Swiss Politics

Swiss welcome United Nations reform plan

This content was published on Jun 3, 2005 The plan contains several suggestions from Switzerland, including the creation of a Human Rights Council and increased rights for non-members of the Security Council. UN Secretary General, Kofi Annan, said in March that he wanted to improve efficiency, transparency and coordination within the UN. His proposals include the enlargement of the Security Council and improvements…

Swiss Politics

Swiss army targets tourists

This content was published on Jun 1, 2005 swissinfo’s journey begins at the Swiss Army Museum Collection in Thun and moves on to a sleepy alpine village, home to a former top-secret bunker. Several halls are needed to house the vast collection of colourful uniforms, old helmets and marching-band tubas, Centurion battle tanks and worn out boots. There are even a few of…

Ballots affect chances of citizenship

This content was published on May 31, 2005 Experts also found that the presence of the rightwing Swiss People’s Party in local politics has an impact on citizenship votes. The report comes after controversy over some of the methods used by communes to decide whether or not to grant a Swiss passport. In Switzerland the citizenship process is based on approval by the…

Swiss Politics

Likely yes to same-sex partnerships

This content was published on May 31, 2005 The electorate was also deciding on whether the country should increase security and asylum cooperation with the European Union. It is not yet clear how that vote went. The GfS research institute said that trends indicated 60 per cent approval for the gay-rights proposal. Bern-based GfS, which analyses polling data on behalf of the Swiss…

Swiss Politics

Will French rebuff influence Swiss voters?

This content was published on May 30, 2005 Proponents of justice and asylum cooperation with the European Union stress the advantages of the bilateral approach, while opponents hope the French rejection will tip the scales in their favour. The views range from seeing the French “no” as bolstering the case against closer ties with the EU or having no effect whatsoever on the…

Swiss Politics

Press warn French “no” will weaken EU

This content was published on May 30, 2005 The commentaries highlight the uncertain future of the European Union and fear that it could lose its dynamism. “France at crossroads”, “France slams doors shut”, “Lesson for leaders”, “Second French Revolution”, “Asterix says No!’ – these are some of the headlines in Swiss newspapers following the solid rejection of the EU constitution by French voters.…

Swiss Politics

Geneva remembers turning point in Cold War

This content was published on May 30, 2005 To mark the anniversary, Edouard Brunner attended a roundtable discussion, along with former Soviet premier Gorbachev, on Monday. As secretary of state for foreign affairs in the 1980s, Brunner was asked by the United States to organise the historic summit. It took place from November 19-21, 1985. At the time relations between the two superpowers…

Swiss Politics

Final countdown to Schengen vote begins

This content was published on May 29, 2005 Those for and against have started their final push before next Sunday’s nationwide vote. One issue that provoked strong reactions in the weekend press was the latest series of controversial posters launched last week by the “no” camp, which is headed by the rightwing Swiss People’s Party and the isolationist Campaign for an Independent and…

Swiss Politics

Swiss disappointed by nuclear-arms conference

This content was published on May 28, 2005 The head of the Swiss delegation, Jürg Streuli, said that the failure was due to an “unholy alliance” between nuclear powers and developing countries. Delegates from 188 nations – including Switzerland – had been meeting at the UN’s headquarters in New York for a month for talks on the NPT. The treaty, signed in 1970,…

Swiss Politics

Social Democrats want end to conscription

This content was published on May 27, 2005 The centre-left Social Democrats want to see the armed forces cut from 220,000 to 50,000 and more emphasis placed on peacekeeping missions abroad. The Social Democrats said a force comprising 12,000 professional soldiers and 38,000 volunteers would be sufficient to maintain Switzerland’s security. Under the Swiss constitution, every able-bodied man has to serve in the…

Swiss Politics

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Swiss Politics

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Swiss welcome United Nations reform plan

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Swiss army targets tourists

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Ballots affect chances of citizenship

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Likely yes to same-sex partnerships

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Will French rebuff influence Swiss voters?

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Press warn French “no” will weaken EU

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Geneva remembers turning point in Cold War

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Final countdown to Schengen vote begins

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Swiss disappointed by nuclear-arms conference

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Social Democrats want end to conscription

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