Swiss Abroad

Chad poses new threat to Swiss-Libyan ties

This content was published on Sep 16, 2009 Diplomats in Bern have been trying for months to promote peace in the central African country, much to the irritation of Libyan leader Moammar Gadaffi, who is against any interference in a region he considers his domain. Several opponents of Chad President Idriss Deby met in Geneva last week at the invitation of Switzerland. One…

Swiss Politics

And the winner is…

This content was published on Sep 16, 2009 The 49-year-old from canton Neuchâtel was elected with 129 votes in the fourth round of voting in parliament. His win enables the centre-right Radical Party to retain its two seats in the seven-member cabinet. Urs Schwaller of the centre-right Christian Democrats came second with 106 votes.

Parliament starts face-off over cabinet seat

This content was published on Sep 15, 2009 Three official candidates are standing. Barring unforeseen developments, the election will boil down to a showdown between Didier Burkhalter – who will try to defend the seat of the Radical Party – and Urs Schwaller hoping to take back a second cabinet seat his Christian Democrats lost six years ago. The election became necessary after…

Swiss Politics

Geneva Initiative delivers Middle East peace plan

This content was published on Sep 15, 2009 The 400-page manual drawn up by the Swiss-backed group of non-governmental organisations was presented to Israeli President Shimon Peres on Tuesday, the most detailed vision yet of what a two-state solution would look like. The document has no official standing but has generated interest among leadership on both sides of the conflict. “If you want…

Swiss Politics

Disability insurance feels the strain

This content was published on Sep 14, 2009 But if a programme aimed at putting the finances of the scheme in order is accepted by the Swiss electorate on September 27, there is a risk that the costs could simply be transferred to other social insurances. Between 1992 and 2006 more and more older people, depressed at the thought of never being able…

Swiss Politics

Watchdog barks again at Google Street View

This content was published on Sep 14, 2009 The office of Hanspeter Thür said on Monday that there were many problem pictures that did not respect anonymity, particularly in private roads and gardens. Google Switzerland has said it is “very disappointed” at Thür’s position because it had supplied much information and had received the go-ahead to go online, only for Thür to change…

Swiss Politics

US ambassador seeks fresh start to ties

This content was published on Sep 13, 2009 “I want to show that it is time for the two countries to put the difficulties they have been confronting behind them,” Beyer told the NZZ am Sonntag newspaper. He defended the recent US probe into tax fraud by American customers at Swiss bank UBS, noting that it was not an attack on Swiss banking…

Swiss Politics

Poll finds Swiss president in popularity slide

This content was published on Sep 13, 2009 The Isopublic polling firm asked respondents which politicians they wanted to play an important role in future politics. Only 47 per cent of Swiss backed Merz, who has come under fire for his handling of relations with Libya, compared with 59 per cent in June. No other minister holding the presidential role had experienced such…

Swiss Politics

Army chief objects to objectors

This content was published on Sep 11, 2009 André Blattmann told the Mittelland Zeitung newspaper that some recruits are giving up after only a few days of basic training, choosing to do civilian service instead. The army chief blamed the situation on a new law – in force since April 1 – which no longer requires young men to give a reason for…

Swiss Politics

Life in transit

This content was published on Sep 11, 2009 “They” are the asylum seekers who arrive in Switzerland by plane in search of a new life. swissinfo.ch visited their temporary home – the new Schengen-compliant reception centre for asylum seekers at Geneva airport. Léonie* sat huddled up on the bottom bunk looking slightly anxious as the group of strangers bounded into her dormitory. “This…

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Swiss Abroad

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Chad poses new threat to Swiss-Libyan ties

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And the winner is…

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Parliament starts face-off over cabinet seat

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Geneva Initiative delivers Middle East peace plan

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Disability insurance feels the strain

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Watchdog barks again at Google Street View

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US ambassador seeks fresh start to ties

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Poll finds Swiss president in popularity slide

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Army chief objects to objectors

More

Life in transit

Popular Stories

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