Swiss Abroad

Looking back at the Switzerland-Libya dispute

This content was published on Dec 3, 2010 As the Swiss federal parliament prepares to release its official report on how the crisis was handled, swissinfo.ch takes a look at the history of the strained relationship between the two nations. The trouble began in mid-July 2008 when Hannibal Gaddafi – a son of Libyan leader Moammar Gaddafi – was arrested and charged with…

Swiss Politics

Word of the year reflects political debate

This content was published on Dec 2, 2010 It was selected by a six-member jury of media and entertainment personalities from some 2,000 suggestions and announced on German-language Swiss radio on Thursday. The jury justified its choice by saying a single political group was managing to determine public debate and to give new expressions popular currency. Last year’s word was “Minarettverbot”, or “minaret…

Swiss Politics

Bern explains procedure after deportation vote

This content was published on Dec 2, 2010 Sommaruga was in Brussels on Thursday for a meeting of a mixed Schengen committee. Non- EU member Switzerland belongs to the Schengen area where there are no internal border controls between its 25 member states. She told the ministers about the results of the deportation vote on November 28 – supported by 52.9 per cent…

Swiss Politics

Leuthard meets British and Dutch premiers

This content was published on Dec 2, 2010 Both prime ministers were in the city on Thursday lobbying for their countries to host the World Cup in 2018. Belgium and the Netherlands had put in a joint bid. In a statement, Leuthard’s ministry of environment, transport, energy and communication said her talks with Cameron had centred on finance and economic topics. They discussed…

Swiss Politics

French far-right learns from People’s Party

This content was published on Dec 2, 2010 The Swiss “yes” to the rightwing People’s Party initiative has made waves in neighbouring France. The media echo is certainly less strong there than it was after last year’s decision to ban the construction of minarets. But this decision, one year later, has contributed towards a fixed image of Switzerland, particularly among those with set…

Swiss Politics

OSCE to be given more weight

This content was published on Dec 1, 2010 Speaking in the Kazakhstan capital, Astana at the first OSCE summit to be held in 11 years, Calmy-Rey said a plan of action to be adopted during the meeting would enhance the institution’s standing as a security-policy organisation. She added that the action plan would strengthen its capacities with clear goals and obligations. The goals…

Rightwing sees civil liberties threatened

This content was published on Dec 1, 2010 At a news conference on Wednesday senior party officials said the assaults were a threat to freedom of opinion and the right of free assembly. Last Sunday protestors took to the streets of Zurich smashing up shop windows and breaking the entrance of a hotel in Bern where the initiative committee met. Party offices were…

Swiss Politics

US cable leak has “sabotaged” diplomatic work

This content was published on Dec 1, 2010 Little has filtered out about Switzerland so far. But one memo seen by a Swiss radio station describes the country as “a very successful but frequently frustrating alpine democracy”. American Secretary of State Hillary Clinton says the whistle-blowing website Wikileaks acted illegally in releasing more than 250,000 State Department cables exposing the inner workings of…

Swiss Politics

Forgotten US finance figure came from Geneva

This content was published on Dec 1, 2010 From the western Swiss city of Geneva he went on to become Secretary of the Treasury under President Thomas Jefferson in 1801, and he remains the longest-serving holder of the office. Today, he is largely forgotten but a new biography entitled: Gallatin – America’s Swiss Founding Father could help raise public awareness. The author, Nicholas…

Swiss Politics

Cabinet lists political targets for 2011

This content was published on Nov 30, 2010 Presenting the cabinet’s political aims for next year, President Doris Leuthard told the Senate on Tuesday that Switzerland could not escape the currency difficulties of the euro area. Switzerland is not a member of the group of countries using the euro, but the European Union is its main trading partner. Leuthard urged senators to help…

Swiss Abroad

Popular Stories

Most Discussed

Swiss Abroad

More

Looking back at the Switzerland-Libya dispute

More

Word of the year reflects political debate

More

Bern explains procedure after deportation vote

More

Leuthard meets British and Dutch premiers

More

French far-right learns from People’s Party

More

OSCE to be given more weight

More

Rightwing sees civil liberties threatened

More

US cable leak has “sabotaged” diplomatic work

More

Forgotten US finance figure came from Geneva

More

Cabinet lists political targets for 2011

Popular Stories

Most Discussed