Swiss Politics

Leaders convene to debate future of federalism

This content was published on Aug 27, 2002 Some 500 politicians, technocrats and business people are discussing how federal systems should respond to new problems and challenges. The event is a joint project between the Swiss Confederation and the Swiss cantonal governments, who consider Switzerland – one of the oldest federal states in the world – an ideal place for an international forum…

Swiss Politics

Switzerland hosts federalism conference

This content was published on Aug 26, 2002 Some 500 politicians, technocrats and business people are discussing how federal systems can best serve multicultural societies. The event is a joint project between the Swiss Confederation and the Swiss cantonal governments, who consider Switzerland – one of the oldest federal states in the world – an ideal place for an international forum on the…

Swiss Politics

Roman titans clash near Basel

This content was published on Aug 26, 2002 Thousands turned out to watch bare-foot fighters dressed in traditional gladiator gear battle it out at the weekend’s Roman Festival in the ancient settlement of Augusta Raurica near Basel. A colourful procession kicked off the first contest on Sunday. A battalion of legionnaires in armour, followed by dancers and musicians in robes and togas, trod…

Swiss Politics

Tough negotiations ahead at Earth Summit

This content was published on Aug 26, 2002 The Swiss foreign minister, Joseph Deiss, says he is confident the summit will not end in failure. “We have to be optimistic, even if there remain great problems to be solved,” Deiss told swissinfo, ” because it wouldn’t be fair to go to Johannesburg with a pessimistic frame of mind.” The United Nations World Summit…

Swiss Politics

Switzerland: a model for Europe?

This content was published on Aug 22, 2002 Fifty years ago, the EU founders Jean Monnet and Robert Schuman considered the idea of a federal state similiar to Switzerland. And the idea has once again gained prominence as Brussels considers the future of the EU. Last December saw the creation of the Convention on the future of Europe, designed to pave the way…

Swiss Politics

What keeps Switzerland together?

This content was published on Aug 22, 2002 With so many differences Switzerland would seem to have little chance of holding together. But Switzerland is united as today as it has ever been. One reason for this cohesion, says Gregory Fossedal, title and author of Direct Democracy, is the system of direct democracy. It gives every Swiss citizen the right to call for…

Swiss Politics

Lake Geneva to host G-8 leaders in 2003

This content was published on Aug 3, 2002 The French president, Jacques Chirac, has chosen Evian-les-Bains as the host town for next year’s G-8 summit. Evian, which is famous for its health spas and bottled water, is nestled on the French side of Lake Geneva. However, Switzerland is likely to become heavily involved in the summit – not only because of its geographic…

Swiss Politics

Bern urges end to Sudan fighting

This content was published on Aug 1, 2002 The Swiss foreign ministry said in a statement on Wednesday that it was alarmed by the escalation of violence and the large number of civilian casualties. The rebel Sudan People’s Liberation Movement (SPLA) on Tuesday accused government troops of killing 1,000 civilians in a new offensive in the south of the country. Swiss appeal Bern…

Swiss Politics

Swiss take fresh look at air show safety

This content was published on Jul 29, 2002 Swiss aviation authorities are to “carefully” study security rules in order to prevent a crash like that which occurred at an air show on the outskirts of the western Ukrainian city of Lviv, said Christophe Keckeis, deputy commander of the Swiss Air Force. He said checks would be made to see whether such a catastrophe…

Swiss Politics

Swiss offer to help Ukrainian crash victims

This content was published on Jul 28, 2002 Ukraine welcomed the offer of assistance, but said there was no need at present to take up Switzerland’s offer of hospital places for many of the badly burnt victims of the disaster. The Swiss president, Kaspar Villiger, has also sent the Ukrainian president, Leonid Kuchma, a letter expressing his and the Swiss people’s “deep sympathy”…

Swiss Politics

Popular Stories

Most Discussed

Sign in and personalize Swissinfo

Swiss Politics

More

Leaders convene to debate future of federalism

More

Switzerland hosts federalism conference

More

Roman titans clash near Basel

More

Tough negotiations ahead at Earth Summit

More

Switzerland: a model for Europe?

More

What keeps Switzerland together?

More

Lake Geneva to host G-8 leaders in 2003

More

Bern urges end to Sudan fighting

More

Swiss take fresh look at air show safety

More

Swiss offer to help Ukrainian crash victims

Popular Stories

Most Discussed