Swiss Politics

Swiss politics splits down the centre

This content was published on Apr 7, 2003 The left-leaning Social Democratic Party and the right-wing Swiss People’s Party emerged the main winners of this weekend’s regional elections. The two other main parties, the centre-right Radicals and Christian Democrats lost votes, in what commentators say is likely to mirror national voting patterns in the October elections. “In 70 per cent of cases, the…

Swiss Politics

War encroaches on children’s lives

This content was published on Apr 5, 2003 But the effects of the conflict have truly hit home as the media broadcast images of death and destruction from the front line. “When will they be here?” five-year-old Michelle, from Kirchberg in canton Bern, has seen the pictures of falling bombs and tanks rolling through Iraq on television. Yet despite knowing the war is…

Swiss Politics

Swiss side with UN on Iraq reconstruction

This content was published on Apr 4, 2003 The Swiss foreign ministry told swissinfo that it was firmly behind a leading role for the United Nations. On Friday, the foreign ministry’s chief spokesman, Simon Hubacher, reiterated the government’s stance, saying “the UN must play a key role in Iraq”. He added that the cabinet was expected to take up the post-war issue in…

Swiss Politics

Zurich vote seen as litmus test of general election

This content was published on Apr 4, 2003 Switzerland’s most populous canton has been hard hit by the economic slowdown, and is seeing a wider polarisation of political views. As well as the Zurich vote, elections are also taking place in Lucerne, Ticino and Appenzell Outer Rhodes. Attention will be focusing on the performance of the right-wing Swiss People’s Party, which did well…

Swiss Politics

Switzerland to host new round of talks on Iraq

This content was published on Apr 1, 2003 The talks – the second hosted by Switzerland – aim to strengthen dialogue between Iraq’s neighbours, aid organisations and donor countries. Wednesday’s meeting is an offshoot of an earlier international humanitarian conference, which was organised by the Swiss Agency for Development and Cooperation (SDC) in February. Following the conference in Geneva, the SDC decided to…

Swiss Politics

Swiss protest for peace under a rainbow banner

This content was published on Mar 30, 2003 Over 30,000 have been bought and are either hanging from balconies or being displayed at peace marches across the country. It was the Swiss organisation, Switzerland without Army Group (GSoA), that brought the multicolour flags to a larger audience, so to speak. It hit on the idea of bringing a batch to a recent anti-war…

Swiss Politics

Right wing holds on to poll lead

This content was published on Mar 25, 2003 With 24.6 per cent, the People’s Party is only just ahead of the centre-left Social Democrats. The poll, conducted by the Bern-based GfS institute at the beginning of March, said the People’s Party clocked up strong gains last autumn in the run-up to a vote on toughening Switzerland’s asylum laws. The party’s popularity has receded…

Swiss Politics

Swiss Solidarity raises funds for Iraq

This content was published on Mar 24, 2003 The charity said it would help civilians as soon as there was a change of government in Baghdad. “Swiss Solidarity decided months ago to help the Iraqi population as soon as a regime change took place, though not necessarily through a war,” Swiss Solidarity president and radio journalist, Roland Jeanneret, told swissinfo. He warned that…

Swiss Politics

Protesters march against war

This content was published on Mar 24, 2003 The Swiss demonstration on Saturday was part of a worldwide protest movement against the latest Gulf conflict. This was the second national anti-war protest to take place in Bern. A demonstration on February 15 brought together 40,000 people from all walks of life in one of the biggest protest marches ever seen in Switzerland. The…

Swiss youth high on peace

This content was published on Mar 21, 2003 Political scientists say the willingness of people under 25 to protest marks a sea change in their political attitudes. “It is a spontaneous movement of the politically aware,” said Michelle Beyeler, a political scientist at the University of Zurich. On Thursday, news that the war in Iraq had finally started saw around 40,000 young people…

Swiss Politics

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Swiss Politics

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Swiss politics splits down the centre

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War encroaches on children’s lives

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Swiss side with UN on Iraq reconstruction

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Zurich vote seen as litmus test of general election

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Switzerland to host new round of talks on Iraq

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Swiss protest for peace under a rainbow banner

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Right wing holds on to poll lead

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Swiss Solidarity raises funds for Iraq

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Protesters march against war

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Swiss youth high on peace

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