Swiss Abroad

Switzerland: the gold standard?

This content was published on Nov 17, 2016 In the first panel discussion about types of democracy and what they can do for societies, Switzerland was referenced by representatives from other parts of the world as a “gold standard” for direct democracy. Adrian Schmid, a former parliamentarian from Lucerne behind more than a dozen initiatives and referendums, says that the key to success…

Swiss Politics

Christian group wants to ‘protect’ marriage

This content was published on Nov 17, 2016 Voters in and around Zurich will soon decide on whether to define marriage in the constitution as between a man and a woman only.

Swiss Politics

The Basque bullfight

This content was published on Nov 17, 2016 At the Forum’s opening evening, the basque performer Mursego took the stage to share traditional music with a twist – layers of sound that she uses to turn herself into a one-woman band. Mursego is not a democracy activist or politician, but she did say she thinks there’s still “a lot of work to be…

‘Bridges between islands’

This content was published on Nov 17, 2016 In their opening remarks to participants, Global Forum co-presidents Bruno Kaufmann and Joe Mathews emphasized the focus of this year’s event: “local love and global commitment”, as Mathews put it. Kaufmann spoke of cities’ roles as “islands of democracy”, acknowledging that “democracy can also be a great challenge and dangerous. We have to struggle to…

Read more: ‘Bridges between islands’

Swiss Politics

Protesters greet the Global Forum

This content was published on Nov 16, 2016 At the event’s official opening on Wednesday, Global Forum attendees were greeted by protesters gathered in front of San Sebastian’s city hall in opposition to a project to build an underground subway line that they feel was forced upon them. They used the Global Forum’s presence in their city to argue that their democratic rights…

Swiss Politics

Multicultural coverage

This content was published on Nov 16, 2016 A team from swissinfo’s German, English, Spanish and Arabic services are covering this week’s Global Forum for Modern Direct Democracy in Donostia/San Sebastian, Spain, for audiences in different parts of the world.

Lawmakers oppose tax deductible fines and bribes

This content was published on Nov 16, 2016 The draft law, announced by cabinet on Wednesday, hopes to clarify the tax treatment of criminally convicted companies. The issue turned into a political and social hot potato when Swiss banks – starting with UBS in 2009 – faced huge fines for tax evasion and other offences. Cabinet said as early as 2014 that it…

Swiss Politics

Have Switzerland’s nuclear reactors become too old and dangerous?

This content was published on Nov 16, 2016 Swiss voters may have little reason to fear a major nuclear accident triggered by age-related issues.

Swiss Politics

More than half a century of atomic energy in Switzerland

This content was published on Nov 16, 2016 In immagini le tappe principali della movimentata storia dell'energia nucleare in Svizzera.

Swiss Politics

Should refugees be screened for infections?

This content was published on Nov 15, 2016 Afona Chernet, a researcher at the Swiss Tropical and Public Health InstituteExternal link in Basel, examined around 100 Eritrean refugees who had lived in Switzerland for less than a year. He was looking for infectious diseases that are common in Africa. It was the first time such a study had been undertaken in Switzerland. The…

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