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…

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…

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…

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…

Swiss Politics

Switzerland sends aid to Beslan victims

This content was published on Sep 10, 2004 More than 320 people died and hundreds were injured when a siege at a school ended in bloodshed. The Swiss Agency for Development and Cooperation (SDC) said on Friday that it was releasing SFr300,000 ($239,000). It follows a request for assistance from two Swiss surgeons who have been working since Wednesday in hospitals in Beslan.…

Swiss Politics

Fact-finding team heads to the West Bank

This content was published on Sep 10, 2004 The fact-finding trip was organised by the Palestinian Authority’s representative in Switzerland, and includes a meeting with Palestinian leader Yasser Arafat. The 12-strong delegation will divide their time between the West Bank and the Gaza Strip, where they hope to hear from ordinary people about life under the Israeli occupation. “The idea is that they…

Swiss Politics

UN membership boosts Switzerland’s standing

This content was published on Sep 9, 2004 They believe UN membership has helped to raise the country’s profile on the international stage since it joined the world body exactly two years ago. “Unfortunately there is not a majority in parliament in favour of playing a bigger role within the UN and allocating more funding,” said Liliane Maury Pasquier, a centre-left Social Democratic…

Swiss Politics

Cities reject plans to tighten asylum laws

This content was published on Sep 7, 2004 At a conference on Tuesday, they argued that politicians should be focusing on helping asylum seekers to integrate into society. Around 100 representatives of towns and cities across the country attended the one-day conference on asylum, which was organised by the city of Zurich. Monika Stocker, an official in charge of social welfare issues in…

Swiss Politics

Fighting hampers Swiss aid projects in Nepal

This content was published on Sep 7, 2004 Riots broke out a week ago in the capital, Kathmandu, after 12 Nepalese workers were executed in Iraq. At least two people died in the outbreak of fighting in the city. On Tuesday three bombs exploded in the heart of the capital outside a luxury hotel. No one was injured. The latest unrest comes as…

Swiss Politics

Switzerland reaffirms support for Geneva Accord

This content was published on Sep 6, 2004 The so-called Geneva Accord, which was launched last December, has received logistical and financial support from Switzerland. “With the Geneva Accord… civil society has been able to prove that there are partners for peace on both sides [of the conflict],” said Calmy-Rey during a one-day conference in Bern on peace efforts in the Middle East.…

Swiss Politics

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