Swiss Abroad

Swiss and Bosnian presidents hail progress

This content was published on Oct 5, 2004 But speaking after talks with the country’s president, Sulejman Tihic, he cautioned that there was still work to be done. Deiss said on Tuesday that the meeting in Bern had focused largely on development aid and economic ties between the two countries. Bosnia-Herzegovina, which is still recovering from the effects of a war which ended…

Swiss Politics

Rifts appear in power-sharing government

This content was published on Oct 4, 2004 Couchepin broke cabinet ranks on Sunday, branding Justice Minister Christoph Blocher – a member of the rightwing Swiss People’s Party – a danger to democracy. A public spat between members of the country’s seven-strong cabinet is practically unheard of in Switzerland, where disputes normally take place behind closed doors. Under the principle of “collegiality”, it…

Swiss Politics

Parliament sharpens knife for army spending cuts

This content was published on Oct 4, 2004 On Tuesday the Senate voted to cut the proposed SFr647 million ($511 million) budget by SFr129 million. Major sticking points had been the planned purchase of two transport aircraft, a dozen armoured vehicles, new helmets, software and simulators. Prior to the debate, the Senate’s security commission expressed serious doubts about the value of buying a…

Swiss Politics

Government hands bilateral accords to parliament

This content was published on Oct 1, 2004 The package of treaties is expected to be voted on in December, but it is likely that the electorate will have the final say in a nationwide vote next year. The Swiss president, Joseph Deiss, said the new set of accords with Brussels was the only way for the country to avoid isolation in Europe.…

Swiss Politics

Regal timepiece heads for auction

This content was published on Sep 30, 2004 It was made by the oldest manufacturer of watches in the world, Vacheron Constantin, which celebrates its 250th anniversary in 2005. To mark the event, Geneva auction house Antiquorum is organising a special auction of 250 Vacheron Constantin timepieces, which span the history of the company from its beginnings in 1755 to the present day.…

Swiss Politics

Swiss wants to improve American voting system

This content was published on Sep 29, 2004 He argues that he could save the Americans millions of dollars, as well as promote confidence among voters that the elections are secret and secure. Switzerland’s system of direct democracy means that voters go to the polls at least four times a year to decide on issues ranging from changes to the federal constitution to…

Swiss Politics

Parliament extends aid package after debate

This content was published on Sep 29, 2004 The package, worth SFr400 million ($321 million), will allow Switzerland to keep supporting former Soviet-bloc nations’ transition towards democracy. The House of Representatives voted on Monday in favour of extending the present line of credit, which would have run out at the end of the year. Paolo Janke, secretary of the House’s foreign affairs commission,…

Swiss Politics

Right sees perpetual campaigning as key to success

This content was published on Sep 27, 2004 Political analyst Julian Hottinger told swissinfo the party’s success was down to its formidable political machinery and disregard for consensus. The People’s Party pulled no punches in its efforts to persuade voters to reject two government initiatives to ease citizenship rules for young foreigners. Advertisements with images of black hands snatching Swiss passports, pictures of…

Swiss Politics

Senate rejects plan to use excess gold for pensions

This content was published on Sep 27, 2004 Parliamentarians voted on Tuesday in favour of giving the cantons two-thirds of the funds raised, with the remaining third for the federal government. Earlier this year Switzerland’s other parliamentary chamber, the House of Representatives, supported a proposal to invest the bulk of the proceeds in the old-age pension scheme. The difference of opinion between the…

Swiss Politics

Swiss keep young foreigners at arm’s length

This content was published on Sep 26, 2004 They also turned down a plan to prevent the closure of rural post offices, but finally approved statutory maternity benefits, which were voted on for the fourth time. Christoph Blocher, the Swiss justice minister, said the government would have to accept voters’ decision on citizenship, adding there were no plans to present new proposals. His…

Swiss Abroad

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Swiss Abroad

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Swiss and Bosnian presidents hail progress

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Rifts appear in power-sharing government

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Parliament sharpens knife for army spending cuts

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Government hands bilateral accords to parliament

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Regal timepiece heads for auction

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Swiss wants to improve American voting system

More

Parliament extends aid package after debate

More

Right sees perpetual campaigning as key to success

More

Senate rejects plan to use excess gold for pensions

More

Swiss keep young foreigners at arm’s length

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