Swiss Politics

Swiss cross stands for unity

This content was published on Jan 1, 2006 In his New Year’s Day address, Leuenberger said the country’s strength lay in its commitment to the state and public services. Referring to an official photograph of the cabinet grouped around a Swiss cross, Leuenberger said this symbolised the unity and agreement which should be at the heart of the state. “We are working together…

EU challenge for Switzerland’s neighbour

This content was published on Dec 31, 2005 Switzerland is as yet unsure how this development will affect the good relations it has traditionally enjoyed with its neighbour to the east. Austria will hold the presidency for six months, before handing on the baton to Finland. The legacy left by Britain is a difficult one. Although the EU managed to resolve its budget…

Swiss Politics

2006 president seeks consensus in cabinet

This content was published on Dec 31, 2005 Leuenberger – a Social Democrat – said he was happy that all seven members of the four-party cabinet stood by the principle of collegiality. The cabinet includes two members of the rightwing Swiss People’s Party, which opposed Leuenberger’s appointment as president. The party has criticised the transport minister for the way he has handled his…

Swiss Politics

Where to now for Swiss-EU relations?

This content was published on Dec 31, 2005 The EU is urging non-member Switzerland to decide what kind of relationship it wants with the 25-nation bloc in the long term. The Swiss government plans to publish a report on that very question in 2006. In theory, the options range from doing very little – adding a few more treaties to two packages of…

Swiss Politics

Pro Helvetia president takes stock

This content was published on Dec 27, 2005 Yvette Jaggi, who has been in the post since 1998, has presided over a radical reform of the organisation. She will be replaced on January 1 by Mario Annoni, a local government politician. Pro Helvetia was at the centre of a row last year after it funded a highly controversial exhibition in Paris. It subsequently…

Swiss Politics

2005: a subdued year for direct democracy

This content was published on Dec 26, 2005 The federation of trade unions and the fishing association both announced they were collecting signatures to force a vote. In comparison, nine initiatives were launched in 2004 and 19 in 1998. The Swiss Fishing Association is calling for the renaturalisation of public lakes and rivers. Meanwhile the federation of trade unions is campaigning for the…

Swiss Politics

Swiss say stability returning to tsunami zone

This content was published on Dec 26, 2005 They report that life is returning to normal in many affected areas. Infrastructure has been restored and the work of reconstructing houses has begun. Many hotels in the tourist areas of southern Thailand, the Maldives and Sri Lanka have reopened and are attracting visitors from Switzerland in increasing numbers. The Swiss Agency for Development and…

Swiss Politics

Gifts give Christmas cheer to the needy

This content was published on Dec 24, 2005 From Saturday onwards, surplus gifts can be handed in to post offices across the country. They will then be sent to the non-governmental organisation, the Swiss Red Cross, which distributes the packages to the underprivileged. The operation, called Twice Christmas, is jointly organised by the Swiss Post, the Swiss Red Cross and the Swiss Broadcasting…

Swiss Politics

Post-tsunami rebuilding gathers pace

This content was published on Dec 23, 2005 Critics say that progress is too slow, but the non-governmental organisations counter that the process has been dogged by administration and ethnic problems and that doing the job properly simply takes time. The east coast has already suffered 20 years of ethnic conflict between the governing Buddhist Sinhalese and the mainly Hindu Liberation Tigers of…

Swiss Politics

Tougher immigration rules face opposition

This content was published on Dec 22, 2005 They formally launched a referendum on Thursday against tighter regulations on immigration. The amended law made an unfair distinction between nationals from European countries and those coming from outside, said Green Party parliamentarian Ueli Leuenberger in Bern. He said about 280,000 foreigners from countries outside the European Union and the three member states of the…

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Swiss cross stands for unity

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EU challenge for Switzerland’s neighbour

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2006 president seeks consensus in cabinet

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Where to now for Swiss-EU relations?

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Pro Helvetia president takes stock

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2005: a subdued year for direct democracy

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Swiss say stability returning to tsunami zone

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Gifts give Christmas cheer to the needy

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Post-tsunami rebuilding gathers pace

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Tougher immigration rules face opposition

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