Swiss Abroad

New party in canton Bern

This content was published on Jun 21, 2008 It is to be called the Conservative Democratic Party. Defence Minister Samuel Schmid has announced that he will join it. At the founding conference, 225 people signed up and agreed on its statutes. The party leadership will now draw up a detailed policy programme. The members are unhappy with the hardline policies of the national…

Air force chief resigns

This content was published on Jun 20, 2008 Knutti was asked to resign on Thursday, said Swiss armed forces commander Roland Nef. No successor has been announced. A statement released by the defence ministry on Friday said that Markus Gygax, Knutti’s former deputy, would replace him in the interim. The request for Knutti to resign was not directly attributable to the accident on…

EU migration law has an impact on Switzerland

This content was published on Jun 18, 2008 The law limits the period illegal immigrants can be detained to 18 months, six months less than is the case in Switzerland, which has signed a security and asylum accord with the EU due to come into effect in a few months’ time. According to the Schengen/Dublin agreements, Switzerland will have two years to bring…

Swiss Politics

Calls made for moderation in alcohol prevention

This content was published on Jun 18, 2008 Experts have welcomed the proposed measures that stop short of tax hikes on alcoholic beverages, raising age limits for customers or banning nighttime sales of alcohol. Cabinet aims to reduce within four years the number of teenage binge drinkers by ten per cent. The number of alcohol addicts among the over-50s is to be cut…

Swiss Politics

Salinas funds finally head back to Mexico

This content was published on Jun 18, 2008 The ruling concludes proceedings that have lasted almost 13 years. During that time, Raul Salinas spent ten years in prison, accused of the murder of his brother-in-law. Other assets involved in the case, which are not of criminal origin, have been released, the Federal Justice Office announced on Wednesday. They have been returned to third…

Swiss Politics

Middle East policy “lacks coherence”

This content was published on Jun 17, 2008 Its author, Daniel Möckli, tells swissinfo that the government is on the right path despite frequent criticism from all sides. But it needs to gain the backing of its citizens to make its policy a success. Swiss conflict resolution policy promotes dialogue with all parties, including militant Muslim groups, and attempts to bridge divisions between…

Swiss Politics

River accident victims remembered in Thun

This content was published on Jun 17, 2008 Defence Minister Samuel Schmid and army chief Roland Nef attended the ceremony at the city’s main church, along with friends, family and colleagues of the four soldiers who died and one who remains missing. Schmid expressed his sorrow and sympathy, saying that while there was speculation that mistakes were made, “we simply don’t yet know…

Swiss Politics

Party’s black sheep chapter announces new name

This content was published on Jun 16, 2008 From Saturday, when the new group will officially be launched, it will call itself the Conservative Party of Switzerland. An overwhelming majority of members approved the new name at a meeting in Landquart on Monday. The interim president of the new party, Ueli Bleiker, said the name was agreed after consultation with breakaway People’s Party…

Swiss Politics

Opening salvoes fired ahead of EU labour vote

This content was published on Jun 16, 2008 On Monday, the Swiss Business Federation, economiesuisse, underlined its support for the extension to the newest European Union members. The pact is mainly being challenged by rightwing parties. economiesuisse warned that the EU would likely cancel a raft of other bilateral agreements if the free movement of people pact was rejected. Federation president Gerold Bührer…

Swiss Politics

Swiss expatriate clubs seek new blood

This content was published on Jun 16, 2008 Freddie Wyser, president of the Federation of Swiss Societies in Britain (FOSSUK), hopes a new initiative will help reverse this trend. Wyser, who has lived in Edinburgh for the past 30 years, spoke to swissinfo during the 43rd FOSSUK annual general meeting held in London last weekend. The two-day event – held in a different…

Swiss Abroad

Popular Stories

Most Discussed

Swiss Abroad

More

New party in canton Bern

More

Air force chief resigns

More

EU migration law has an impact on Switzerland

More

Calls made for moderation in alcohol prevention

More

Salinas funds finally head back to Mexico

More

Middle East policy “lacks coherence”

More

River accident victims remembered in Thun

More

Party’s black sheep chapter announces new name

More

Opening salvoes fired ahead of EU labour vote

More

Swiss expatriate clubs seek new blood

Popular Stories

Most Discussed