Swiss Politics

Mounting battle against cuts in social benefits

This content was published on Jul 15, 2010 Voters will have the final say in September on a legal amendment approved by parliament and designed at resetting the balance of the insurance scheme by reducing its debts. It was a colourful group with flags, balloons and banners who handed the cardboard boxes with the necessary signatures for a nationwide vote to the federal…

Swiss Politics

Calls for policy rethink over relations with EU

This content was published on Jul 15, 2010 A book by the think tank, Avenir Suisse, says continuing relations with EU on the basis of bilateral treaties are not promising for the future. The authors recommend three possible scenarios: a new attempt at joining the European Economic Area treaty, full membership of the EU – albeit without taking over the euro currency –…

Swiss Politics

Honorary citizenship papers sent to Obama

This content was published on Jul 14, 2010 The village of Ried bei Kerzers in canton Fribourg held a press conference to announce the genealogy find on Tuesday. The event was attended by the US ambassador to Switzerland, Donald Beyer, who told media he believed Obama would be interested in the findings. “The event provided an ideal opportunity for the embassy to celebrate…

Swiss Politics

Cash-strapped army cuts back on jobs

This content was published on Jul 14, 2010 A moratorium by the Defence Minister Ueli Maurer has been issued saying vacant posts will not be filled and recruiting steps underway will be suspended, said army spokesman Christoph Brunner. Both military and civilian jobs were affected. The army is worried it will not be able to pay its bills. Brunner said the defence ministry…

Swiss Politics

Swiss explain asylum seeker death to Nigeria

This content was published on Jul 14, 2010 Alard du Bois-Reymond expressed regret to the Nigerian foreign minister over the death and relayed details of an autopsy that found the 29-year-old Nigerian asylum seeker had died of a heart attack while at Zurich airport last year. The victim was suffering from a serious heart condition that had not been diagnosed. The heart attack…

Swiss Politics

Green energy may spark new talks with EU

This content was published on Jul 13, 2010 Moritz Leuenberger, the Swiss energy minister, said he and Günter Oettinger, the EU energy commissioner, held talks in Brussels on Tuesday to discuss jump starting negotiations over energy. Both said they had an interest in concluding such an agreement quickly. Switzerland and the EU had been negotiating an energy deal before talks faltered after Europe…

Swiss Politics

Polanski decision angers US audience

This content was published on Jul 13, 2010 As the news spread, those in the legal and entertainment industries were quick to voice opinions. Readers have also been keen to put their two cents’ worth in. “Shock: The Swiss set Polanski free” was the headline on Time magazine’s website, saying that the decision practically guarantees that the 76-year-old director will be able to…

Swiss Politics

Haiti still suffers six months on

This content was published on Jul 12, 2010 Around 1.5 million people are still estimated to be displaced, with rubble still lying everywhere, hurricanes likely and long-term construction delayed. The effects of the 7.0-magnitude quake that hit the capital Port-au-Prince and large stretches of surrounding countryside on January 12 this year still dominate the landscape. Aid workers report that the bodies of most…

Swiss Politics

Papers feast on Leuenberger departure

This content was published on Jul 10, 2010 They look back over his career, consider his reasons for making the announcement at the beginning of the summer break, and speculate about the future. They are divided over Leuenberger’s record in cabinet, where for 15 years he has been in charge of transport, environment, energy and communications issues. “He did not live up to…

Swiss Politics

Race is on as senior cabinet minister steps down

This content was published on Jul 9, 2010 The move is expected to give his centre-left Social Democratic Party new momentum ahead of next year’s general elections. Leuenberger downplayed the timing of his announcement at a news conference on Friday and he dismissed media speculation about possible tactical moves or a feeling of personal frustration. He said he had chosen this moment to…

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Mounting battle against cuts in social benefits

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Calls for policy rethink over relations with EU

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Honorary citizenship papers sent to Obama

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Cash-strapped army cuts back on jobs

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Swiss explain asylum seeker death to Nigeria

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Green energy may spark new talks with EU

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Polanski decision angers US audience

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Haiti still suffers six months on

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Papers feast on Leuenberger departure

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Race is on as senior cabinet minister steps down

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