Swiss Politics

Voters reject proposal to scrap armed forces

This content was published on Dec 2, 2001 Exit polls show the electorate has decisively voted down proposals to scrap the armed forces and to set up a voluntary peace corps. A nationwide poll conducted by SRG-SSR-idée Suisse, shows four out of five voters have rejected the proposals, which had been put forward by a pacifist group. Final results are expected within the…

Swiss Politics

Voters reject abolition of armed forces

This content was published on Dec 2, 2001 Voting ended at midday and computer projections show the electorate clearly voting down proposals to scrap the armed forces and set up a voluntary peace corps. First results are expected shortly. Parliament, the government and most political parties had come out against the proposals by a pacifist group, Switzerland Without An Army. The supporters argued…

Swiss Politics

House rejects anti-abortion initiative

This content was published on Nov 29, 2001 The parliamentary chamber rejected the motion called ” For Mother and child” by 139 votes, with seven in favour and 17 abstentions. The vote was called after various pro-life groups and the Christian Democratic party delivered a petition to the federal government in July calling for a referendum on the issue. The matter will now…

Swiss Politics

Voting to be made easier for Swiss abroad

This content was published on Nov 27, 2001 According to the proposal, the 70,000 expatriates registered with embassies all over the world, will be able to cast their votes without having to register regularly. Swiss expatriates have had the right to take part in elections and referenda since 1977, however, so far they have been obliged to register with their embassies every four…

Swiss Politics

Demonstrators demand rights for illegal immigrants

This content was published on Nov 24, 2001 Demonstrators also demanded an immediate halt to deportations, a minimum wage of SFr3,000 for illegal workers and an improvement in their living and working conditions. The protest, which was organised by national campaigners and local groups, received support from more than 150 organisations, including the Social Democratic Party, the Greens and the Swiss Federation of…

Swiss Politics

Swiss People’s Party rejects UN membership

This content was published on Nov 24, 2001 The result was a victory for the party president, Ueli Maurer, who declared that membership of the UN would weaken Switzerland and undermine its traditional independence and neutrality. “The same people who, yesterday, came a cropper over Swissair’s international expansion are today pushing us into the arms of the UN,” he warned. “They believe the…

Swiss Politics

Senate commission wants weapons for Swisscoy now

This content was published on Nov 23, 2001 The soldiers should receive weapons earlier than planned according to the senators. The government had recommended the Kosovo troop wait until next October to be armed. A platoon of 50 men will be sent to the Balkans next autumn, along with five tanks, to reinforce the 160-strong Swisscoy. The commission believes the soldiers shouldn’t have…

Swiss Politics

Army removes explosives from Gotthard tunnel depot

This content was published on Nov 23, 2001 The Defence Ministry said the explosives, which have been kept at the Gotthard as part of Switzerland’s traditional security system, would be removed. The ministry said the move was in line with an overhaul of Switzerland’s defence strategy underway since the end of the Cold War era. About 1,000 of Switzerland’s key tunnels and bridges…

Swiss Politics

Experts meet to discuss Macedonia’s future

This content was published on Nov 22, 2001 The three-day conference, which brings together Swiss and international experts, along with Macedonian specialists and personalities, comes after the Balkan republic was faced with armed ethnic conflict this summer. International mediation brought about a cease-fire to the fighting between ethnic Albanian rebels and the country’s armed forces. The parliament in Skopje approved constitutional reforms last…

Swiss Politics

Disagreements could jeopardise biological weapons accord

This content was published on Nov 22, 2001 Following a number of recent anthrax attacks, the US wants to increase criminal penalties for the use of toxic weapons, and has proposed that nations’ laws be changed accordingly. However, the US favours voluntary measures, including making violation of the treaty a crime. Other nations want to take an even tougher stance, with some recommending…

Swiss Politics

Popular Stories

Most Discussed

Swiss Politics

More

Voters reject proposal to scrap armed forces

More

Voters reject abolition of armed forces

More

House rejects anti-abortion initiative

More

Voting to be made easier for Swiss abroad

More

Demonstrators demand rights for illegal immigrants

More

Swiss People’s Party rejects UN membership

More

Senate commission wants weapons for Swisscoy now

More

Army removes explosives from Gotthard tunnel depot

More

Experts meet to discuss Macedonia’s future

More

Disagreements could jeopardise biological weapons accord

Popular Stories

Most Discussed