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Swiss Politics

Poll predicts good result for foreigners and mothers

This content was published on Aug 20, 2004 An initial poll commissioned by the Swiss Broadcasting Corporation shows that rightwing opponents are failing to convince the public. The GfS Bern polling and research institute said a majority of voters appeared to be in favour of making it easier for second and third generation foreigners to acquire Swiss citizenship. Some 75 per cent of…

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Swiss Politics

Government defends post office closures

This content was published on Aug 17, 2004 It said the costs of maintaining the current postal network were too high, but Communications Minister Moritz Leuenberger guaranteed to ensure a decent level of service. The people’s initiative, which is due to go to a nationwide vote on September 26, has been put forward by an alliance made up of a trade union, a…

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Swiss youth act to make the world a better place

This content was published on Aug 11, 2004 Details of the national project, which is expected to involve more than 10,000 youngsters, were revealed ahead of the United Nations International Youth Day on Thursday. The Swiss Council of Youth Associations said the 72-hour initiative would run from September 15 to 18, 2005, and would focus on small-scale projects to benefit communities across the…

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Swiss Politics

Diplomat heads delicate Swiss mission in Tehran

This content was published on Aug 10, 2004 In his first interview since taking up office in July, Philippe Welti told swissinfo about the challenge of leading one of Switzerland’s most high-profile diplomatic missions. Welti officially presented his credentials to the Iranian president, Mohammad Khatami, at a ceremony in Tehran on August 2. The start of his tenure comes at a sensitive time…

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Swiss Politics

Debate heats up over Swiss army system

This content was published on Aug 5, 2004 Schmid broke a taboo by suggesting that the militia system could one day be scrapped. He said that budgetary pressures meant that further reforms to the army could not be ruled out. This is a view shared by the centre-left Social Democrat parliamentarian, Barbara Haering, who told swissinfo that debate over the future of the…

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Swiss Politics

Militia tradition challenged by defence minister

This content was published on Aug 4, 2004 The cabinet is expected to address the issue next month as part of discussions about further reform of the armed services. Schmid told Swiss radio on Tuesday that changes in the army’s structure could not be ruled out because of budget cuts. “We have to be prepared to think the unthinkable,” he warned. The defence…

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Swiss Politics

Deiss calls on Swiss abroad to set example

This content was published on Aug 3, 2004 In his speech to mark the country’s National Day, Deiss described expats as positive symbols of globalisation and an example for all Swiss. Deiss used the speech, which is traditionally given on August 1 to celebrate the founding of Switzerland, to urge the country to break free of its isolation and become more competitive. “There…

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Swiss Politics

Swiss urged to pull together on National Day

This content was published on Aug 1, 2004 The president, Joseph Deiss, called on the Swiss to preserve national unity while reaching out to the rest of the world. Deiss said bilateral agreements with the European Union were vital to preserve Switzerland’s relationship with the rest of Europe, and that the Swiss should move quickly to enforce them and embrace competition. Negotiations on…

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Swiss Politics

Switzerland sees marked decline in asylum seekers

This content was published on Jul 28, 2004 The Federal Refugee Office attributes the drop to measures taken in recent years and a general decline in asylum requests across Europe. Figures out on Wednesday come just a day after the United Nations refugee agency told Switzerland that it was “seriously concerned” about plans to tighten the country’s asylum policy. The Geneva-based UNHCR said…

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Swiss Politics

Scandal raises questions over political funding

This content was published on Jul 16, 2004 Opinions are divided over how parties should be funded and whether parliamentarians should be obliged to declare the sources of donations. Switzerland’s tradition of service to the community extends to its parliamentarians, who do not give up their jobs when they take up their seats – unlike in many other countries. Although they receive some…

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