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Swiss Politics

Challenges lie ahead for pension system

This content was published on Jan 17, 2007 The so-called three-pillar system remains vulnerable though, with structural issues still to be resolved. The Swiss love their insurance. When it comes to life coverage, they are ranked just behind the Japanese and the British. This high degree of cover is included in a complex social insurance scheme that takes into account retirement, disability and…

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Swiss Politics

EU sends bill for Romania and Bulgaria

This content was published on Jan 17, 2007 Although no sum has been explicitly mentioned, it is no secret that the EU is looking for SFr300-350 million ($240-280 million) from Switzerland over five years. It was clear even before a referendum in November on contributing SFr1 billion ($800 million) towards the ten new European Union member countries that Romania and Bulgaria would also…

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Swiss Politics

Swiss-German accord to deter terrorist attacks

This content was published on Jan 10, 2007 But the accord, which comes ahead of the 2008 European football championships, does not authorise military pilots to make use of force in German airspace, limiting their role mainly to monitoring suspect aircraft. According to the Swiss government, the convention it signed on Wednesday guarantees better flight security cooperation between both countries. Besides improving the…

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Nepalese want a “Swiss Asia”

This content was published on Jan 9, 2007 “We want to be the Switzerland of Asia,” announced Prakash Man Singh, deputy secretary-general of the Nepali Congress – the biggest political party – in Bern on Tuesday. Singh said he had learnt a lot about the Swiss system, for example concerning federalism, but added he was aware that Nepal was not in a position…

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Swiss fathers encouraged to rock the cradle

This content was published on Jan 9, 2007 Among the raft of family-friendly measures to be introduced immediately within the economics ministry, new fathers will now be able to take five days’ paid and 20 days’ unpaid paternity leave. Although this is still a far cry from the generous situation found in most Scandinavian countries, paternity leave is slowly gaining ground in Switzerland.…

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Elections pit right against centre-left

This content was published on Jan 8, 2007 The centre-left Social Democrats and the rightwing Swiss People’s Party are vying to emerge as the largest of the four main parties in parliament. Launching the campaign for the Social Democrats on Monday, President Hans-Jürg Fehr said their aim was to overtake the People’s Party in parliament and challenge the current make-up of the four-party…

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Swiss Politics

Biggest neighbour takes on EU presidency

This content was published on Jan 3, 2007 Berlin is very well acquainted with Switzerland and the relationship could have an effect on the Swiss-EU bilateral treaties. But Germany’s traditionally close relationship with Switzerland will not be a theme of its EU presidency. In fact, Switzerland is not to be found in a presidency programme that gives China, Japan and Canada at least…

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Swiss Politics

Helping young adults avoid the poverty trap

This content was published on Jan 3, 2007 A large number of young people are dependent on welfare, with 18-25 year olds comprising the second largest group drawing benefits. The Conference of Social Institutions wants to increase social provision, including apprenticeship positions for teenagers with learning and other difficulties. On Wednesday it proposed extending compulsory schooling or training by two years to 18…

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Swiss Politics

Mediator between people and government

This content was published on Jan 1, 2007 In her New Year’s Day address, Calmy-Rey said she wanted to play the role of mediator between the Swiss people and the government. “I am particularly fond of this mediating role,” she declared in her speech broadcast on Swiss radio and television. According to Calmy-Rey, the Swiss presidency is “a marvellous opportunity” to listen to…

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Calmy-Rey prepares for new presidential role

This content was published on Jan 1, 2007 In an interview with swissinfo, she praises the role of the Swiss abroad, who she hopes to meet during her travels this year, and calls on the Swiss people to reflect on what binds them together as a nation. Calmy-Rey, who assumes the ceremonial one-year post from Moritz Leuenberger, becomes only the second woman to…

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