Swiss Abroad

Formula One fans want race ban lifted

This content was published on Jun 15, 2004 But the chances of Michael Schumacher gracing a Swiss racetrack in the near future appear slim, even if parliamentarians give the green light. Formula One races were held in Switzerland until the 1950s when they were banned following a serious accident at Le Mans in France in which more than 80 people died. Strong opposition…

Swiss Politics

Switzerland tiptoes around alpine protection

This content was published on Jun 15, 2004 On Monday the Senate voted in favour of ratifying three of nine framework protocols contained in the Alpine Convention, which entered into force in 1995. Parliamentarians showed their support for protocols on transport, soil conservation, and land use planning and sustainable development. But they decided to delay a vote on ratification of six other protocols,…

Swiss Politics

Switzerland cold-shoulders Alpine Convention

This content was published on Jun 12, 2004 Now parliament is preparing to revisit the Convention, which entered into force in 1995. Switzerland signed the agreement in 1991, along with Austria, France, Germany, Italy, Liechtenstein and the European Union. Slovenia and Monaco joined later. After lengthy consideration, the parliamentary commission for the environment recommended in April that Switzerland ratify the protocols on transport,…

Swiss Politics

Controversial asylum centre sparks outcry

This content was published on Jun 10, 2004 Refugee groups and residents have mounted fierce opposition to the controversial project – for very different reasons. On April 1, the federal authorities stopped providing welfare benefits to rejected asylum seekers as part of a cost-cutting exercise. It is now the responsibility of the cantons to provide emergency aid – a bed and some food…

Swiss Politics

Swiss-EU savings tax deal faces delay

This content was published on Jun 9, 2004 But uncertainty remains over whether Switzerland can ratify the accord on the taxation of EU residents’ savings in time for it to come into force on January 1. On Thursday the Swiss Integration Office said it was ready to initial all the treaties. But EU officials repeated that they would not proceed unless Switzerland did…

Swiss Politics

Former justice minister settles some scores

This content was published on Jun 9, 2004 Her book also settles some scores with members of her Christian Democratic Party, including the current Swiss president, Joseph Deiss. Metzler, who presented her book to the media on Wednesday, said it was aimed at a wider public than just those with an interest in politics. She added that there was far more to the…

Swiss Politics

Former cabinet minister bites back

This content was published on Jun 9, 2004 In an interview with swissinfo, journalist Marc Comina talks about the power struggle which brought her down and the close-knit world of Swiss politics. Metzler’s book, which is due out on Thursday, is guaranteed to be a bestseller. It is a frank account of her time in the cabinet, lifting the lid on an inner…

Swiss Politics

Deiss confident of winning support for bilaterals

This content was published on Jun 4, 2004 He told swissinfo he was not worried about the threat of a referendum against the treaties, which are expected to be put before parliament in the autumn. Last month Switzerland wrapped up more than two years of negotiations on a package of nine accords after Brussels agreed to guarantee Swiss banking secrecy in exchange for…

Swiss Politics

Swiss reach out to victims of Sudanese conflict

This content was published on Jun 3, 2004 At a United Nations conference in Geneva on Thursday, Calmy-Rey called on the international community to do more to help the victims of the conflict. “Today, the situation in Darfur is considered one of the most serious humanitarian crises in the world,” Calmy-Rey said in her opening speech before representatives of various aid agencies and…

Swiss Politics

Growing up in Gaza

This content was published on Jun 3, 2004 She is one of more than four million Palestinian refugees who will be the subject of a Swiss-backed United Nations conference in Geneva next week. Ahead of the meeting, which starts on Monday, swissinfo’s Anna Nelson takes an in-depth look at the worsening humanitarian situation in the Gaza Strip. Amina lives with her parents, grandmother…

Swiss Abroad

Popular Stories

Most Discussed

Swiss Abroad

More

Formula One fans want race ban lifted

More

Switzerland tiptoes around alpine protection

More

Switzerland cold-shoulders Alpine Convention

More

Controversial asylum centre sparks outcry

More

Swiss-EU savings tax deal faces delay

More

Former justice minister settles some scores

More

Former cabinet minister bites back

More

Deiss confident of winning support for bilaterals

More

Swiss reach out to victims of Sudanese conflict

More

Growing up in Gaza

Popular Stories

Most Discussed