as a stage for political parties, argues Dutch political scientist Toine Paulissen.

What experience have you had with referendums in your country?

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Feb 23, 2026

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Global elections

What it takes for a referendum to be fair

This content was published on Feb 23, 2026 Not only democracies hold referendums – semi-democratic and authoritarian states also run popular votes. Can such ballots ever be fair?

A person takes a selfie in front of a group, with the flags of NATO, North Macedonia and the EU in the background.

Global elections

Why parliamentary independence matters in North Macedonia

This content was published on Feb 9, 2026 For more than 15 years, Switzerland has provided support for North Macedonia’s parliament. What difference has this made?

Digital Democracy

Why EU direct democracy has struggled to take off

This content was published on Feb 5, 2026 Well over a decade after its launch, the EU’s tool for citizen participation has failed to gain traction, especially set against the wide popular rights enjoyed in Switzerland. Why?

Global elections

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Global elections

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Swiss observers satisfied with Hungarian elections

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What Romania’s election turmoil reveals about TikTok’s political influence

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Italian voters spurn judiciary reform in referendum

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How direct democracy became part of Orbán’s ‘illiberal’ toolkit in Hungary

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How decades of debate over Stuttgart’s train station boosted local democracy

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Why direct democracy is also a stage for political parties to fight for attention

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What experience have you had with referendums in your country?

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What it takes for a referendum to be fair

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Why parliamentary independence matters in North Macedonia

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Why EU direct democracy has struggled to take off

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