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Swiss Politics

Voting rights for foreigners gaining ground

This content was published on May 11, 2005 At the end of April, the people of Geneva decided to grant foreign residents the right to vote – a right that already exists in several Swiss cantons. Fifty-two per cent of the canton’s citizens said yes to a proposal to introduce voting rights for foreigners in local authority elections. Consequently, on April 25, Geneva…

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Schengen vote threatens government cohesion

This content was published on May 11, 2005 Political analyst Julian Hottinger told swissinfo that the justice minister was caught between his obligation to toe the government line and the demands of his rightwing People’s Party. Blocher broke cabinet ranks on Sunday by declaring his opposition to the Schengen/Dublin accords on fighting crime and asylum. Under the principles of collegiality the seven cabinet…

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Swiss water expert to mediate in dam dispute

This content was published on May 11, 2005 Both sides have welcomed the appointment of Lafitte, who is a civil engineer and a professor at the Federal Institute of Technology in Lausanne. “Both India and Pakistan have found Professor Lafitte suitably qualified as a neutral expert,” commented the Washington-based bank in a statement. “His findings will be made known in time.” The Baghliar…

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Swiss Politics

Late recognition for Swiss peace mediator

This content was published on May 6, 2005 Max Waibel’s negotiating skills led to the capitulation of the German forces in Italy and are believed to have saved many lives. Political and military figures were among those who attended the ceremony in Lucerne on Friday – two days before the 60th anniversary of the end of the war in Europe. The bronze plaque…

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Swiss sound alarm over disarmament inertia

This content was published on May 3, 2005 Peter Maurer, Swiss ambassador to the UN in New York, called on Tuesday for more to be done to strengthen the Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty (NPT). Maurer was addressing delegates on the second day of a conference on the NPT in New York. The treaty, signed in 1970, was designed to stop the spread of weapons,…

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Swiss Politics

“Opponents of Schengen are spreading fear”

This content was published on May 2, 2005 But in an interview with swissinfo, Micheline Calmy-Rey said she was confident of winning support for the Schengen/Dublin accords when they are put to a vote on June 5. Schengen/Dublin governs closer cooperation with the EU on crime and asylum. The treaties form part of a second set of bilateral accords signed between Bern and…

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Swiss Politics

UN requests Swiss help in Hariri investigation

This content was published on Apr 30, 2005 Five Swiss experts took part in the first UN inquiry in March. Hariri was killed by a car bomb in Beirut on February 14. The foreign ministry said the request had been received on Saturday and was being considered. “The foreign ministry will discuss this request over the next few days with the departments concerned,”…

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Swiss Politics

Government attacked over Schengen campaign

This content was published on Apr 30, 2005 The Campaign for an Independent and Neutral Switzerland (CINS) on Saturday demanded that the government stop its pro-European “propaganda” and refrain from “muzzling” opponents. The group held its annual meeting in Bern five weeks before the June 5 nationwide referendum on Swiss adherence to the Schengen and Dublin agreements. On Friday the latest opinion poll…

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Swiss Politics

Far-right party makes political breakthrough

This content was published on Apr 29, 2005 The surprise election of teenager X* to the government of the commune of Günsberg in northern Switzerland has caused widespread dismay. But, at least for one political observer, the election should not be seen as a cause for alarm. X, who represents the Party of Nationally Orientated Swiss (PNOS), gained 21% of the vote in the…

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Swiss Politics

Voters lean towards “yes” on Schengen

This content was published on Apr 29, 2005 The latest poll by the Bern-based Gfs Institute, carried out on behalf of the Swiss Broadcasting Corporation, found that 62 per cent would back the accords if the vote were held today. The Swiss electorate will decide on the issue on June 5, as well as a new partnership law for gays and lesbians. The…

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