Swiss Abroad

Feeling the heat, and the cold, at Copenhagen

This content was published on Dec 16, 2009 “Shame on the UN!” The hundreds of journalists and members of non-governmental organisations still waiting outside the Bella Center, where the climate negotiations are being held, are furious and don’t mind who knows it. The Danish police have just announced that anyone who wants to get inside will have to come back and try again…

Swiss Politics

Swiss Post dispatches chief executive

This content was published on Dec 15, 2009 The board announced Michel Kunz’s departure in a statement issued on Monday night, following a “difference of opinion on fundamental questions”. Speaking to French-language radio, the chairman of the board, Claude Béglé, said Kunz had a centralised view of the group. The board saw it as a decentralised organisation with each section developing according to…

Swiss Politics

Deiss nominated for UN Assembly post

This content was published on Dec 15, 2009 Deiss was chosen as the official candidate for the office of president for the 65th General Assembly by the western regional group of countries, whose turn it is to pick the next head from amongst its ranks. His candidacy will be presented at the assembly and an official election is due to take place in…

Swiss Politics

Safety does not worry low-key Swiss politicians

This content was published on Dec 14, 2009 And could the same thing happen to a Swiss minister? Compared with their Italian neighbours, the protection sought by Bern’s senior politicians looks fairly light. Berlusconi’s attacker, a 42-year-old psychiatric patient, was arrested at the scene but the stunning breach of security could have ended decidedly worse for the prime minister, who is usually under…

Swiss Politics

Libya sets date for appeal of two Swiss

This content was published on Dec 14, 2009 The two men, who work for Swiss companies, have been prevented from leaving the country since July 2008. On December 2, they were sentenced to 16 months in prison by a Libyan court for visa irregularities and tax evasion. The hearing date was given to Human Rights Watch (HRW) when a delegation from the organisation…

Swiss Politics

Switzerland and Georgia strengthen ties

This content was published on Dec 14, 2009 The treaties will cover the legal framework for increased trade relations and Swiss direct investments, Micheline Calmy-Rey told journalists after a meeting with her Georgian counterpart Grigol Vashadze. The treaties should be ready for signing next year, she said. Relations between the two countries had grown stronger in the aftermath of the war between Russia…

Swiss Politics

Scattered Swiss retain voting rights

This content was published on Dec 14, 2009 The rights and responsibilities of the Swiss abroad – known as the “Fifth Switzerland” because the country is divided into four language areas – are set down in the constitution. Those who live outside Switzerland can exercise their political rights, under certain conditions and constraints. To take part in federal votes and elections, Swiss expats…

Swiss Politics

Precious principle of federalism

This content was published on Dec 14, 2009 Federalism has been of central importance in the governance of Switzerland since the founding of the modern state in 1848 and its special place is enshrined in the constitution. The federalist state structure affects everything, as anyone who has been to school in Switzerland can confirm. What’s known as gymnasium in one canton is called…

Swiss Politics

Stranger in Chiasso

This content was published on Dec 14, 2009 His moving images of refugees turn our attention to a problem becoming ever more noticeable in Switzerland. Over several months, Pulawski documented the hardships of newly-arrived asylum seekers arriving at the Italian-speaking border town of Chiasso from Italy.

Swiss to boost climate compensation funding

This content was published on Dec 13, 2009 In an interview published in Sunday’s NZZ am Sonntag newspaper, Environment Minister Moritz Leuenberger said the government could contribute up to an additional SFr150 million ($146 million) per year. “We can make promises but they are subject to the approval of parliament,” Leuenberger added. Switzerland currently spends SFr80 million in public money to finance mitigation…

Swiss Abroad

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Swiss Abroad

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Feeling the heat, and the cold, at Copenhagen

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Swiss Post dispatches chief executive

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Deiss nominated for UN Assembly post

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Safety does not worry low-key Swiss politicians

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Libya sets date for appeal of two Swiss

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Switzerland and Georgia strengthen ties

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Scattered Swiss retain voting rights

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Precious principle of federalism

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Stranger in Chiasso

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Swiss to boost climate compensation funding

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