Swiss Politics

Switzerland sees technology as key to democracy

This content was published on Jul 8, 2003 Speaking at a conference on e-Government, Communications Minister Moritz Leuenberger said modern technology was an important tool for democracy. “Information technology should be actively used to promote the development of democracy. It does not belong to a museum,” Leuenberger told the European Union’s Ministerial Conference in northern Italy. Speaking to 1,000 delegates from 47 countries,…

Swiss Politics

Left targets Centre as election battle commences

This content was published on Jul 7, 2003 The centre-left party started a billboard campaign on Monday, accusing the economics minister, Joseph Deiss, of not doing enough for the unemployed. In a move possibly unprecedented in Swiss politics, the Social Democrats lashed out at Christian Democrat Deiss with a poster campaign aimed at forcing him out of the cabinet. Their suggested aim is…

Swiss Politics

Zurich calls for solidarity over airport

This content was published on Jul 4, 2003 In a faxed letter to the media, Zurich’s government accused papers of displaying “malignant joy” in recent coverage of the noise pollution row at Zurich airport. The airport is involved in a long-running dispute with Germany, which wants to sharply reduce the number of planes flying into Zurich via German airspace. But it seems not…

Swiss Politics

Non-EU citizens face travel obstacles

This content was published on Jul 3, 2003 A Swiss delegation is heading to Brussels on Tuesday to demand that the requirement be lifted. Under the Schengen accord, many non-EU citizens will require a visa to enter any of the 15 signatory countries. The restrictions do not apply to nationals of countries which already have visa-free access to the Schengen bloc, such as…

Swiss Politics

Ministers pack their bags for the Valais

This content was published on Jul 3, 2003 On Thursday the seven-strong team set off on their annual trip, hosted this year in canton Valais by Pascal Couchepin. Every year the incumbent president invites cabinet colleagues on a two-day break to his or her home region. This year it was the turn of Couchepin, and the five wise men and two equally wise…

Swiss Politics

Fraud poses obstacle for Schengen deal

This content was published on Jul 1, 2003 But both parties have still to agree on a common policy for tackling tax fraud, which the Swiss fear could threaten banking secrecy. The negotiations, which began in July 2002, are aimed at giving Switzerland access to the Schengen and Dublin agreements. The two accords are designed to reinforce security within the Union and its…

Swiss Politics

Magic Formula comes under attack

This content was published on Jul 1, 2003 The party’s president, Christiane Brunner, says she is in favour of allocating a second cabinet seat to the rightwing Swiss People’s Party. Such a move would alter the so-called “Magic Formula” – a power-sharing agreement between the country’s four major political parties. The Social Democrats, who are the only left-of-centre party in government, now claim…

Swiss Politics

Arts’ backers join forces to secure future

This content was published on Jun 30, 2003 In an unusual show of unity, the arts council, Pro Helvetia, and the Federal Office for Culture held a joint press conference on Monday to put forward their case. The two institutions, often seen as competitors, hope that by presenting a united front they will persuade parliament to clarify their roles relative to each other.…

Swiss Politics

Reconstruction tops agenda during Karzai visit

This content was published on Jun 27, 2003 Discussions focused on rebuilding the country, where Swiss aid organisations have recently expressed concern over escalating violence. Karzai met the 2003 Swiss president, Pascal Couchepin, and foreign minister Micheline Calmy-Rey. At a press conference after the talks, Karzai said his country was grateful for the contribution Switzerland had made to Afghanistan and its people. “Switzerland…

Swiss Politics

Congo prepares to face up to the truth

This content was published on Jun 27, 2003 swissinfo spoke to Jean-Nicolas Bitter, a foreign ministry official working on the project, to find out how effective this process could be. According to Bitter, the aim of the commission will be to provide redress for the victims of the violence that has wracked the central African state. The signing of a peace deal in…

Swiss Politics

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Swiss Politics

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Switzerland sees technology as key to democracy

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Left targets Centre as election battle commences

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Zurich calls for solidarity over airport

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Non-EU citizens face travel obstacles

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Ministers pack their bags for the Valais

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Fraud poses obstacle for Schengen deal

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Magic Formula comes under attack

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Arts’ backers join forces to secure future

More

Reconstruction tops agenda during Karzai visit

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Congo prepares to face up to the truth

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