Swiss Politics

Tactics come into play in cabinet elections

This content was published on Dec 10, 2003 The parties in parliament could try to alter the course of proceedings, should candidates unexpectedly drop out. Every four years, just after the parliamentary elections, cabinet ministers wishing to remain in office need to have their mandate renewed by parliament. Both houses – the House of Representatives and the Senate, which total 246 members –…

Swiss Politics

World leaders share vision of information society

This content was published on Dec 9, 2003 More than 50 heads of state or government are expected to attend the United Nations gathering, which aims to bridge the digital divide. Thousands of representatives of civil society, the private sector and international organizations are also expected to take part in the summit discussions and side events. Warm welcome Tuesday’s ceremony was full of…

Swiss Politics

Negotiators clear last summit hurdle

This content was published on Dec 9, 2003 The eleventh hour deal clears the way for a draft plan of action and declaration to be presented to world leaders on Wednesday. Following more than four days of intense, closed-door discussions in Geneva, delegates from more than 150 countries finally overcame the last stumbling block on Tuesday. At stake was a proposal by African…

Swiss Politics

Swiss hold out hope for summit success

This content was published on Dec 9, 2003 Delegates have managed to agree on most of the key sticking points to be tackled at the United Nations gathering, which kicks off on Wednesday in Geneva. But they remain divided over the issue of who will pay for the development of information and communication infrastructures in poor countries. Following a weekend of intense, closed-door…

Swiss Politics

Unknown territory

This content was published on Dec 5, 2003 On December 10, parliament handed a cabinet seat to Christoph Blocher – the figurehead of the rightwing Swiss People’s Party. Blocher’s election alters the balance of power in government.The big losers are the Christian Democrats, who now have just one minister in government compared with two for each of the other main parties. They have…

Summit stakes are high for the Swiss

This content was published on Dec 5, 2003 Switzerland – the event’s host country – has been responsible for organising security, as well as rallying worldwide support for the summit objectives. The broad aim of the three-day meeting is to come up with an action plan to bridge the digital divide and provide equal and affordable access to information for all people of…

Swiss Politics

Geneva hosts revolutionary summit

This content was published on Dec 5, 2003 In an unprecedented move, the Geneva conference will open up its doors to representatives of non-governmental organisations (NGOs), civil society and the private sector. “Until now, the United Nations dealt only with governments,” said the UN’s secretary-general, Kofi Annan. “But today, we recognise that peace and prosperity cannot be realised without the contributions of governments,…

Swiss Politics

Radicals offer a choice of two candidates

This content was published on Dec 4, 2003 Which one is elected could hinge on the rightwing Swiss People’s Party’s bid for a second seat. Hans-Rudolf Merz and Christine Beerli are the two official Radical Party nominees. They represent both wings of the party, according to political analyst Emanuel von Erlach, and should provide parliamentarians with enough choice when they vote on Villiger’s…

Swiss Politics

Cabinet vote challenges government make-up

This content was published on Dec 4, 2003 But analysts do not believe a change would sound the death knell for the Swiss power-sharing system, known as the “Magic Formula”. Since 1959, the Magic Formula system has shared out the seven cabinet seats among Switzerland’s four main political parties according to their electoral strength at the time. But immediately after October’s parliamentary elections…

Swiss Politics

Parliament mounts defence of banking secrecy

This content was published on Dec 3, 2003 The proposals – which now have to go before parliamentary committee – are being seen as a symbolic stand against European Union interference. In recent years Bern has come under increasing pressure from Brussels to exchange information on bank accounts held in Switzerland by EU residents. Earlier this year, both sides agreed to a compromise…

Swiss Politics

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