Swiss Politics

The week ahead in Switzerland

This content was published on Apr 2, 2000 A visit to Britain by the Swiss president, Adolf Ogi, a nail biting election in canton Thurgau, and the unveiling of a holiday scheme for landmine victims, are some of the events likely to hit the headlines in Switzerland this week. On Tuesday, the Swiss president will travel to Britain for talks with the culture…

Swiss Politics

Blocher accused of using “Stalinist” arguments

This content was published on Apr 2, 2000 The president of Switzerland’s Radical Party, Franz Steinegger (file picture), has accused the right-wing parliamentarian, Christoph Blocher, of using the same arguments as Stalin in his attacks on his political opponents, in an interview with a Sunday newspaper. Recently out of hospital for heart treatment, Franz Steinegger jumped straight back into the political fray by…

Swiss Politics

Justice minister rules out hasty reform of citizenship laws

This content was published on Apr 1, 2000 The Swiss justice minister, Ruth Metzler, has ruled out any knee-jerk reaction to recent controversy over Switzerland’s naturalisation laws. Her comments come as a government-appointed committee considers whether there should be a right of appeal for people whose citizenship applications are turned down. Ruth Metzler made it clear that the government intends to proceed slowly…

Swiss Politics

Campaigners take fresh approach in fight for foreigners’ rights

This content was published on Apr 1, 2000 Two Swiss human rights groups have formed a new movement to take up the cudgels on behalf of asylum seekers and migrants. The news comes against a backdrop of increasing concern about the rights and treatment of foreigners living in Switzerland. The new organisation, called “Solidarité sans frontières”, was formed from the merger of Asylum…

Swiss Politics

New boss for Swiss human rights group

This content was published on Apr 1, 2000 A parliamentarian from the Swiss People’s Party, Lisbeth Fehr (file picture), has been appointed president of the Swiss branch of the International Society for Human Rights. She becomes the first woman to head the organisation. Fehr, a teacher from canton Zurich, was appointed at the Society’s general assembly in Berne. She takes over less than…

Swiss Politics

Switzerland to help register Kosovar returnees

This content was published on Mar 31, 2000 Switzerland is to make Sfr 1.9 million available to the UN Administration in Kosovo (UNMIK), to help the breakaway Yugoslav province set up a residents’ and election register. The first municipal elections in Kosovo are planned for October this year. The international community is faced with the difficult task of bringing order to the province,…

Swiss Politics

Demonstrators turn out against Schüssel

This content was published on Mar 31, 2000 Around 600 people have turned out in the Swiss capital, Berne, to protest against the visit by the Austrian chancellor, Wolfgang Schüssel (pictured left, with Swiss president Adolf Ogi). The protestors represented a variety of groups, from Jewish organisations, the left wing, and anti-racists. They have been angered by the Swiss government’s decision to welcome…

Swiss Politics

“Business as usual” with Austria

This content was published on Mar 31, 2000 The Swiss president, Adolf Ogi (pictured right) and the Austrian chancellor, Wolfgang Schüssel (left) have emphasised the good relations between Switzerland and Austria after talks in Berne. Ogi said it was “business as usual”, despite international attempts to isolate Vienna over the inclusion of the far-right Freedom Party in the coalition. After talks in Berne,…

Swiss Politics

21,698 new Swiss citizens in 1999

This content was published on Mar 31, 2000 Just under 22,000 people became Swiss citizens in 1999, a figure which almost matches that of 1998. The biggest group, at 26 per cent of the total, were Italians. The Federal Justice and Police Department said the 21,698 new citizens came from a wide range of countries besides Italy. They included Yugoslavs (10 per cent),…

Swiss Politics

Austrian chancellor begins controversial visit

This content was published on Mar 31, 2000 Despite being shunned by much of Europe, the Austrian chancellor, Wolfgang Schüssel, has arrived in Switzerland on a one-day visit – one of the first foreign visits by the head of the controversial new government in Vienna. Schüssel is due to hold talks with the Swiss president, Adolf Ogi, together with the foreign minister, Joseph…

Swiss Politics

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Swiss Politics

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The week ahead in Switzerland

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Blocher accused of using “Stalinist” arguments

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Justice minister rules out hasty reform of citizenship laws

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Campaigners take fresh approach in fight for foreigners’ rights

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New boss for Swiss human rights group

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Switzerland to help register Kosovar returnees

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Demonstrators turn out against Schüssel

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“Business as usual” with Austria

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21,698 new Swiss citizens in 1999

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Austrian chancellor begins controversial visit

Popular Stories

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