Swiss Politics

Swiss formally recognise South Sudan

This content was published on Jul 9, 2011 “After consultations with the foreign policy committees of the two chambers (of Parliament) the government has decided to recognise South Sudan as an independent state,” the government said in a statement. A Swiss government representative present at independence celebrations in the South Sudanese capital of Juba on Saturday, said Switzerland would begin the process of…

Swiss Politics

Strasbourg minaret ruling causes no surprise

This content was published on Jul 8, 2011 The ruling by the court in Strasbourg has been met with no surprise, by either opponents or supporters of the Swiss law. In a popular vote November 2009 the Swiss approved an initiative to add to the constitution a ban on the construction of any new minarets. Of those who voted, 57 per cent were…

Swiss Politics

“Flytilla” passengers grounded in Switzerland

This content was published on Jul 8, 2011 Some 600 people from around Europe are trying to visit the town of Bethlehem at the invitation of a Palestinian group in a solidarity operation dubbed “Welcome to Palestine”. Israel says the visitors are persona non grata. Meanwhile, the ten-boat Gaza-bound protest flotilla, which includes Swiss participants, remains blocked in Greece. Around 30 passengers were…

Swiss Politics

Nigerian deportation flights resume

This content was published on Jul 8, 2011 A Swiss International Air Lines flight carrying 19 Nigerians took off from Zurich on Thursday for Lagos, the Federal Migration Office said. However, the special flight did not proceed without incident. A spokesman for the Migration Office said two Nigerians who physically resisted boarding were not put on the flight. The German-language television news programme,…

Swiss Politics

Voters to decide on cabinet election reform

This content was published on Jul 7, 2011 The proposal, launched by members of the rightwing Swiss People’s Party, also has its supporters among the centre-left. Opinions among political scientists are divided. Just over 110,000 signatures in support of the initiative were handed in by campaigners to the Federal Chancellery on Thursday. People’s Party President Toni Brunner said if voters accepted the initiative…

Swiss Politics

Belt-tightening hits International Geneva

This content was published on Jul 6, 2011 While some Swiss officials downplay the recent wave of cutbacks and job losses among several of the 32 international agencies based in the western Swiss city, local cantonal authorities are watching events closely. Many agencies are being stretched to breaking point due to financial pressures resulting from the recent economic crisis. Last week United Nations…

Swiss Politics

Free movement protection measures under scrutiny

This content was published on Jul 6, 2011 High level European officials reiterated their concerns about the measures during meetings in Brussels with the new head of the Swiss State Secretariat for Economic Affairs, Marie-Gabrielle Ineichen-Fleisch, on Tuesday and Wednesday. The measures aim to protect foreign workers from salary undercutting. They were introduced on June 1, 2004, to accompany the entry into force…

Swiss Politics

Tax assistance to be enshrined in law

This content was published on Jul 6, 2011 Finance Minister Eveline Widmer-Schlumpf said the bill – for parliament to discuss – was aimed at enshrining rules on the exchange of information pertaining to account holders, as applied in double taxation agreements (DTAs) with other countries. The cabinet insists on the principle that administrative assistance will only be provided upon request in individual cases.…

Swiss Politics

Cabinet won’t act again over strong franc

This content was published on Jul 6, 2011 In its last meeting before the summer break, the cabinet reiterated that defining monetary policy is the exclusive domain of the Swiss National Bank (SNB). The government intends to continue its efforts to support the Swiss economy, but “categorically rejects all ineffective measures and ones which would be counter-productive for the Swiss economy,” it said…

Swiss Politics

Closer asylum cooperation with EU planned

This content was published on Jul 6, 2011 It adopted a motion on Wednesday to start negotiations with the EU to give Switzerland observer status at the European Asylum Support Office (EASO). The EASO was established in May 2010 to promote cooperation between EU members over questions of asylum and to offer support to states which come under particular pressure from large numbers…

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Swiss formally recognise South Sudan

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Strasbourg minaret ruling causes no surprise

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“Flytilla” passengers grounded in Switzerland

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Nigerian deportation flights resume

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Voters to decide on cabinet election reform

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Belt-tightening hits International Geneva

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Free movement protection measures under scrutiny

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Tax assistance to be enshrined in law

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Cabinet won’t act again over strong franc

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Closer asylum cooperation with EU planned

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