Swiss Politics

Swiss companies ride foreign wind

This content was published on Jun 27, 2011 At the end of May, the Swiss electricity companies, EOS Holding and BKW, announced the purchase of 88 wind turbines in Germany and two wind farms in Italy. “Thirty years ago investments were made in nuclear power plants, primarily in France,” explained Nicolas Geinoz of the Association of Swiss Electricity Producers (VSE). “Over the past…

Swiss Politics

Justice minister pledges tougher asylum stance

This content was published on Jun 26, 2011 In an interview with the Sonntags Blick newspaper, Sommaruga said she favoured cracking down on asylum seekers behaving disgracefully. She said in difficult cases persons should be given coupons instead of money to prevent the purchase of alcohol. “When it’s necessary, the cantons could introduce curfews or designate no-go areas,” Sommaruga added. She reiterated her…

Swiss Politics

Cantons insist asylum seekers be sent home

This content was published on Jun 24, 2011 At a news conference in Bern on Friday, the justice and police directors of the 26 cantons accused federal authorities of taking too long to process claims and of sending asylum seekers from federal processing centres to the cantons too quickly. The directors called on federal authorities prioritise claims from people who had already lodged…

Swiss Politics

Top nuclear safety inspector resigns

This content was published on Jun 24, 2011 The environment ministry said in a statement it had accepted the resignation of the president of the Swiss Federal Nuclear Safety Inspectorate, Peter Hufschmied, who quit his post temporarily in May when the conflict allegations first surfaced. News reports alleged that Hufschmied maintained close ties with FMB BKW Energie, the company which operates the Mühleberg…

Swiss Politics

Anti-SUV drive off the political agenda

This content was published on Jun 24, 2011 The youth wing of the Green Party, which had collected enough signatures for a ballot, said it decided to halt its campaign as a counter-proposal approved by parliament was better and could be implemented early next year. In June both chambers of parliament came out in favour of an amendment which sets a limit for…

Swiss Politics

Uncertainty hinders Kyoto successor

This content was published on Jun 24, 2011 Kyoto risks collapse due to lack of support beyond 2012 from rich nations, which are meant to take the lead in fighting climate change. “This process is dead in the water,” said Yvo de Boer, the former head of the United Nations Climate Change Secretariat. “It’s not going anywhere,” he said during the United Nations…

Swiss Politics

Green group urges tax on pesticides

This content was published on Jun 24, 2011 The group said the current agriculture policy was a threat to biodiversity and failed to encourage farmers to save energy. Pro Natura proposes a tax on artificial fertilisers and pesticides as well as cuts in subsidies for cattle farmers. The main Farmers Association is to present its proposals next week. The government has submitted its…

Swiss Politics

Internet crime and Mafia pose growing threat

This content was published on Jun 23, 2011 The 2010 report released on Thursday also found that combatting cybercrime had become one of the biggest challenges facing the Swiss authorities. “With increasing frequency transnational crime is planned and prepared over the internet. The offenders are becoming faster and are more difficult to identify,” the police report states. The internet enables criminal organisations to…

Swiss Politics

Neuchâtel tax vote seen as just the beginning

This content was published on Jun 23, 2011 With 77 per cent in favour, voters in Neuchâtel backed the government’s plan to cut the corporate profit tax rate from ten to five per cent by 2016 and reduce taxes on holding companies. The plan will see companies taxed at the same rates. The Neuchâtel vote brings the canton in line with the wishes…

Swiss Politics

Minister faces criticism over asylum policy

This content was published on Jun 23, 2011 She said it made no sense to blame each other instead of cooperating in coping with the roughly 1,500 North Africans who have applied for asylum in Switzerland since the beginning of the year. However, she acknowledged that asylum centres have reached their capacity limits and that individual applicants have committed crimes – tarnishing the…

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Swiss companies ride foreign wind

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Justice minister pledges tougher asylum stance

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Cantons insist asylum seekers be sent home

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Top nuclear safety inspector resigns

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Anti-SUV drive off the political agenda

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Uncertainty hinders Kyoto successor

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Green group urges tax on pesticides

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Internet crime and Mafia pose growing threat

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Neuchâtel tax vote seen as just the beginning

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Minister faces criticism over asylum policy

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