Swiss Abroad

Expatriates feel sidelined by Swiss politicians

This content was published on Apr 17, 2011 Despite the rising interest, Rudolf Wyder, director of the Organisation of the Swiss Abroad (OSA), says the importance of the expat community is not appreciated sufficiently. Back in 1992 when the vote by postal service was introduced, about 14,000 Swiss living abroad took part in ballots. But since then participation has increased steadily. At the…

Swiss Politics

EU calls on Swiss to join energy community

This content was published on Apr 16, 2011 He added in an interview with the Swiss Tages-Anzeiger newspaper that being a member of an energy community would bring Switzerland many advantages. “A decision will be made this year whether an agreement is possible or not and whether Switzerland will join the energy community,” Oettinger said, describing a free energy market with standardised rules…

Swiss Politics

ICRC establishes permanent office in Tripoli

This content was published on Apr 15, 2011 A team of four specialists in health matters, logistics and detention-related activities will coordinate aid work in the west of the country and go back to the cities of Misrata and Zawiyah, a statement said. The ICRC received permission to open its office from the Libyan government earlier this week. The aid organisation plans to…

Swiss Politics

Striking Zurich police refuse to hand out fines

This content was published on Apr 15, 2011 The move is in protest against the city authorities’ cost cutting measures and heavy work load. The Zurich Police Officers Association has called in a statement for a rise in salaries from 2012 and an increase in the number of officers. It is also protesting about extra night and weekend duties. “Police chiefs want to…

Swiss Politics

Swiss bloom as IMF prepares spring meeting

This content was published on Apr 15, 2011 Its assessment comes as the IMF prepares to hold its spring meetings with the World Bank this weekend in Washington, which Switzerland will be attending. The Swiss delegation, headed by Finance Minister Eveline Widmer-Schlumpf, has now arrived and will already take part in some meetings on Friday. In the “two-speed recovery”, as the IMF has described it in its recent…

Swiss Politics

Lump sum tax survives attack in parliament

This content was published on Apr 14, 2011 In line with a decision by the Senate, the House of Representatives on Thursday threw out a proposal by canton St Gallen to ban lump sum taxation. The house also voted down a proposal by a parliamentarian from the centre-left Social Democratic Party to set limits for such tax breaks. Supporters of a ban argued…

Swiss Politics

Parliament calls for immigration limits

This content was published on Apr 14, 2011 The House of Representatives on Wednesday followed the Senate in approving a motion urging cabinet to present plans to ensure “a more orderly immigration”. A majority of centre-right and rightwing parliamentarians criticised that immigration has remained high despite an economic crisis. The centre-left voted against the motion. Justice Minister Simonetta Sommaruga argued there was no…

Swiss Politics

Syrian protests gather pace

This content was published on Apr 13, 2011 Despite bloody crackdowns, pledges of reform and attempts to appease minority Kurds and conservative Sunnis, calls for more freedoms have yet to abate. Indeed, protests are taking place across the entire country, according to a Swiss-based Syrian. On Wednesday thousands of women and children holding white flags and olive branches blocked a main southern coastal…

Bid to give voters more say in foreign policy

This content was published on Apr 13, 2011 However, a more far-reaching initiative by a conservative group failed to win a majority in the House on Wednesday. The other parliamentary chamber, the Senate is still to discuss the proposal before it goes to a nationwide vote at a later date. The Campaign for an Independent and Neutral Switzerland (Cins) wants voters to have…

Swiss Politics

Swiss switch on to more electricity

This content was published on Apr 13, 2011 “The main overall drivers of electricity consumption are economic growth and population development,” it said in a statement on Wednesday. Domestic power plants generated 66.3 billion kWh, or 0.4% less electricity than in 2009, with nuclear power stations producing 3.5 per cent less power than in 2009, despite a record year at the Mühleberg plant.…

Swiss Abroad

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Swiss Abroad

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Expatriates feel sidelined by Swiss politicians

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EU calls on Swiss to join energy community

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ICRC establishes permanent office in Tripoli

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Striking Zurich police refuse to hand out fines

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Swiss bloom as IMF prepares spring meeting

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Lump sum tax survives attack in parliament

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Parliament calls for immigration limits

More

Syrian protests gather pace

More

Bid to give voters more say in foreign policy

More

Swiss switch on to more electricity

Popular Stories

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