Swiss Politics

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

Swiss back UN plans for rebuilding nations

This content was published on May 27, 2005 Michael Ambühl, state secretary for foreign affairs, told the UN Security Council on Thursday that the Swiss were in favour of a new body to coordinate peace and reconstruction efforts. Meeting in New York, the Security Council “acknowledged that serious attention to the longer-term process of peacebuilding was critically important, and that adequate support for…

Swiss Politics

Backing for Schengen/Dublin begins to slide

This content was published on May 25, 2005 But most Swiss are still in favour of adhering to the treaties, according to a fifth and final poll on the issue. It finds that 55 per cent would vote “yes” if the ballot were held today. The poll, carried out for the Swiss Broadcasting Corporation by the Bern-based Gfs Institute, also showed that Swiss…

Swiss Politics

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Swiss Politics

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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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Swiss back UN plans for rebuilding nations

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Backing for Schengen/Dublin begins to slide

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