Swiss Politics

Swiss army opens combat ranks to women

This content was published on Jun 2, 2000 Women volunteers serving in the Swiss army are restricted to certain units, typically those involving support staff such as administration and signals. Some are attached to infantry divisions, but these are only permitted to participate in training exercises and musical bands. Those who are armed, carry weapons for self-defence only. But from 2003, all restrictions…

Swiss Politics

Cabinet debates EU membership timetable

This content was published on May 31, 2000 The long term aim of the entire government is EU membership. Less certain is the timetable for restarting negotiations which have been on hold since 1992 when Swiss voters rejected membership of the European Economic Area. The issue has been in the news all week with two ministers publicly stating their position ahead of the…

Swiss Politics

Switzerland to deport 500 Kosovo asylum seekers in June

This content was published on May 30, 2000 The Federal Refugee Office said the first repatriations would start in June, following a May 31 deadline for all Kosovo asylum seekers to leave the country. The 500 deportees are the first of 14,500 Kosovars, who will eventually be sent back to the province. The authorities say the asylum seekers no longer need to remain…

Swiss Politics

Deiss says Swiss should press ahead on Europe

This content was published on May 30, 2000 Speaking in Zurich on Monday, Deiss said it was important to create the conditions which would allow negotiations to be opened, and that full membership of the EU could only happen when the Swiss people were in favour. “We must use the time until we enter the EU, to carry out necessary domestic political reforms,”…

Swiss Politics

Polls show mixed attitudes of Swiss towards Brussels

This content was published on May 28, 2000 While Sunday’s survey in the ‘Sonntagsblick’ paper shows little over half of the population to be against membership of the bloc, last Thursday’s poll in the weekly ‘L’Hebdo’ showed opposition running as high as 62 percent. Furthermore, while the French-speaking ‘L’Hebdo’ found that seven out of every ten German-speakers in Switzerland opposed full EU membership,…

Swiss Politics

Parties take positions on “Yes to Europe” initiative

This content was published on May 27, 2000 Supporters of the “Yes to Europe” initiative have gathered enough signatures to force a nationwide vote on the issue, but parliament and the government must issue their recommendations to voters. At meetings over the past two days, the Social Democratic Party came out in favour, while the Radicals and the People’s Party have rejected both…

Swiss Politics

Commission head, Prodi, honoured in St Gallen

This content was published on May 27, 2000 The awards to Romano Prodi and Jorma Ollila were bestowed at the 30th management symposium being held at St Gallen’s world-renowned university. The value of the prizes – which were awarded for the men’s contributions to the areas of economic and social development – is SFr200,000. Although it may not be as influential as the…

Swiss Politics

Brunner announces candidacy to head Social Democrats

This content was published on May 27, 2000 A Senate member for Geneva, Brunner made the announcement at a meeting of the party’s central committee in Berne, on Saturday. However, she said that in so doing, she hoped other candidates for the job would not be intimidated. “I am not an idol,” Brunner reportedly said. The House of Representatives’ Hildegard Fässler, of canton…

Swiss Politics

Poll shows Swiss oppose EU membership

This content was published on May 25, 2000 The poll found that just over 60 per cent of those questioned opposed EU membership, with only 35 per cent in favour. It was carried out by the French-language magazine, Hebdo, and Radio Suisse Romande. While 58 per cent of French-speakers favoured EU membership, only 28 per cent of German-speakers supported the prospect, highlighting the…

Swiss Politics

Government plans to slash civil defence force

This content was published on May 25, 2000 The ministry for defence and civil protection said on Thursday that a force of 120,000 would be more than sufficient to respond to emergencies and natural disasters. The cuts are in line with the ministry’s plans to slash the size of the Swiss military. The ministry said it wants the changes to come into effect…

Swiss Politics

Popular Stories

Most Discussed

Swiss Politics

More

Swiss army opens combat ranks to women

More

Cabinet debates EU membership timetable

More

Switzerland to deport 500 Kosovo asylum seekers in June

More

Deiss says Swiss should press ahead on Europe

More

Polls show mixed attitudes of Swiss towards Brussels

More

Parties take positions on “Yes to Europe” initiative

More

Commission head, Prodi, honoured in St Gallen

More

Brunner announces candidacy to head Social Democrats

More

Poll shows Swiss oppose EU membership

More

Government plans to slash civil defence force

Popular Stories

Most Discussed