Swiss Abroad

Anthem to usher in new parliament term

This content was published on Sep 14, 2010 The Senate on Tuesday followed the House of Representatives in approving the proposal by a centre-left politician. The decision is aimed at underlining the cultural importance of the anthem, according to a report by the parliamentary office. It is up to every individual parliamentarian whether to sing along to the patriotic music, which will either…

Swiss Politics

Rents to remain tied to bank rates

This content was published on Sep 14, 2010 The House of Representatives narrowly rejected the plan which aimed to link the price of rented accommodation directly to inflation. The decision, which came despite pleas by Economics Minister Doris Leuthard, overrules the Senate, which had backed a reform. During Tuesday’s debate opponents, from the rightwing People’s Party and the centre-left Social Democrats, argued the…

Swiss Politics

“Dialogue is better than one-sided judgements”

This content was published on Sep 14, 2010 As part of the human rights dialogue between Switzerland and Iran, the treatment of young people by the Iranian legal system was the subject of a workshop in Tehran this week. Switzerland has been engaged in a human rights dialogue with Iran since 2003, but it is not clear – at least to outsiders –…

Swiss Politics

Parliament gives arms initiative the thumbs down

This content was published on Sep 13, 2010 On Monday senators voted 27 to 15 against the initiative. A majority said the current law was sufficient to protect against the abuse of arms. Back in June, the House of Representatives urged Swiss voters to reject the people’s initiative when it comes to a national vote in 2011. Launched in 2009 by the centre-left…

Swiss Politics

Protests at Swiss embassy over Koran threat

This content was published on Sep 13, 2010 According to an Agence France Presse photographer at the scene, the protestors tried unsuccessfully to enter the embassy. Switzerland represents US interests in Iran. Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad said the highly controversial move by pastor Terry Jones was a “Zionist plot”. Two leading Iranian religious figures on Monday said people who destroyed the Koran should…

Swiss Politics

Parliament backs dictator assets law

This content was published on Sep 13, 2010 The House of Representatives voted by 114 to 49 in favour of a law that aims to stop such assets falling into criminal hands. The Senate previously backed the law in June. It was felt there was a need to enshrine such procedures in law as a result of the often weak legal system in…

Swiss Politics

Police pursue manhunt with leaflet drop

This content was published on Sep 13, 2010 The 67-year-old evaded capture by police last week after an incident reportedly sparked by the impending sale of his home. After being holed up in his home, he escaped, exchanging shots with police and wounding an officer. He was last seen trying to return to the house in the early hours of Friday morning. In…

Swiss Politics

Parliament to pick ministers and wrap up reform

This content was published on Sep 13, 2010 Both chambers are due to choose two new government ministers to replace the outgoing finance and transport ministers on September 22. Six candidates are in the running for the posts in the multi-party cabinet. Parliament is also expected to wrap up more than two years of debate on reforms to the state’s old age pension…

Swiss Politics

Bern and Basel to decide on vote for foreigners

This content was published on Sep 12, 2010 In the German-speaking part of the country, this is largely only possible once Swiss citizenship has been obtained. On September 26, Bern and Basel will decide on whether to follow the Swiss-French lead and allow foreigners the vote. With the exception of Valais, all the western Swiss cantons have introduced voting rights for foreigners. Neuchâtel…

Swiss Politics

Chileans stage Kissinger protest in Geneva

This content was published on Sep 11, 2010 Kissinger, now 87, had been invited by the IISS to deliver a keynote speech on power shifts and security. The demonstrators, most of them from Chile, described the former US secretary of state as an “assassin”. They were criticising Kissinger for his alleged role in the Chilean military coup of 1973, when General Augusto Pinochet…

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Anthem to usher in new parliament term

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Rents to remain tied to bank rates

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“Dialogue is better than one-sided judgements”

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Parliament gives arms initiative the thumbs down

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Protests at Swiss embassy over Koran threat

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Parliament backs dictator assets law

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Police pursue manhunt with leaflet drop

More

Parliament to pick ministers and wrap up reform

More

Bern and Basel to decide on vote for foreigners

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Chileans stage Kissinger protest in Geneva

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