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Swiss Politics

Citizenship vote outcome stirs mixed emotions

This content was published on Jun 1, 2008 Commentators have pointed to a lack of a clear message as one reason behind Sunday’s “no” vote. Party internal squabbles may also have played a role – a charge which the leadership denies. With 63.6 per cent saying no, Swiss voters clearly rejected the People’s Party initiative that also aimed to stop the right of…

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Swiss Politics

People’s Party bans chapter in ministerial row

This content was published on Jun 1, 2008 The decision is subject to an appeal but delegates look set to confirm the ban of the Graubünden cantonal section at the beginning of next month. An overwhelming majority of the party leadership approved a proposal to punish the Graubünden chapter for supporting Widmer-Schlumpf, according to senior party officials. Widmer-Schlumpf criticised the decision as collective…

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Swiss Politics

People’s Party defeated in citizenship vote

This content was published on Jun 1, 2008 The electorate also turned down plans for health reform and proposed restrictions on the government’s information policy. More than 63 per cent of voters and all but one of the country’s 26 cantons on Sunday came out against the initiative, which also wanted to deny the right of appeal to those whose citizenship requests had…

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Swiss Politics

Rightwing citizenship plan defeated

This content was published on Jun 1, 2008 Results show that the plan, by the rightwing Swiss People’s Party, has not mustered the necessary majority of the cantons. Two other issues – the latest reform of health system and plans to limit the information policy of the federal authorities – are also heading for rejection in Sunday’s vote, according to the gfs.berne polling…

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Swiss Politics

Basel decides for exhibition centre

This content was published on Jun 1, 2008 Swiss Exhibition, which runs the site, wants to increase the space for highly successful fairs, such as the watch industry’s Baselworld. Opponents had argued that the extension was too expensive and did not fit in with the city’s architecture. The Exhibition Centre Basel 2012 project – expected to cost around SFr400 million ($389 million) –…

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Swiss Politics

Citizenship issue comes to a nationwide vote

This content was published on May 31, 2008 Also being voted on are a plan to limit the information given out by the federal authorities ahead of nationwide votes, and the latest health system reform proposal. Polls suggest all three proposals could be turned down. Five years ago the Federal Court outlawed the ballot box as a way of dealing with citizenship requests.…

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Swiss Politics

Glittering ceremony for revamped Bern station

This content was published on May 31, 2008 The around SFr100 million ($96 million) project is helping to ensure that the city presents itself in its best light ahead of the Euro 2008 football championships. Switzerland and Austria are co-hosting the tournament, which starts on June 7. The new station and square have been hailed by Bern mayor Alexander Tschäppät as a further…

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Swiss Politics

Tobacco exports flourish as Swiss smoke less

This content was published on May 31, 2008 However, the number of Swiss smokers is gradually decreasing as anti-smoking measures gain momentum – Saturday is World No Tobacco Day – and the number of Swiss-made cigarettes sold on the domestic market continues to fall. Switzerland is something of a magnet for international tobacco companies, with three large firms – British American Tobacco Switzerland,…

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Swiss Politics

Cabinet gives green light for WTO renovation

This content was published on May 30, 2008 In a statement on Friday the cabinet said that it had agreed with the WTO on long-term renovation plans that would costs a total of SFr130 million. About half will be funded through interest-free loans that the WTO will have to pay back within 50 years. Switzerland will pay the rest of the bill. Foreign…

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Swiss Politics

Government calls for two-stage border accords

This content was published on May 30, 2008 The government said it hoped to introduce the Schengen system at its land borders on December 5/6 but would prefer to wait until the timetable change of March 29 2009 before applying it at airports. The Schengen accord abolishes systematic controls on individuals within its zone of application and increases cooperation in the fight against…

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