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Swiss Politics

People’s Party elects new leader

This content was published on Mar 1, 2008 Brunner, a member of the Swiss parliament and well-known party activist who is close to its controversial figurehead, Christoph Blocher, takes over from Ueli Maurer, who has headed the party for 12 years and overseen its sharp rise in popularity. Blocher, who was justice minister from 2003 to 2007, failed to regain his seat in…

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People power prepares to fight global warming

This content was published on Feb 29, 2008 Pressure is mounting on the authorities to do more to fight global warming in Switzerland, especially after the government’s latest package of measures met with a mixed response. Green groups and centre-left parties handed in their initiative to the Federal Chancellery in the capital, Bern, on Friday. They managed to collect more than 150,000 signatures…

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New party boss wants stronger Social Democrats

This content was published on Feb 29, 2008 swissinfo caught up with Levrat – the only candidate to take over the job from Hans-Jürg Fehr – to ask him what his plans were for the party’s future and if it could regain voter confidence. The centre-left party took just under 20 per cent of the vote in last October’s elections – down from…

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Swiss Politics

Airport noise test case wins compensation

This content was published on Feb 28, 2008 The Federal Court ordered airport operators Unique to compensate for lost property value. The ruling could open the floodgates for thousands of similar claims, costing up to an estimated SFr1.2 billion. Wednesday’s decision has been viewed as a partial victory for householders who live on flight paths. The court both knocked down the claimant’s request…

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Swiss Politics

“Dramatic” rise in young binge drinkers

This content was published on Feb 28, 2008 An average of five young people are admitted to hospital each day, warned the Swiss Institute for the Prevention of Drug and Alcohol Problems on Thursday. Figures released by the Federal Health Office indicate that between 2004 and 2005 roughly 1,800 young people between the ages of ten and 23 were treated for either alcohol…

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Swiss Politics

Serbia recalls envoy as Bern recognises Kosovo

This content was published on Feb 27, 2008 Serbia immediately reacted to the move by recalling its ambassador to Bern, arguing that it was an “attack” against Serbia’s sovereignty. President Pascal Couchepin said Switzerland would establish diplomatic relations with the breakaway Serbian province, which declared independence ten days ago. Couchepin said the government took the decision on Wednesday following consultations with two key…

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Swiss Politics

Swiss recognise Kosovo independence

This content was published on Feb 27, 2008 President Pascal Couchepin said Switzerland would establish diplomatic relations with the breakaway Serbian province after it declared independence ten days ago. Couchepin said the government took the decision on Wednesday following consultations with two key parliamentary committees. He said the government welcomed a commitment by the authorities in Kosovo to protect ethnic minorities and accept…

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Swiss Politics

Swiss to vote on executive salaries

This content was published on Feb 26, 2008 The group calling itself the committee against the “rip-off mentality” said it had collected nearly 118,600 names for its people’s initiative since the launch of the campaign in October 2006. Thomas Minder, the businessman behind the initiative, said he had deliberately chosen Tuesday to hand in the signatures to the federal authorities in Bern. He…

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Swiss Politics

Photo finish decides vote on company tax cuts

This content was published on Feb 24, 2008 The reform, which was endorsed by parliament last year, scraped just over 50 per cent of the vote. It had been contested by centre-left parties and trade unions. Merz said he was relieved that small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) would now benefit from the package of measures aimed at reducing the financial and administrative burden.…

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Swiss Politics

Thousands rally against Kosovo independence

This content was published on Feb 24, 2008 Police put the number of demonstrators at between 3,500 and 4,000, while organisers spoke of 8,000. The demonstrators waved Serbian flags and placards, and listened to speeches and music. A smaller demonstration took place in Zurich on Saturday. Serbia’s ambassador to Switzerland has warned Switzerland of the consequences of recognising Kosovo. “Switzerland would put its…

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