Swiss Politics

Swiss might not back European as IMF head

This content was published on May 22, 2011 René Weber is one of 24 IMF executive directors who will cast votes to decide the eventual replacement for former French managing director, Dominique Strauss-Kahn, who resigned his position last week. “Switzerland is not a priori supporting a European. For us the qualifications, the track record, and the requirements of the mandate – maintaining stable…

Swiss Politics

Finance minister hits out at UBS, Credit Suisse

This content was published on May 21, 2011 In an interview published in the Neue Zürcher Zeitung on Saturday, Eveline Widmer-Schlumpf called on the banks to provide a detailed explanation of their response provided to a commission examining the proposed law. She said figures provided by the banks did not reflect “reality”, and were incomprehensible “not only for me.” “In politics, it often…

Swiss Politics

Cat-and-mouse dance in tax evasion struggle

This content was published on May 20, 2011 At stake is Swiss banking secrecy, Switzerland’s sovereignty as a bilateral EU partner, countless billions of assets parked in Swiss banks and the multiple millions this wealth should be contributing to the tax coffers of other countries. The Swiss authorities are attempting to cut individual withholding tax deals with powerful EU member states Germany and…

Swiss Politics

Justice minister defends Schengen/Dublin costs

This content was published on May 20, 2011 She highlighted benefits gained by Switzerland, such as fewer asylum applications and police access to a Europe-wide crime database. Under the Schengen treaty Switzerland abandoned identity checks on its borders; the Dublin accord allows the Swiss to turn away asylum seekers who have already filed a request in another signatory country. Sommaruga admitted that…

Swiss Politics

Testing times for nuclear industry

This content was published on May 20, 2011 By demonstrating that a nuclear plant can theoretically withstand an external shock, such as a flood, earthquake or direct plane crash, the tests are meant to give us peace of mind. The issue dominated the headlines in Germany this week where the country’s 17 power plants underwent stress tests. The results, evaluated as positive by…

Swiss Politics

Swiss hope to mend tax fence with Italy

This content was published on May 19, 2011 Speaking at a European finance ministers’ meeting in Brussels on Tuesday, Tremonti described the savings tax directive written by Switzerland as a “paper tiger”. He said it was a “toothless instrument” that was legally worthless since it didn’t even allow for sanctions. The government said on Thursday Tremonti’s remarks had “not been appreciated by Switzerland…

Swiss Politics

Swiss to address lack of local skilled workers

This content was published on May 19, 2011 Speaking at the opening of the Swiss Economic Forum in Interlaken on Thursday, Schneider-Ammann said competition from the European Union for skilled workers would become more “acute” with the aging of the population. He said Switzerland must do more to increase local education levels to ensure the country has enough skilled workers to meet demand.…

Swiss Politics

Tax issues dominate talks with Westerwelle

This content was published on May 19, 2011 The pair discussed taxation matters, as well as the expansion of the Rhine Valley railway route, noise pollution near Zurich airport and democracy movements in the Middle East. In a statement after the meeting, Calmy-Rey said the two countries remained committed to finalising taxation negotiations before the summer break. “With the withholding tax model, a…

Swiss Politics

Ticino residents may vote on burka ban

This content was published on May 19, 2011 A committee there has gathered the 10,000 petition signatures required to launch an initiative that could forbid the wearing of burkas and other veils that hide the face. The group delivered the signatures to cantonal authorities in Bellinzona on Thursday, saying it had collected well over 10,000. Civil servants will formally inspect and count the…

Swiss Politics

Mountain communes receive hydro billions

This content was published on May 19, 2011 Countless mountain communities give out licences – lasting normally 80 years – to energy firms wanting to set up hydroelectric power plants on their territory. For these they levy water taxes. From 2030 many of these permits will expire and the energy firms will have to give up their right of use. This is what’s…

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Swiss might not back European as IMF head

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Finance minister hits out at UBS, Credit Suisse

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Cat-and-mouse dance in tax evasion struggle

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Justice minister defends Schengen/Dublin costs

More

Testing times for nuclear industry

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Swiss hope to mend tax fence with Italy

More

Swiss to address lack of local skilled workers

More

Tax issues dominate talks with Westerwelle

More

Ticino residents may vote on burka ban

More

Mountain communes receive hydro billions

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