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Swiss Politics

Swiss reject proposal to cut size of foreign population

This content was published on Sep 24, 2000 The move to curb the number of foreigners was voted down by 63 per cent, with 36 per cent in favour. The justice minister, Ruth Metzler – speaking for the government – welcomed the result, and said it was a signal to the international community that Switzerland was willing to adhere to its commitments. Metzler…

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Voters reject change to referendum system

This content was published on Sep 24, 2000 The vote against the initiative was by a 2-1 margin. The Swiss currently have the option of either rejecting or accepting the text of a referendum in full. The initiative on a “constructive referendum”, launched by centre-left parties in 1995, would have allowed the electorate the option of approving or turning down parts of a…

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Neuchatel gives foreigners a cantonal vote

This content was published on Sep 24, 2000 More than three-quarters (76.6 per cent) of the people who voted in Sunday’s ballot said they were in favour of changing the consitution to broaden the electorate. Jura is the only other canton to give foreigners such voting rights. A total of 21,000 foreigners who have lived in canton Neuchatel for a minimum of five…

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Swiss set to decide whether to reduce number of foreigners

This content was published on Sep 23, 2000 Latest opinion polls indicate the move will be defeated. The most recent poll suggested 50 per cent of the electorate will vote against, with 29 per cent in favour. The government, big business and the main political parties came out against the measure – the only exception being the right-wing People’s Party, which is divided…

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Swiss Politics

Week in Switzerland

This content was published on Sep 23, 2000 Switzerland got off to an exceptional start at the Olympics in Sydney, collecting a gold and a bronze on the opening day. Further medals followed during the first week of competition. Outstanding results came particularly from Swiss women fencers and triathlon athletes who won a handful of medals. On the political stage, Switzerland prepared for…

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Swiss Politics

Geneva parliament sets up human rights commission

This content was published on Sep 22, 2000 The commission will ensure that all Geneva institutions are run in conformity with the Universal Declaration of Human Rights. It will also take an interest in human rights in Switzerland and abroad. Parliamentarians unanimously accepted the proposition of their colleague, the liberal Michel Halpérin. The reasoning behind the commission is to spend more time debating…

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Swiss Politics

Rhine accord renewed after 25 years

This content was published on Sep 21, 2000 Representatives of the three countries met in Basel on Thursday to sign the accord, which expands the powers of the tripartite commission governing the vital waterway. The Swiss foreign ministry described joint operations in the region, where all three countries meet, as a “model of cross-border cooperation”. International law expert, Kurt Hoechner, told swissinfo that…

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Swiss Politics

Switzerland convenes conference on Red Cross emblem debate

This content was published on Sep 21, 2000 Diplomatic sources said on Thursday the invitations had been issued, despite the failure to make much progress during two days of consultations on the issue earlier this month. At the end of that meeting, Switzerland had declared its intention to call a conference by the end of October, but warned that a great deal of…

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Swiss Politics

Deiss speaks out on foreigners initiative

This content was published on Sep 20, 2000 Speaking in Zurich on Wednesday, Deiss said that if the measure was adopted in a referendum scheduled for Sunday, it would send “a false signal to Europe”. He warned that such a measure could give Switzerland more trouble with the bilateral treaties which the country has signed with the European Union. Nonetheless, Deiss conceded that…

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Swiss Politics

Government boost for film industry

This content was published on Sep 20, 2000 Dreifuss told the Senate that the government would ask parliament to gradually increase the film budget over the next four years, from SFr21.5 million now to SFr32.5 million in 2004. She admitted that although the increase was considerable, the level of subsidies remained modest. The funds are not only used to assist the production of…

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