Swiss Abroad

Cabinet pushes for talks on banking data exchange

This content was published on May 21, 2014 Finance Minister Eveline Widmer-Schlumpf said the separate negotiations with the European Union, the United States and with other – for the time being unnamed – countries had to be in line with the principle of reciprocity and the information could only be used for tax purposes. She said agreeing an automatic exchange of tax-relevant data…

Swiss Politics

Italy’s leader visits amid tax and quota questions

This content was published on May 20, 2014 The 88-year-old Napolitano said on Monday that he hoped the February 9 vote to re-introduce quotas for EU immigrants to Switzerland would leave “enough room” for the necessary co-operation between the EU and Switzerland. Italy will take over the EU presidency in July. Swiss President Didier Burkhalter, who welcomed Napolitano and met him on Monday,…

Swiss Politics

Sanctions against CAR figures tied to violence

This content was published on May 20, 2014 The move brings Switzerland into line with a decision taken by the UN Security Council on May 10. The State Secretariat for Economic Affairs (SECO) said the penalties came into effect on Tuesday. Aside from Bozizé, who is a supporter of the Christian anti-balaka militia, the sanctions affect a leader of the group, Levy Yakété…

Swiss Politics

Gripen debate comes down to costs versus security

This content was published on May 18, 2014 Polls closed at midday and final results are expected later in the day. More than 20 years after a ballot on the controversial acquisition of fighter jets from the United States, voters once again have the final say on the partial renewal of the air force. But his time round the outcome may not be…

Swiss Politics

Tracking reactions to Switzerland’s vote

This content was published on May 18, 2014

Swiss Politics

How to welcome an emperor

This content was published on May 17, 2014 An exhibit at Jegenstorf Castle, where the guest of honour stayed during his state visit, looks back on the big event of 1954 when the exotic ruler greeted those paying homage to him from a horse-drawn carriage and schoolchildren got the day off to wave flags along the route. There were other political motives behind…

Cabinet gives healthcare system a shot in the arm

This content was published on May 14, 2014 Presenting a draft bill, Interior Minister Alain Berset said Switzerland had a good health system. “But there are also shortcomings and the quality of health care could be improved,” he told a news conference on Wednesday. Berset, whose portfolio includes health matters, said that one in ten hospital patients end up suffering further problems during…

Swiss Politics

St Gallen geothermal power project abandoned

This content was published on May 14, 2014 Officials on Wednesday said the risks of further, small-scale earthquakes and financial issues had contributed to the decision. Drilling work at the site outside St Gallen has been on hold since July 2013 when a tremor, measuring 3.5 on the Richter scale shook the earth. The borehole was later sealed. The authorities are however considering…

Opinion

Swiss Politics

Financial intelligence to counter foreign-fighter risk

This content was published on May 14, 2014 Recently, a British Parliament Home Affairs Committee enquiry into counterterrorism heard from a range of experts how returning fighters pose a statistically significant risk to the security of their home countries. Research published by Thomas Hegghammer also suggests that perhaps one-in-nine foreign fighters from the West might perpetrate attacks on their home countries once they…

Swiss Politics

In Brussels, Burkhalter details Ukraine plans

This content was published on May 12, 2014 “Despite the steps undertaken by the Ukrainian government to implement the Geneva Statement [agreed on April 17 by the United States, Russia and Ukraine ], the situation has deteriorated further in parts of the country,” Burkhalter pointed out in his speech before the European Union’s foreign ministers. “Hostages have been taken, administrative buildings seized by…

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