Swiss Abroad

What future for Middle East peace?

This content was published on Jan 5, 2006 But representatives of Switzerland’s Jewish community as well as Palestinian and Israeli lobby groups agree that it is impossible to foresee the next moves. In November Sharon broke with the conservative Likud bloc to set up the more moderate Kadima party. The new grouping was considered the frontrunner for the March 28 parliamentary election. Many…

Swiss Politics

Sri Lanka looks set for renewed civil war

This content was published on Jan 5, 2006 Franz Baer, who was sent to the country to clear landmines, believes the situation could soon spiral out of control again. Tensions between the Sri Lankan government and Tamil rebel forces have reached boiling point after the assassination of the country’s foreign minister and the election of a new hard line president last year. Five…

Swiss Politics

Swiss cross stands for unity

This content was published on Jan 1, 2006 In his New Year’s Day address, Leuenberger said the country’s strength lay in its commitment to the state and public services. Referring to an official photograph of the cabinet grouped around a Swiss cross, Leuenberger said this symbolised the unity and agreement which should be at the heart of the state. “We are working together…

EU challenge for Switzerland’s neighbour

This content was published on Dec 31, 2005 Switzerland is as yet unsure how this development will affect the good relations it has traditionally enjoyed with its neighbour to the east. Austria will hold the presidency for six months, before handing on the baton to Finland. The legacy left by Britain is a difficult one. Although the EU managed to resolve its budget…

Swiss Politics

2006 president seeks consensus in cabinet

This content was published on Dec 31, 2005 Leuenberger – a Social Democrat – said he was happy that all seven members of the four-party cabinet stood by the principle of collegiality. The cabinet includes two members of the rightwing Swiss People’s Party, which opposed Leuenberger’s appointment as president. The party has criticised the transport minister for the way he has handled his…

Swiss Politics

Where to now for Swiss-EU relations?

This content was published on Dec 31, 2005 The EU is urging non-member Switzerland to decide what kind of relationship it wants with the 25-nation bloc in the long term. The Swiss government plans to publish a report on that very question in 2006. In theory, the options range from doing very little – adding a few more treaties to two packages of…

Swiss Politics

Pro Helvetia president takes stock

This content was published on Dec 27, 2005 Yvette Jaggi, who has been in the post since 1998, has presided over a radical reform of the organisation. She will be replaced on January 1 by Mario Annoni, a local government politician. Pro Helvetia was at the centre of a row last year after it funded a highly controversial exhibition in Paris. It subsequently…

Swiss Politics

2005: a subdued year for direct democracy

This content was published on Dec 26, 2005 The federation of trade unions and the fishing association both announced they were collecting signatures to force a vote. In comparison, nine initiatives were launched in 2004 and 19 in 1998. The Swiss Fishing Association is calling for the renaturalisation of public lakes and rivers. Meanwhile the federation of trade unions is campaigning for the…

Swiss Politics

Swiss say stability returning to tsunami zone

This content was published on Dec 26, 2005 They report that life is returning to normal in many affected areas. Infrastructure has been restored and the work of reconstructing houses has begun. Many hotels in the tourist areas of southern Thailand, the Maldives and Sri Lanka have reopened and are attracting visitors from Switzerland in increasing numbers. The Swiss Agency for Development and…

Swiss Politics

Gifts give Christmas cheer to the needy

This content was published on Dec 24, 2005 From Saturday onwards, surplus gifts can be handed in to post offices across the country. They will then be sent to the non-governmental organisation, the Swiss Red Cross, which distributes the packages to the underprivileged. The operation, called Twice Christmas, is jointly organised by the Swiss Post, the Swiss Red Cross and the Swiss Broadcasting…

Swiss Abroad

Popular Stories

Most Discussed

Swiss Abroad

More

What future for Middle East peace?

More

Sri Lanka looks set for renewed civil war

More

Swiss cross stands for unity

More

EU challenge for Switzerland’s neighbour

More

2006 president seeks consensus in cabinet

More

Where to now for Swiss-EU relations?

More

Pro Helvetia president takes stock

More

2005: a subdued year for direct democracy

More

Swiss say stability returning to tsunami zone

More

Gifts give Christmas cheer to the needy

Popular Stories

Most Discussed