Swiss Politics

Support for EU labour accord beats expectations

This content was published on Sep 25, 2005 The result was clearer than expected and represents a victory for the government. German- and French-speaking areas of the country voted “yes”, while Italian-speaking Ticino said “no”. Just seven of the 26 cantons said “no” to opening up the labour market, mainly those in the conservative heartland of central Switzerland. Approval of the accord was…

Swiss Politics

Swiss “yes” to EU accord beats expectations

This content was published on Sep 25, 2005 The result was clearer than expected, and represents a victory for the government. German- and French-speaking areas of the country voted “yes”, while Italian-speaking Ticino said “no”. Only seven of the country’s 26 cantons said no to extending the free movement of people accord, including the southern canton of Ticino. Approval of the accord was…

Swiss Politics

Swiss say a clear “yes” to EU labour accord

This content was published on Sep 25, 2005 Final results showed both the German- and French-speaking areas of the country had approved the treaty in voting on Sunday, while the Italian part said “no”. Only seven of the country’s 26 cantons said “no” to extending the free movement of people accord, including the Italian-speaking Ticino region. Approval of the accord was particularly strong…

Swiss Politics

Swiss have voted on cementing EU ties

This content was published on Sep 24, 2005 Latest opinion polls predicted a close race between the “yes” and “no” camps in the second ballot this year on relations with Brussels. Supporters say extension of the treaty will lead to economic growth, while opponents argue it would open the doors to a flood of immigrants. Bern and Brussels concluded a first set of…

Swiss Politics

Brussels awaits outcome of Swiss labour vote

This content was published on Sep 24, 2005 Sunday’s ballot on extending the Swiss labour market to the new European Union members is crucial for bilateral relations between Bern and Brussels. The vote in Switzerland has not really been a topic of conversation in the corridors of power in Brussels. Unlike the referendums on the EU constitution only experts on Switzerland, such as…

Swiss Politics

Zurich rules out signing surgery convention

This content was published on Sep 22, 2005 The Zurich government indicated on Thursday that it would not back down from its demand to concentrate surgery such as transplant operations in Zurich and Geneva. Zurich’s health director, Verena Diener, said the “network strategy” preferred by several cantons would weaken research and was bad for the economy. “If top-level surgery is carried out in…

Swiss Politics

Senate rejects uniform child benefit

This content was published on Sep 21, 2005 The speaker of the Senate was called on to cast the deciding vote on a long-standing proposal, which now goes back to the House of Representatives for further debate. All 26 Swiss cantons pay out child benefit, but the sum differs widely from canton to canton. Parents in canton Aargau receive SFr150 per child per…

Swiss Politics

Geneva and UN need to get closer

This content was published on Sep 20, 2005 Since the creation of the United Nations 60 years ago, Switzerland has benefited from the presence of the organisation’s European headquarters in the city. The UN’s 60th General Assembly is currently underway at its headquarters in downtown New York. In Geneva, which hosts the UN’s specialist and operational agencies, celebrations are seeking to bring the…

Swiss Politics

Calmy-Rey calls for human rights council

This content was published on Sep 20, 2005 She also announced that Switzerland intends to present a draft resolution to the plenary assembly in New York on ways to reform the Security Council. “The UN is of great importance for Swiss foreign policy,” Calmy-Rey told swissinfo, adding that a lot rests on increasing the organisation’s credibility. Calmy-Rey said that in the three years…

Swiss Politics

Swiss business fears German power vacuum

This content was published on Sep 19, 2005 They also warn of the consequences for the Swiss economy if the next German government does not pick up the pace of reform. Both Gerhard Schröder of the ruling Social Democratic Party and opposition candidate Angela Merkel from the Christian Democratic Union have claimed victory in the polls. But neither politician has won enough seats…

Swiss Politics

Popular Stories

Most Discussed

Sign in and personalize Swissinfo

Swiss Politics

More

Support for EU labour accord beats expectations

More

Swiss “yes” to EU accord beats expectations

More

Swiss say a clear “yes” to EU labour accord

More

Swiss have voted on cementing EU ties

More

Brussels awaits outcome of Swiss labour vote

More

Zurich rules out signing surgery convention

More

Senate rejects uniform child benefit

More

Geneva and UN need to get closer

More

Calmy-Rey calls for human rights council

More

Swiss business fears German power vacuum

Popular Stories

Most Discussed