Swiss Politics

Blocher wins seat in cabinet

This content was published on Dec 10, 2003 By a narrow majority of five parliamentary votes, Blocher successfully unseated the Christian Democrat justice minister, Ruth Metzler. Every four years, shortly after the parliamentary elections, cabinet ministers need to have their mandate renewed by parliament. They normally have little trouble being re-elected, but after its gains in October’s parliamentary elections, the People’s Party renewed…

Blocher wins seat in cabinet

This content was published on Dec 10, 2003 The People’s Party, which became the biggest group after October’s parliamentary elections, had threatened to go into opposition if Blocher was not elected.

Couchepin confirmed

This content was published on Dec 10, 2003 Couchepin, who joined the cabinet in 1998, has held the rotating post of Swiss president this year.

Leuenberger re-elected

This content was published on Dec 10, 2003 He is the longest serving member in the government. The rightwing People’s Party had said it would support Leuenberger, a member of the centre-left Social Democrats. But it plans to try and unseat other ministers in later rounds of voting, in a bid to secure a second cabinet seat for itself.

Villiger’s farewell

This content was published on Dec 10, 2003 He was speaking during his farewell address to parliament as it gets ready to elect a new seven-member cabinet.

Cabinet elections underway

This content was published on Dec 10, 2003 At stake is whether the informal power-sharing agreement between the main political parties will remain in place.

From pygmy to giant in a decade

This content was published on Dec 10, 2003 Once a party of farmers, it has gone from being the smallest in government to the largest in just eight years. The People’s Party first entered government in 1929, when its predecessor, the Party of Farmers, Tradesmen and Citizens secured one seat at the expense of the Radicals. It remained the smallest of the four…

Swiss Politics

Parliament gathers for cabinet elections

This content was published on Dec 10, 2003 The main political parties are fighting for seats in the seven-member cabinet.

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

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