Swiss Abroad

Single VAT rate fails to win parliament backing

This content was published on Dec 21, 2011 The House of Representatives on Wednesday confirmed its rejection of the proposal which was launched in 2008. Opponents argued the plan was unrealistic and would lead to extra costs for health and education. Supporters said a unified rate would create more transparency and reduce the administrative burden. Switzerland currently has a VAT rate of eight…

Swiss Politics

Cluster bomb ban set for approval by parliament

This content was published on Dec 21, 2011 A majority on Wednesday voted against a recommendation by a house committee in October to reject the proposal. The bill now goes back to the committee for further discussion. Rightwing and centre-right opponents of the ban argued it would weaken Switzerland’s defence capacity, while supporters pointed out refusal to agree the convention would harm Switzerland’s…

Swiss Politics

No end to tug-of-war over fat cat salaries

This content was published on Dec 20, 2011 During the current winter session, the House of Representatives threw out a counter-proposal but the decision has not stopped further attempts to seek a way out of the political tangle. Ever since the issue of so called “fat cat” salaries was put on the political agenda, parliament has been grappling to ensure that the initiative would…

Swiss Politics

Parliament agrees on carbon dioxide law

This content was published on Dec 20, 2011 The House of Representatives on Tuesday followed the Senate, approving a proposal to put the proceeds of fines into an infrastructure fund instead of passing on the money to the general public as mooted by the cabinet. The fines are to be paid by car importers if new vehicles emit more than 130g of CO2…

Swiss Politics

Bern and Washington “close” to tax agreement

This content was published on Dec 20, 2011 Sager believes Switzerland and the administration of Barack Obama are “close” to an agreement on the tax front, but that unrelated political divisions between Democrats and Republicans in Congress are slowing down approval of a bilateral treaty. swissinfo.ch: When your predecessor Urs Ziswiler arrived in 2006, he told swissinfo.ch that the fight against terrorism was…

Swiss Politics

Parliament votes to ban advertising small loans

This content was published on Dec 19, 2011 The Senate on Monday followed the House of Representatives and voted in favour of a parliamentary initiative to ban advertising of small loans, which aims to prevent the Swiss, particularly youth, from incurring excessive debts. Arguing in favour of the initiative, Social Democrat Senator Géraldine Savary said 80 per cent in debt were aged 25…

Swiss Politics

EU calls for rapid start to tax talks

This content was published on Dec 19, 2011 A meeting of EU finance ministers on Monday adopted a report which stipulates that the purpose of talks with third parties, including Switzerland, is for those countries to incorporate the principles and “all the criteria” of the EU Code of Conduct for Business Taxation. The decision came without warning. Just three weeks ago EU ministers…

Swiss Politics

No more controls on Swiss-Liechtenstein border

This content was published on Dec 19, 2011 Liechtenstein, whose capital Vaduz lies on a bus route between the eastern Swiss towns of Sargans and Buchs, has joined the Schengen area to which Switzerland has belonged for the past three years. Under the Schengen agreement people can move between member states without having to show travel or identity documents. Now that Liechtenstein has…

Swiss Politics

“The mood towards foreigners has worsened”

This content was published on Dec 19, 2011 As he prepares to step down after 16 years in the job, he tells swissinfo.ch that part of the reason is the neoliberal climate with its emphasis on competition and where every person is encouraged to be out for themselves. The job of the commission is not to change people’s beliefs, but rather to ensure…

Swiss Politics

Building bridges between Bern and Brussels

This content was published on Dec 19, 2011 Reiterer, an Austrian national, tells swissinfo.ch that the only thing that annoyed him in Switzerland was always hearing the same prejudices against the EU. The EU diplomat made it his business not only to speak to politicians right across the spectrum, but also to go out and meet ordinary Swiss voters. He gained a reputation…

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Swiss Abroad

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Single VAT rate fails to win parliament backing

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Cluster bomb ban set for approval by parliament

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No end to tug-of-war over fat cat salaries

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Parliament agrees on carbon dioxide law

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Bern and Washington “close” to tax agreement

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Parliament votes to ban advertising small loans

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EU calls for rapid start to tax talks

More

No more controls on Swiss-Liechtenstein border

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“The mood towards foreigners has worsened”

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Building bridges between Bern and Brussels

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