Swiss Politics

Swiss parliament ends its summer session

This content was published on Jun 13, 2008 Members decided to continue Switzerland’s agreement with the European Union on the free movement of peoples, which allows Swiss and EU citizens to work in each other countries, and to extend it to apply to the new EU members, Bulgaria and Romania. The Senate followed the House of Representatives in rejecting government moves to ease…

Swiss Politics

NGOs attack Angola demining deal

This content was published on Jun 13, 2008 The contract is linked to the return of allegedly embezzled funds to the African country. The Swiss authorities and Ruag both deny any wrongdoing. The Swiss Agency of Development and Cooperation (SDC) is responsible for returning $21 million (SFr21.8 million) of frozen assets to Angola through humanitarian work. This includes the demining project. The money…

Swiss Politics

Swiss to vote once on free movement agreement

This content was published on Jun 12, 2008 The plan to prolong the free movement of people treaty as well as extending the accord to the EU’s two newest members, Romania and Bulgaria, will be presented to the electorate in a single package. On Thursday, a large majority of the House of Representatives joined the Senate in approving a motion to combine the…

Swiss Politics

At least one dead on military exercise

This content was published on Jun 12, 2008 The defence ministry confirmed on Thursday that another five men were now in hospital – two in a serious condition – but was unable to give the precise cause of the accident. The alarm was raised around 11:30 am. Two dinghies tipped over on the river. Swiss radio reports said the stretch of the river…

Swiss Politics

Parliament decides on EU accord

This content was published on Jun 12, 2008 The plan to prolong the free movement of people treaty as well as extending the accord to the EU’s two newest members, Romania and Bulgaria, will be presented to the electorate in a single package. On Thursday, the House of Representatives joined the Senate in approving a motion to combine the two issues. They will…

Swiss Politics

Swisscoy mission to Kosovo extended

This content was published on Jun 11, 2008 The 220-strong unit, part of the multinational Kosovo force (Kfor), has been in the region since 1999. The Senate on Wednesday unanimously backed the House of Representatives in supporting the continuation of the mission in Kosovo which declared independence from Serbia in February. Speakers pointed out that stability in the Balkan region was in the…

Swiss Politics

Congress calls for Schmid’s departure

This content was published on Jun 7, 2008 Members of the Zurich cantonal chapter made the call at a congress on Saturday, citing the need to clarify the party’s internal situation ahead of federal elections in 2011. The party is facing increasing internal tension in a row over Justice Minister Eveline Widmer-Schlumpf. The party has moved to ban Widmer-Schlumpf and her Graubünden chapter,…

Swiss Politics

“Relations with Switzerland are excellent”

This content was published on Jun 6, 2008 The former Portuguese Prime Minister, who has been in his post at the EC since November 2004, begins his first official trip to Switzerland on Friday. He is due to meet five cabinet ministers, including this year’s president, Pascal Couchepin, to discuss bilateral relations between the 27-nation bloc and Switzerland. The row over corporate tax…

Swiss Politics

Swiss papers reserved about Obama’s chances

This content was published on Jun 5, 2008 But while some newspapers focus on the black senator’s skin colour, others insist race will not be the deciding factor in November’s vote, and say there are still a lot of question marks about Obama. Some of the French-language papers have high hopes that Obama’s candidature can lead to reconciliation between the races. The Tribune…

Swiss Politics

Consensus system intact despite party squabble

This content was published on Jun 4, 2008 But Zurich University political scientist Michael Hermann tells swissinfo that Switzerland is unlikely to abolish its consensus system in the seven-member cabinet. The People’s Party has been subject to internal tensions between hardliners and liberal members for several years. The situation took a turn for the worse after the controversial cabinet minister and People’s Party…

Swiss Politics

Popular Stories

Most Discussed

Swiss Politics

More

Swiss parliament ends its summer session

More

NGOs attack Angola demining deal

More

Swiss to vote once on free movement agreement

More

At least one dead on military exercise

More

Parliament decides on EU accord

More

Swisscoy mission to Kosovo extended

More

Congress calls for Schmid’s departure

More

“Relations with Switzerland are excellent”

More

Swiss papers reserved about Obama’s chances

More

Consensus system intact despite party squabble

Popular Stories

Most Discussed