Swiss Politics

Citizens pick payments over asylum seekers

This content was published on May 2, 2016 The town’s voters rejected a budget that had specifically left out asylum seeker payments, thereby indicating that they want the payments to be re-introduced. The budget was voted down on Sunday by a margin of 579 to 525 votes, with a voter turnout of 68.9%. The issue has divided the town since last year,…

Swiss Politics

‘A European Citizens’ Assembly’

This content was published on May 2, 2016 We have experience of running such deliberative mini-publics and we know how to work constructively across languages and other differences. An ECA would be an effective way of bringing the informed deliberations of citizens directly into the political decision making process at scale. Random selection would ensure that every citizen in the EU would have…

Swiss Politics

‘A minimal proposal’

This content was published on May 2, 2016 The problem is that the institutions are not visibly delivering democratic accountability (or effective governance). How could citizen participation solve the problem? To start with, I think it has to be acknowledged that direct democracy at the EU level is not an option – only a small minority of citizens will ever engage with single…

Big turnout for Labour Day parades

This content was published on May 1, 2016 The majority of the traditional trade unions parade’s participants were peaceful, however around 300 members of the left autonomous scene joined the march, throwing smoke bombs and fire crackers and spraying graffiti. International food chains, banks and police buildings were particular targets. According to police estimates, the damage adds up to tens of thousands of…

Swiss Politics

What next for European democracy?

This content was published on May 1, 2016 It takes more than just a perspective of the next 50 days to be able to see a silver lining on the dark horizons of Europe. On June 23, almost 50 million British citizens will be asked if they would like their country to ‘stay in’ or ‘leave’ the EU. As usual, a fair share…

Swiss Politics

New federal asylum centre opens up

This content was published on Apr 30, 2016 The new centre is located in an old hospital, the Bern Zieglerspital, which was closed last year due to restructuring. The site will be used as a reception and processing centre. Service at the site is restricted to eight years. At first 150 people will stay at the centre, later up to 350 could be…

Swiss Politics

From luxury buildings to places for the people

This content was published on Apr 30, 2016 Bern City Hall, dating from the 15th century, was once the seat of the Bern elite. Here, behind the thick sandstone walls, the councillors – all rich and from the nobility – sat together and made decisions about their subjects. Then Napoleon came and ended the regime. Nowadays this former symbol of lack of freedom…

Swiss Politics

Geneva refuses to remove critical Erdogan photo

This content was published on Apr 27, 2016 In a statement released on Tuesday, the city of Geneva authorities said they backed freedom of expression and announced that they would maintain their authorisation so the exhibition can continue until May 1. On Monday, the Geneva authorities received a complaint from the Turkish consulate to Switzerland demanding that an offending photograph of a dead…

Swiss Politics

Swiss lawmakers back Croatia free movement treaty

This content was published on Apr 26, 2016 On Tuesday, a majority of the House of Representatives voted in favour of the so-called protocol III extending free movement to Croatia. The other parliamentary chamber, the Senate, is due to discuss the issue in the next few months. Conservative right Swiss People’s Party politicians voted against it, accusing Justice Minister Simonetta Sommaruga of giving…

Swiss Politics

Switzerland officially joins ‘alternative World Bank’

This content was published on Apr 25, 2016 Switzerland has pledged to underwrite $706.4 million ($691 million) of the bank’s capital, which aims to reach $100 billion once all contributions are in. China got the ball rolling with $50 billion in starting capital. Having completed all the paperwork, Switzerland will now release the first of five instalments, this one worth $28.26 million. In…

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Swiss Politics

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Citizens pick payments over asylum seekers

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‘A European Citizens’ Assembly’

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‘A minimal proposal’

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Big turnout for Labour Day parades

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What next for European democracy?

More

New federal asylum centre opens up

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From luxury buildings to places for the people

More

Geneva refuses to remove critical Erdogan photo

More

Swiss lawmakers back Croatia free movement treaty

More

Switzerland officially joins ‘alternative World Bank’

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