Swiss Politics

Backing for EU labour accord drops

This content was published on Aug 28, 2005 A poll published on Sunday found just 42 per cent would vote “yes” in September’s vote on the issue. This is down from the 49 per cent revealed in another survey almost ten days ago. Voters are due to cast their ballots on September 25 on whether to extend the free movement of people to…

Swiss Politics

Cities call for changes to asylum policy

This content was published on Aug 26, 2005 At the same time the mayor of Zurich, Elmar Ledergerber, spoke out in favour of a less restrictive migration policy that would allow the job market to recruit workers from non-European countries. At a conference on asylum and migration on Friday representatives of the country’s towns and cities called on the government to cover all…

Swiss Politics

Labour treaty dampens Europhile fervour

This content was published on Aug 25, 2005 Voters in Geneva – Switzerland’s most pro-European Union canton – have become decidedly less keen on closer ties with Brussels, if public discourse is anything to go by. A few months ago the thought of Geneva voting no on September 25 was almost unimaginable – no one could conceive that the most pro-Europe of Switzerland’s…

Swiss Politics

Swiss left wondering about vote impact

This content was published on Aug 25, 2005 The indications are that the EU will be reluctant to accept a rejection of the treaty in the referendum called by rightwing parties. In June the EU foreign affairs commissioner, Benita Ferrero-Waldner, caused an outcry when she intimated that Switzerland could not join the European passport-free zone unless Swiss voters approve the labour deal. Supporters…

Swiss Politics

Sale of Iraq-bound tanks hangs in the balance

This content was published on Aug 24, 2005 That means that the controversial sale of the used vehicles remains in the balance, awaiting guarantees that they are to be used for civilian purposes only. At its weekly meeting in Bern, the government reviewed its earlier position at the request of the economics ministry, which is responsible for the sale. Government spokesman Oswald Sigg…

Swiss Politics

Splinter group leads fight against labour deal

This content was published on Aug 22, 2005 Some see the nationalist splinter party, led by parliamentarian Bernhard Hess, as a front for other rightwing groups. A small office on the outskirts of the capital, Bern is the headquarters from where Hess is devising the party’s campaign ahead of the September ballot. The desktops and floor are cluttered with stacks of plastic stickers…

Swiss Politics

Backers of EU labour accord win ground

This content was published on Aug 19, 2005 A poll by the GfS institute, commissioned by the Swiss Broadcasting Corporation, found 49 per cent of Swiss voters in favour of extending the EU accord and 36 per cent against. The penultimate survey before the September 25 vote shows support up six percentage points compared with a poll conducted in July. Opponents lost four…

Swiss Politics

Government condemns extremist disturbances

This content was published on Aug 17, 2005 The president, Samuel Schmid, and the justice minister, Christoph Blocher, were both targets of hecklers at different gatherings on August 1. Around 700 far-right militants heckled the president during his speech on the Rütli Meadow near Lucerne, known as the cradle of Switzerland. Rightwing groups accounted for more than a third of all those in…

Swiss Politics

Young Swiss Abroad visit parliament

This content was published on Aug 16, 2005 The youngsters from around the world are attending summer camps in Switzerland for young Swiss living abroad. The role of welcoming the eight- to 14-year-olds traditionally falls to the president, but Samuel Schmid was busy defending his decision to a parliamentary committee to sell tanks to Iraq. Huber-Hotz, who was celebrating her birthday, jumped in…

Swiss Politics

ICRC prepares for Israeli pull-out

This content was published on Aug 13, 2005 Nevertheless it is busy preparing to help Palestinian victims during and after Israel’s withdrawal of settlers and soldiers this week. “We’re monitoring this disengagement plan from the Israeli side of the Gaza Strip closely,” Iyad Naser, ICRC spokesman in Gaza, told swissinfo. “Once the security situation improves we hope we can return to normal,” he…

Swiss Politics

Popular Stories

Most Discussed

Swiss Politics

More

Backing for EU labour accord drops

More

Cities call for changes to asylum policy

More

Labour treaty dampens Europhile fervour

More

Swiss left wondering about vote impact

More

Sale of Iraq-bound tanks hangs in the balance

More

Splinter group leads fight against labour deal

More

Backers of EU labour accord win ground

More

Government condemns extremist disturbances

More

Young Swiss Abroad visit parliament

More

ICRC prepares for Israeli pull-out

Popular Stories

Most Discussed