Swiss Politics

Centre-left recaptures lost political ground

This content was published on May 16, 2004 The Social Democrats and trade unions welcomed the overwhelming rejection of parliament’s plans to cut old-age pension benefits and introduce a package of tax cuts. Sunday’s ballot-box verdict comes one year after the Social Democrats lost several major nationwide votes. But Emanuel von Erlach, a political scientist at Bern University, says the rejection of this…

Swiss Politics

Government handed triple defeat by voters

This content was published on May 16, 2004 The outcome is a blow to the government and parliament, which put forward all three proposals. It is the second time this year that Switzerland’s political establishment has suffered a triple defeat at the ballot box. None of the votes in February on transport, rent and justice issues went the government’s way. Final results on…

Swiss Politics

Voters hit government with triple whammy

This content was published on May 16, 2004 The outcome is a heavy blow for the government and parliament, which put forward all three proposals. The increase in VAT was rejected by 68.6 per cent of voters, the tax breaks by 65.9 per cent and pension reforms by 67.9 per cent. Turnout was 50.1 per cent. It is the second time in six…

Swiss Politics

Swiss vote on tax and pensions

This content was published on May 16, 2004 The first projections – based on exit polls conducted by the GfS research institute – are expected at 1pm. The campaign ahead of Sunday’s nationwide votes has been dubbed a key political battle between Switzerland’s centre-right parties and the Centre-left. During their campaigns both sides described the polls as a vote of confidence in the…

Swiss Politics

Army rifles remain racked at home

This content was published on May 15, 2004 Despite the use of an army-issue rifle in a massacre in a local Swiss parliament in 2001, the defence ministry says it will maintain the practice. “Everybody who has served in the army is allowed to keep their personal weapon, even after the end of their military service,” the defence ministry said in a statement.…

Swiss Politics

Centre-right faces test at the ballot box

This content was published on May 15, 2004 Centre-left groups have mounted fierce opposition to the plans put forward by parliament and the government. The campaign ahead of the May 16 nationwide votes has been dubbed a key political battle between Switzerland’s centre-right parties and the Centre-left. Emanuel von Erlach, a political scientist at Bern University, says the battle between Left and Right…

Swiss Politics

EU agrees guarantees over Swiss banking secrecy

This content was published on May 13, 2004 Ministerial level negotiations between Switzerland and the EU will now take place next Wednesday to finalise a series of agreements after years of wrangling. Non-member Switzerland had refused to sign a dossier on taxation until the EU agreed to give Bern an exemption on part of another treaty – Schengen – to protect banking secrecy.…

Swiss Politics

EU agrees to guarantee Swiss banking secrecy

This content was published on May 13, 2004 Ministerial level negotiations between Switzerland and the EU will now take place next Wednesday to finalise a series of agreements after years of wrangling. Non-member Switzerland had refused to sign the taxation dossier until the EU agreed to give Bern an exemption on part of another treaty – Schengen – to protect banking secrecy. “We…

Swiss Politics

Parliament takes steps to tighten immigration

This content was published on May 7, 2004 Under the proposed legislation foreigners from outside the European Union will only be allowed to take up jobs if no Swiss candidates are available. Despite opposition from the centre-left Social Democrats, the House of Representatives voted in favour of giving priority to EU and European Free Trade Association (Efta) citizens who seek employment in Switzerland.…

Swiss Politics

Voters set to deal triple blow

This content was published on May 5, 2004 An opinion poll commissioned by the Swiss Broadcasting Corporation has found a clear majority poised to vote down proposals at the ballot box on May 16. The results, published on Wednesday, show 56 per cent of voters are against a package of tax cuts, mainly for families, property owners and shareholders. Only 23 per cent…

Swiss Politics

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Centre-left recaptures lost political ground

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Government handed triple defeat by voters

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Voters hit government with triple whammy

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Swiss vote on tax and pensions

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Army rifles remain racked at home

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Centre-right faces test at the ballot box

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EU agrees guarantees over Swiss banking secrecy

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EU agrees to guarantee Swiss banking secrecy

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Parliament takes steps to tighten immigration

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Voters set to deal triple blow

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