Swiss Abroad

Web surfers make friends with Swiss ministers

This content was published on Jan 3, 2008 An economics student from Neuchâtel in the western part of the country set up the seven ministers’ profiles on the site, a move that has yet to draw a reaction from the government. Bertil Suter is the man behind the Facebook coup. He created the profiles in December after considering the popularity of others already…

Swiss Politics

Cigarette packets get scary

This content was published on Jan 1, 2008 The government decided the measure last April as part of the fight against tobacco use. Packs have already carried large written warnings for some time. Three series of pictures will be used for the next two years according to the Federal Health Office. The aim is to convince young people not to take up smoking…

“A country’s image abroad is paramount”

This content was published on Jan 1, 2008 Couchepin, who replaced Foreign Minister Micheline Calmy-Rey on January 1, talked to swissinfo shortly before taking up the largely ceremonial office. swissinfo: This is your second term as president after 2003. Will your approach be any different this time round? Pascal Couchepin: Certainly. When you have been president for a whole year, you gain a…

Swiss Politics

Swiss politics looks back on eventful year

This content was published on Dec 31, 2007 It was a year of ups and downs for the rightwing People’s Party, the largest in parliament. In the October elections it increased its share of the vote yet further, to 29 per cent. But in a major surprise less than two months later, its controversial figurehead, Christoph Blocher, was voted out of the cabinet.…

Swiss Politics

Nef is promoted as he takes over Swiss army

This content was published on Dec 31, 2007 Nef, who officially takes up his post on Tuesday, replaces Christophe Keckeis who is retiring at the age of 62. Defence Minister Samuel Schmid, Keckeis and the leaders of the armed forces attended the ceremony. In his new position, 48-year-old Nef will be responsible for the development and leadership of the armed forces. He will…

Swiss Politics

Swiss help Colombia hostage operation

This content was published on Dec 28, 2007 A Swiss foreign ministry spokesman said that Switzerland had been invited to take part by the Venezuelan authorities, which are playing a large part in the mission. “Switzerland is acting with discretion [with the aim of] obtaining the release of the hostages and all of those who continue to be deprived of their freedom,” Lars…

Swiss Politics

Blocher praises his achievements in cabinet

This content was published on Dec 28, 2007 Blocher was making his farewell statements on Friday after being spectacularly ousted earlier this month from the post, which he had held for four years. The controversial billionaire industrialist and rightwing Swiss People’s Party’s figurehead is leaving the justice ministry at the end of the year after parliament refused to re-elect him. He has been…

Swiss Politics

No cases of BSE in 2007

This content was published on Dec 28, 2007 The federal office says strict counteractive measures have helped eradicate the disease. These will stay in force for the time being. BSE (bovine spongiform encephalitis) was first discovered in the country in 1990. In total, 463 cases of the disease have been recorded since then, but cases have been decreasing since 2001. The federal office…

Bern and Brussels end transitional year

This content was published on Dec 26, 2007 But tensions could rise in the new year if Swiss voters are called to the polls to decide whether to extend a free movement of people accord to the latest EU members, Romania and Bulgaria. 2007 was a “transition” year, according to René Schwok, political science professor at the European Institute of Geneva University. “The…

Swiss Politics

Swiss are optimistic about 2008

This content was published on Dec 23, 2007 A poll published in a Sunday newspaper found that 37 per cent of those questioned were optimistic about the future. In addition, 33 per cent thought that the economy would pick up as well. The Isopublic survey of more than 1,000 people across the country, highlighted by the SonntagsBlick, was part of a wider worldwide…

Swiss Abroad

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Swiss Abroad

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Web surfers make friends with Swiss ministers

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Cigarette packets get scary

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“A country’s image abroad is paramount”

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Swiss politics looks back on eventful year

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Nef is promoted as he takes over Swiss army

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Swiss help Colombia hostage operation

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Blocher praises his achievements in cabinet

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No cases of BSE in 2007

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Bern and Brussels end transitional year

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Swiss are optimistic about 2008

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