Swiss Abroad

Hackers target Swiss defence ministry

This content was published on May 4, 2016 “The attacks were industrial espionage,” Defence Minister Guy Parmelin told the Swiss daily newspapers Tages-Anzeiger and The Bund in an interview on Wednesday. According to the news report, Russia is suspected of being behind the computer attacks. The Russian embassy in Bern has not commented on the issue. The Tages-Anzeiger has also quoted Alex Kuprecht, head…

Swiss Politics

UN resolution aims to protect medical and aid workers

This content was published on May 3, 2016 The resolution follows bombings of hospitals in Syria, Yemen and Afghanistan, and recalls that such attacks can constitute war crimes. “Even wars have limits, because wars without limits are wars without end,” said Peter Maurer, president of the Swiss-run International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC), to the Council ambassadors in New York City on…

Swiss Politics

Potential jihadis monitored as fewer leave Switzerland

This content was published on May 2, 2016 Markus Seiler, the head of the FIS, told the press on Monday in Bern that jihadi-motivated terrorism remains a major threat for Switzerland and Europe, as shown by recent attacks in Paris and Brussels. Switzerland is not a primary target for jihadi organisations, but Seiler said that the intelligence service is mostly concerned about attacks…

Swiss Politics

Citizens pick payments over asylum seekers

This content was published on May 2, 2016 The town’s voters rejected a budget that had specifically left out asylum seeker payments, thereby indicating that they want the payments to be re-introduced. The budget was voted down on Sunday by a margin of 579 to 525 votes, with a voter turnout of 68.9%. The issue has divided the town since last year,…

Swiss Politics

‘A European Citizens’ Assembly’

This content was published on May 2, 2016 We have experience of running such deliberative mini-publics and we know how to work constructively across languages and other differences. An ECA would be an effective way of bringing the informed deliberations of citizens directly into the political decision making process at scale. Random selection would ensure that every citizen in the EU would have…

Swiss Politics

‘A minimal proposal’

This content was published on May 2, 2016 The problem is that the institutions are not visibly delivering democratic accountability (or effective governance). How could citizen participation solve the problem? To start with, I think it has to be acknowledged that direct democracy at the EU level is not an option – only a small minority of citizens will ever engage with single…

Big turnout for Labour Day parades

This content was published on May 1, 2016 The majority of the traditional trade unions parade’s participants were peaceful, however around 300 members of the left autonomous scene joined the march, throwing smoke bombs and fire crackers and spraying graffiti. International food chains, banks and police buildings were particular targets. According to police estimates, the damage adds up to tens of thousands of…

Swiss Politics

What next for European democracy?

This content was published on May 1, 2016 It takes more than just a perspective of the next 50 days to be able to see a silver lining on the dark horizons of Europe. On June 23, almost 50 million British citizens will be asked if they would like their country to ‘stay in’ or ‘leave’ the EU. As usual, a fair share…

Swiss Politics

New federal asylum centre opens up

This content was published on Apr 30, 2016 The new centre is located in an old hospital, the Bern Zieglerspital, which was closed last year due to restructuring. The site will be used as a reception and processing centre. Service at the site is restricted to eight years. At first 150 people will stay at the centre, later up to 350 could be…

Swiss Politics

From luxury buildings to places for the people

This content was published on Apr 30, 2016 Bern City Hall, dating from the 15th century, was once the seat of the Bern elite. Here, behind the thick sandstone walls, the councillors – all rich and from the nobility – sat together and made decisions about their subjects. Then Napoleon came and ended the regime. Nowadays this former symbol of lack of freedom…

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Swiss Abroad

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Hackers target Swiss defence ministry

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UN resolution aims to protect medical and aid workers

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Potential jihadis monitored as fewer leave Switzerland

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Citizens pick payments over asylum seekers

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‘A European Citizens’ Assembly’

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‘A minimal proposal’

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Big turnout for Labour Day parades

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What next for European democracy?

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New federal asylum centre opens up

More

From luxury buildings to places for the people

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