Swiss Politics

Rights’ records come under UN gaze

This content was published on Apr 7, 2008 Observers are warning the council’s credibility depends on the success of the new mechanism. Switzerland is due to go before the review on May 8. Over the next two weeks, the first 16 countries will have their human rights records examined by a UPR working group, including Bahrain, Britain, India, Brazil, Algeria, South Africa, and…

Swiss Politics

OSCE calls for more transparency in funding

This content was published on Apr 6, 2008 It made the recommendation in a report on last October’s Swiss parliamentary elections. The Vienna-based organisation, of which Switzerland is a member, said the issue of financing had become “increasingly controversial” in the country. An OSCE mission invited to observe the elections said many people had indicated that undisclosed funding allowed powerful interest groups and…

Swiss Politics

People’s Party backs ultimatum action

This content was published on Apr 5, 2008 At a meeting in Lungern in central Switzerland, they gave a round of applause to a vote on Friday by the party’s central committee approving an ultimatum for her to step down. There was no debate on the ultimatum at Saturday’s meeting. Neither Widmer-Schlumpf nor Defence Minister Samuel Schmid, also under pressure from the party,…

Swiss Politics

Pre-schoolers missing out on education

This content was published on Apr 4, 2008 With only 23 per cent of three to four year olds attending some form of pre-school in 2003, Swiss children have a lot of catching up to do with their European counterparts. The European average was 65 per cent. The aim of the Unesco study is to establish the state of affairs in all Switzerland’s…

Swiss Politics

Experts seek path to Cyprus reunification

This content was published on Apr 4, 2008 The specialists are meeting in Aarau in northwestern Switzerland to prepare guidelines aimed at helping both sides find a solution to the conflict themselves, and end the division that began more three decades ago. “Both sides want a fresh start and have shown they want to negotiate again,” Auer told swissinfo ahead of the meeting…

Swiss Politics

Pledge to boost economic conditions

This content was published on Apr 4, 2008 The targets will underpin its 2008-2011 economic strategy for promoting sustainable growth and raising the gross domestic product from five to ten per cent, the cabinet announced on Thursday. To tackle high prices, the government wants to strengthen competition within the domestic market and open it up further to foreign goods. Business needed to be…

Swiss Politics

Minister rejects demands to step down

This content was published on Apr 3, 2008 On Thursday Widmer-Schlumpf rejected an ultimatum from the People’s Party leadership to leave the party or be pushed. She was warned on Wednesday that if she failed to comply by a deadline of April 11, the leadership would instruct the branch of the party in her home canton of Graubünden to expel her. “I will…

Swiss Politics

Tougher export rules for training aircraft

This content was published on Apr 3, 2008 The economics ministry said such sales would no longer be allowed to countries involved in international conflicts or civil war. Under current Swiss legislation, exports of Swiss training aircraft to Chad are not illegal but they are subject to international controls, including embargos. A Pilatus PC-9 aircraft was repeatedly fitted with arms and used for…

Swiss Politics

People’s Party wants minister out

This content was published on Apr 2, 2008 The party has set a deadline of April 11. If she fails to comply, the leadership has told the branch of the party in her home canton of Graubünden to expel her. Widmer-Schlumpf replaced the party’s controversial representative, Christoph Blocher, in the government last December. She was elected to the cabinet by parliament as a…

Swiss Politics

Restoring America’s prestige in the world

This content was published on Apr 2, 2008 Allan Lichtman talks about the challenges facing the US in repairing its global image, and the issues that will affect relations with Europe. The academic is best known for his “Keys” system, which has helped him accurately predict the winner of the presidential elections over the past two decades. He will publish a book on…

Swiss Politics

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Swiss Politics

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Rights’ records come under UN gaze

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OSCE calls for more transparency in funding

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People’s Party backs ultimatum action

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Pre-schoolers missing out on education

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Experts seek path to Cyprus reunification

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Pledge to boost economic conditions

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Minister rejects demands to step down

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Tougher export rules for training aircraft

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People’s Party wants minister out

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Restoring America’s prestige in the world

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