Swiss Politics

Consensus politics is losing its champions

This content was published on Dec 19, 2005 The reason, he says, is that halfway into the legislative term, Switzerland’s consensus-driven political system is being undermined by both left and right. The champions of consensus – the centre-right parties – were dealt a blow in 2003, when the rightwing Swiss People’s Party’s most prominent representative, Christoph Blocher, was elected to the seven-member cabinet.…

Swiss Politics

Three ministers given the red card

This content was published on Dec 18, 2005 Micheline Calmy-Rey, the only female cabinet minister, got the highest marks in a survey published on Sunday – ahead of the Swiss president, Samuel Schmid. Some 1,005 people from the French- and German-speaking parts of Switzerland were asked by a research institute last week which cabinet ministers they would re-elect at the next elections in…

Swiss Politics

Solution to Swiss-EU funding row “in sight”

This content was published on Dec 17, 2005 Switzerland, which is not a member of the 25-nation bloc, has offered SFr1 billion ($775 million) over five years, but the terms of the contribution have proved difficult. EU leaders agreed on a 2007-2013 budget in Brussels on Saturday after marathon negotiations. Total seven-year spending was set at €862.36 billion (SFr1.37 trillion), which represents 1.045…

Swiss Politics

Iran president’s comments “self-serving”

This content was published on Dec 15, 2005 Tim Guldimann said Mahmoud Ahmadinejad’s comments were not representative of the Iranian regime or people. Ahmadinejad’s tirade about the Holocaust being a “myth” drew widespread condemnation from the international community – including Switzerland – and calls for United Nations intervention. The foreign ministry said it would not tolerate any doubt being cast on the Holocaust…

Swiss Politics

Deiss finds safety in numbers in Hong Kong

This content was published on Dec 15, 2005 Joseph Deiss, the head of the Swiss delegation at the World Trade Organization (WTO) summit, is representing the interests of the G10 group of net agricultural importers. Switzerland, together with countries such as Japan and Norway which heavily subsidise domestic farming, has come under mounting pressure to abandon agricultural import tariffs. Ahead of the summit…

Swiss Politics

Parliament divided over Swisscom privatisation

This content was published on Dec 14, 2005 The government came in for harsh criticism in parliament during the debate on its plans to fully privatise the telecoms firm. The centre-right Christian Democrats will oppose the sale of the government’s 66.1 per cent stake, its president Doris Leuthard said. The Social Democrats have adopted the same position, promising to force a referendum if…

Swiss Politics

War of words with Tunis heats up

This content was published on Dec 9, 2005 The Swiss ambassador in Tunis was called to the Tunisian foreign ministry late on Thursday after the four had held talks with the Swiss foreign minister, Micheline Calmy-Rey. She had talked with the four, who included two lawyers – Abderraouf Ayadi and Samir Dilou – for 20 minutes. Both had staged a hunger strike with…

Swiss Politics

Emblem deal earns Swiss top marks for effort

This content was published on Dec 8, 2005 The 192 signatories to the Geneva Conventions approved the “red crystal” by a two-thirds majority after efforts to reach consensus without a vote failed. The crystal offers a more neutral symbol for the Israeli emergency services, which do not use the existing red cross or red crescent. Switzerland organised the conference, which wrapped up in…

Swiss Politics

Golden windfall for state pension scheme

This content was published on Dec 8, 2005 The House of Representatives accepted the proposal last week, but the final decision depends on the outcome of a related nationwide vote, likely next year. The senators adopted the government’s compromise proposal without a debate but the result is an interim decision. In January 2005, the centre-left Social Democratic Party launched a people’s initiative which…

Swiss Politics

Red crystal tests Swiss diplomacy

This content was published on Dec 8, 2005 Their decision to withdraw their backing skewered Swiss hopes of adopting the red crystal by consensus. Ten days ago a landmark cooperation agreement – brokered by the Swiss – was signed in Geneva by the Israeli and Palestinian emergency services. Many saw this as removing the last remaining barrier preventing all the signatory states to…

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Swiss Politics

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Consensus politics is losing its champions

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Three ministers given the red card

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Solution to Swiss-EU funding row “in sight”

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Iran president’s comments “self-serving”

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Deiss finds safety in numbers in Hong Kong

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Parliament divided over Swisscom privatisation

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War of words with Tunis heats up

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Emblem deal earns Swiss top marks for effort

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Golden windfall for state pension scheme

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Red crystal tests Swiss diplomacy

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