Swiss Politics

Calmy-Rey looks to strengthen Russian ties

This content was published on Jun 15, 2011 Meeting with Russian Prime Minister Vladimir Putin in Geneva on Wednesday, Calmy-Rey said trade relations with the two countries were “excellent”, but could be improved in other areas. “We need to progress in a certain number of specific areas,” Calmy-Rey said. “As such, we would like to establish a strengthened cooperation in the areas of…

Swiss Politics

Parliament dumps federal prosecutor

This content was published on Jun 15, 2011 In a surprise result, Beyeler fell just five votes short of re-election, winning 109 votes of a possible 227 from both the House of Representatives and the Senate. The rightwing Swiss People’s Party had called for Beyeler not to be confirmed for a second term in office, while the Greens officially abstained in the ballot.…

Swiss Politics

Anti-speeding campaign put in top gear

This content was published on Jun 15, 2011 Members of RoadCross handed their initiative – signed by 106,000 people – to the Federal Chancellery in Bern on Wednesday. The initiative would keep speeding drivers off Swiss roads by means of revoked licences and prison sentences, with higher penalties for those who cause accidents resulting in death or serious injury. The initiative has the…

Swiss Politics

Top justice figure voted out by parliament

This content was published on Jun 15, 2011 The rightwing Swiss People’s Party had called for Beyeler not to be confirmed for a second term in office, while the Greens officially abstained in the ballot. The People’s Party accused Beyeler of mishandling a case against a private banker and of covering up a plot against a former justice minister in 2007. The other…

Swiss Politics

Senate agrees tougher banking rules

This content was published on Jun 15, 2011 The Senate on Monday agreed a proposal which forces the main banks to build up a total capital ratio of at least 19 per cent – above the minimum set by international regulators. Supporters, notably from the centre-left but also from other parties, said a repeat of the 2008 UBS bailout must not happen again.…

Swiss Politics

Women return to the streets for equal rights

This content was published on Jun 14, 2011 Even today, 30 years after the principle of equality of men and women was enshrined in the constitution, women earn on average 20 per cent less than men with the same qualifications. More than 50 organisations participated in this year’s day of action and some 100,000 women took part in events around the country, coordinator Lea…

Swiss Politics

Lump-sum taxpayer numbers continue to grow

This content was published on Jun 14, 2011 There were 5,445 such taxpayers in 2010, an 8.8 per cent rise from 2008-2010, according to a study by the Conference of Cantonal Finance Ministers. But that’s less than in recent years. The number of such taxpayers grew by around 20 per cent in 2006-2008. Receipts of tax income of foreigners, who live but don’t…

Swiss Politics

Witnesses to get protection from revenge attacks

This content was published on Jun 14, 2011 And it is hardly surprising: anyone who testifies in a such trials may be threatened or even physically eliminated by the gangs involved. But on June 7 the Swiss Senate approved a motion submitted to it by the government, calling for better witness protection procedures. This lays the basis for Switzerland to ratify the Council…

Swiss Politics

Manifesto promotes interests of Swiss abroad

This content was published on Jun 13, 2011 The response this initiative gets from the politicians at home is likely to influence the choices of over half a million expats with the right to take part in the ballot. Clearly determined to occupy a prominent place in federal politics, the Swiss abroad community is addressing itself directly to parties and candidates running for…

Swiss Politics

Consular cutbacks prove painful

This content was published on Jun 12, 2011 The news was revealed on French-language public radio on Tuesday, which reported that 26 consulates in Europe, the Caribbean and southern Africa were being regrouped into eight regional centres. The radio said the consuls had not been officially informed of the plans in advance and were furious at the “high-handed system of communication” and “inadequate…

Page 795 of 1365

First … 793 794 795 796 797 … Last

Swiss Politics

Popular Stories

Most Discussed

Sign in and personalize Swissinfo