Swiss Politics

Politicians want to empower Swiss abroad

This content was published on Oct 10, 2003 The move would bring Switzerland in line with some other European nations, which allow their expatriate communities to be represented in parliament. Italy, France and Portugal have all added a clause to their constitutions allowing their expatriates to elect their own parliamentary representative. A maximum of eight Italian expatriates – spread over four territories –…

Swiss Politics

Left joins cantons in forcing vote on tax cuts

This content was published on Oct 9, 2003 The result is a second blow for the authorities after 11 cantons voted to hold an historic referendum against tax breaks for families and homeowners and on stamp duty. The committee had until Thursday to submit the signatures to the Federal Chancellery. The Greens, the Social Democrats, the Far Left, tenants’ associations and public service…

Swiss Politics

Final poll gives rightwing the lead

This content was published on Oct 8, 2003 The number one political issue as far as the Swiss are concerned is the planned reform of the state pension scheme. The People’s Party’s share of the vote has dipped slightly since the last opinion poll one month ago, but it is still in front with 25.3 per cent. Party popularity It is a position…

Swiss Politics

Swiss back drive for peace in Chechnya

This content was published on Oct 4, 2003 The Swiss branch of the Society for Threatened Peoples hosted the first meeting of the coalition just ahead of Sunday’s presidential election. The Chechen Civil Society Forum aims to promote peace in the republic, which has endured almost a decade of conflict. “We have been working on the topic of human rights violations in Chechnya…

Swiss Politics

Parliamentarians wave goodbye to life in politics

This content was published on Oct 3, 2003 swissinfo caught up with Vreni Spoerry, Claude Frey, Rosmarie Dormann and Ruedi Baumann just before their departure from Swiss political life. Vreni Spoerry, regarded as one of the most influential female politicians, has debated and argued in parliament for more than 20 years. During her time, the member of the Radical Party has noticed that…

Swiss Politics

House of Representatives throws out asylum cuts

This content was published on Oct 3, 2003 An alliance of Left and Right called for a review of the effect the cuts would have on Switzerland’s asylum system. The cuts are part of government proposals to save SFr3.3 billion in spending over the next three years. The proposals will now go back to the Senate for further discussion. They go hand-in-hand with…

Swiss Politics

House trims planned spending cuts

This content was published on Oct 2, 2003 Parliamentarians on Thursday voted to limit the cuts to SFr2.8 billion over the next few years, partially sparing pensions and education. The Swiss finance minister, Kaspar Villiger, said he was pleased that the package had been approved, despite the amendments. “It is positive that the parliament has actually managed to finalise such a plan in…

Swiss Politics

Voters leave government to the politicians

This content was published on Oct 2, 2003 That is power reserved for parliament, which elects the cabinet under a power-sharing system that has been in place since 1959. That power-sharing arrangement – known as the “Magic Formula” – shares out cabinet seats based partly on the parties’ share of the vote, and partly on the need to have Switzerland’s three language regions…

Swiss Politics

Parties out to counter apathy among young voters

This content was published on Oct 2, 2003 Campaigners are urging them to use their ballot. But can young voters make a difference? With less than three weeks to go, the youth wings of Switzerland’s four main parties have been pulling out the stops to persuade young Swiss to go to the polls. But they have their work cut out: in the 1999…

Swiss Politics

Business urges voters to balance the books

This content was published on Oct 1, 2003 As the October 19 elections draw closer, business groups are urging a return to “fiscal balance” and closer ties with Europe. “We’ve come seriously out of balance over the past ten years,” Rudolf Ramsauer, the chief executive of the Swiss Business Federation, told swissinfo. “It’s absolutely essential that we return to fiscal and financial balance,”…

Swiss Politics

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Swiss Politics

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Politicians want to empower Swiss abroad

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Left joins cantons in forcing vote on tax cuts

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Final poll gives rightwing the lead

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Swiss back drive for peace in Chechnya

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Parliamentarians wave goodbye to life in politics

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House of Representatives throws out asylum cuts

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House trims planned spending cuts

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Voters leave government to the politicians

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Parties out to counter apathy among young voters

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Business urges voters to balance the books

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