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Swiss Politics

Voters decide on citizenship and maternity benefit

This content was published on Sep 23, 2004 The proposals, which are opposed by the rightwing Swiss People’s Party, would bring Switzerland in line with other western European countries. The government, parliament and three of the four main political parties want to make it easier for young foreigners to become Swiss citizens. The proposal envisages speeding up the naturalisation procedure for people aged…

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Swiss Politics

Swiss abroad get a voice in parliament

This content was published on Sep 22, 2004 Some 83 politicians from all the main parties formed the group to ensure that the 600,000-strong Swiss abroad community is given a voice in parliament. The Swiss have long been accustomed to forming groups across party lines to represent their interests in parliament. Farmers, for example, constitute a major lobby, and benefit from some of…

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Swiss Politics

Quotas could help businesswomen to the top

This content was published on Sep 22, 2004 This week parliament is to vote on an initiative calling for minimum quotas for women on the management boards of companies part-owned by the government. The initiative was proposed by Social Democrat parliamentarian Barbara Haering, who wants to see quotas enshrined in company law. “In the case of a firm in which the Swiss government…

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Swiss Politics

Deiss calls for reform of UN Security Council

This content was published on Sep 21, 2004 Deiss said the Iraq crisis had shown that the structures currently in place at the world body were “no longer appropriate” and it was time to act. He was speaking at the General Assembly in New York following an address by United States President George W. Bush. Deiss told journalists he was disappointed by Bush’s…

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Swiss Politics

Cantons count the cost of online voting

This content was published on Sep 20, 2004 But critics of the electronic voting pilot project say that it offers no real advantages and is a waste of money. Voters in Anières, Cologny, Carouge and Meyrin will become the first in the country to be given the option to register their votes online. Like the rest of the Swiss electorate, they are being…

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Swiss Politics

Fourth time lucky for working mothers?

This content was published on Sep 20, 2004 Rightwing politicians have forced a vote on a parliamentary decision to implement a nationwide scheme. The public will have its say on September 26. Under the new slimmed-down proposal, approved by parliament, gainfully employed women would be entitled to 14-weeks’ paid maternity leave. It is the fourth time in recent Swiss history that voters have…

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Swiss Politics

Voters to decide who should be Swiss

This content was published on Sep 18, 2004 The rightwing Swiss People’s Party opposes proposals, approved by parliament, aimed at easing restrictions for foreigners who meet certain conditions. The debate in the run-up to the nationwide vote has focused on the integration of young foreigners in Switzerland and the government’s immigration policy. However, the issue of whether citizenship applications should be decided in…

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Swiss Politics

Swiss see mediation role as key to success in UN

This content was published on Sep 15, 2004 In an interview with swissinfo, Peter Maurer says the world body in New York is also a source of inspiration for domestic politics. Maurer, who took over from Jenö Staehelin at the beginning of September, is focusing on the current session of the UN General Assembly as well as on work at committee level. Among…

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Swiss Politics

Opponents narrow the gap ahead of vote

This content was published on Sep 15, 2004 But the latest opinion poll shows that opponents have been narrowing the gap in the run-up to the nationwide vote on September 26. The survey, conducted by the GfS Bern polling and research institute on behalf of the Swiss Broadcasting Corporation, found that the number of those opposed to the initiatives had grown. “It shows…

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Swiss Politics

Fame and fortune are passports to citizenship

This content was published on Sep 14, 2004 But the obstacles facing ordinary people don’t seem to apply to the rich and famous. When the Swiss football team took the field at this summer’s European Championships in Portugal, the stands were packed with cheering fans, united in a sea of patriotism. Their heroes included players such as Bernt Haas, Johann Vogel and Stéphane…

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