Swiss Politics

Signatures against free movement submitted

This content was published on Oct 2, 2008 Activists from the youth branch of the Swiss People’s Party, the Swiss Democrats and the Lega dei Ticinesi handed in 51,700 signatures to the Federal Chancellery on Thursday. If the Chancellery verifies that the coalition has gathered 50,000 legitimate signatures, Swiss voters will decide on February 8, 2009 whether Switzerland will continue the freedom of…

Swiss Politics

Couchepin to hold first-ever talks in Lebanon

This content was published on Oct 2, 2008 The three-day trip is meant as a show of support for Lebanon’s new president, Michel Suleiman, a former military commander who gained power as a candidate willing to compromise in May 2008. Couchepin and Suleiman plan to have informal talks on political, economic and cultural cooperation at a retreat in Lebanon’s mountainous region. The Swiss…

Swiss Politics

Merz to return to finance post

This content was published on Oct 2, 2008 The 66-year-old cabinet minister informed Swiss President Pascal Couchepin of his plans on September 29 and left the Bern University hospital on Wednesday. In a letter addressed to Couchepin, Merz indicated he would return to work as soon as possible, the Federal Chancellery said. Justice Minister Eveline Widmer-Schlumpf has taken on the finance portfolio in…

Swiss Politics

Senate backs compromise on smoking

This content was published on Oct 2, 2008 The chamber that represents Switzerland’s cantons joined the House of Representatives in approving a compromise package on the smoking issue. It permits smoking in small restaurants and bars with a surface area of less than 80 square metres, but there are strict conditions. Rooms where smoking is allowed have to be well ventilated and clearly…

Swiss Politics

Vote for Hitler “normal” in economic context

This content was published on Oct 1, 2008 But researchers demonstrate that the voters most hurt by the depression, and most likely to oppose the government, were a disparate group who did not uniformly turn to the Nazis. “The consequences of Hitler’s election were extraordinary,” the authors say, “but the voting behaviour that led to it was not.” Because of the unprecedented circumstances…

Swiss Politics

Embattled minister’s popularity plummets

This content was published on Oct 1, 2008 For the first time since 2002 Pascal Couchepin, this year’s president, doesn’t find himself at the bottom of the seven-minister class, thanks largely to Schmid experiencing an annus horribilis. Schmid is under pressure to resign both over reforms of the armed forces and personnel decisions. He is also at odds with the rightwing Swiss People’s…

Swiss Politics

Government aid agency introduces new structure

This content was published on Oct 1, 2008 The SDC said in a statement on Wednesday that the move was expected to raise the efficiency of its efforts to alleviate poverty and solve global development problems. Measures include a reduction of the management board from 11 to seven members and the creation of staff office to help in planning. Reforms at the SDC’s…

Swiss Politics

Iranians detained in money laundering probe

This content was published on Sep 30, 2008 The group of about ten detainees has connections to the People’s Mujahideen Organisation of Iran (PMOI), which is listed as a terrorist group in the European Union and United States. They were arrested last week and are still in custody, judicial sources and the group’s lawyer said. The police swoop was coordinated between French and…

Swiss Politics

Federal Court reverses Geneva smoking ban

This content was published on Sep 30, 2008 The judgement puts a dent in the nationwide anti-smoking trend with voters in Zurich and Basel voting on Sunday in favour of more restrictive smoking regulations in line with existing practice in several other cantons. The Federal Court annulled the ruling by the Geneva cantonal government on the grounds that the legal basis for the…

Swiss Politics

Artificial reproduction on the rise

This content was published on Sep 29, 2008 According to the Federal Statistics Office, around 5,400 couples last year made use of one form or another of assisted reproductive technology – a 13 per cent rise on 2006. The Statistics Office said on Monday that around 1.6 of every 1,000 women in Switzerland of child bearing age undergoes treatment. About one in every…

Swiss Politics

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Swiss Politics

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Signatures against free movement submitted

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Couchepin to hold first-ever talks in Lebanon

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Merz to return to finance post

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Senate backs compromise on smoking

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Vote for Hitler “normal” in economic context

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Embattled minister’s popularity plummets

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Government aid agency introduces new structure

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Iranians detained in money laundering probe

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Federal Court reverses Geneva smoking ban

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Artificial reproduction on the rise

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