Swiss Politics

Cracks emerge in “special relationship”

This content was published on Mar 16, 2004 Switzerland’s former ambassador to Germany told swissinfo that relations between the two countries have changed dramatically in recent years. According to Thomas Borer-Fielding, Germany has traditionally defended Switzerland’s interests in Brussels. But he says Berlin is no longer prepared to look out for its small neighbour, which insists on staying out of the EU. Germany’s…

Swiss Politics

German-Swiss relations go down hill

This content was published on Mar 15, 2004 Normally well represented at the annual race in the Bernese Oberland resort of Adelboden, the Germans were conspicuous by their absence. The event was organised by Swiss-based EP Sport, whose company motto, “when sports connect politics”, rang hollow on Saturday since only two German politicians showed up. Relations between the two countries took a dive…

Swiss Politics

Social Democrats look to broaden support

This content was published on Mar 13, 2004 He told swissinfo that the party aimed to become the country’s main political force at the next parliamentary elections in 2007. Fehr, who has almost 30 years of service at all levels within the centre-left Social Democrats, was chosen as the party’s new president just a week ago. The leaders of the other three parties…

Swiss Politics

Germany takes steps to ease border chaos

This content was published on Mar 11, 2004 But Berlin said it had no intention of lifting the stringent controls it imposed last week, which caused long tailbacks on the Swiss side of the frontier. “Traffic jams along the motorway have eased but there’s a lot of congestion at the smaller border crossings,” said Patrick Gantenbein, a spokesman for Basel’s border authorities. Gantenbein…

Swiss Politics

Germany eases controls at Swiss border

This content was published on Mar 10, 2004 The decision came hours after the economics minister, Joseph Deiss, warned of deteriorating relations between Switzerland and its EU neighbours. Strict checks on people and vehicles entering Germany from Switzerland – introduced without warning on Friday – led to traffic jams several kilometres long on the Swiss side of the border. “Border controls are back…

Swiss Politics

Swiss women fired up on Women’s Day

This content was published on Mar 8, 2004 This year’s International Women’s Day was marked with more fervour than usual, after last year’s cabinet elections left only one woman in government. Justice Minister Ruth Metzler was ousted from the cabinet in December, to be replaced by the rightwing politician, Christoph Blocher. The foreign minister, Micheline Calmy-Rey, is now the only woman in the…

Swiss Politics

Swiss aim to promote peace in Sri Lanka

This content was published on Mar 1, 2004 A parliamentary delegation said it was crucial to promote human rights and political reform in a country which is trying to leave behind nearly two decades of civil war. Members of the cross-party group toured a number of Swiss-run aid projects while on a recent fact-finding mission in Sri Lanka. “Everyone we met wanted peace…

Swiss Politics

Women to keep vigil outside parliament

This content was published on Feb 29, 2004 “Women’s Vigil” aims to have at least one woman permanently on site until December 10 – the one-year anniversary of the cabinet elections. The protest is the brainchild of Yvette Barbier, a doctor from Lausanne, who was spurred into action by the election result which saw Ruth Metzler of the centre-right Christian Democrats ousted from…

Swiss Politics

Briton demystifies Swiss politics

This content was published on Feb 28, 2004 “The Politics and Government of Switzerland” seeks to destroy the illusion of a sleepy alpine nation where very little happens. Church – a retired professor of politics and international relations at the University of Kent in England – has written extensively on Switzerland’s history, democracy and relations with the European Union since the 1970s. Church…

Swiss Politics

Swiss work towards Cyprus reunification

This content was published on Feb 24, 2004 They will be advising both sides during negotiations on a United Nations-backed reunification plan, based on the Swiss model of federalism. The Swiss foreign ministry said in a statement on Tuesday that the team had been sent to Cyprus to support the reunification talks, and expected to complete its mission by the end of March.…

Swiss Politics

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Swiss Politics

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Cracks emerge in “special relationship”

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German-Swiss relations go down hill

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Social Democrats look to broaden support

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Germany takes steps to ease border chaos

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Germany eases controls at Swiss border

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Swiss women fired up on Women’s Day

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Swiss aim to promote peace in Sri Lanka

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Women to keep vigil outside parliament

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Briton demystifies Swiss politics

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Swiss work towards Cyprus reunification

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