Swiss Politics

Medvedev pays tribute to past and present

This content was published on Sep 22, 2009 After talks with the Swiss government on Monday, during which they discussed the global economy as well as security, Medvedev praised Switzerland’s role as an international mediator and major financial centre. The two countries signed accords on visa regulations for diplomats, the repatriation of failed asylum seekers, technical cooperation and sport in a bid to…

Swiss Politics

Minister makes online call for climate effort

This content was published on Sep 22, 2009 In a video message launched during a United Nations climate meeting in New York, Leuenberger said not only industrialised countries must contribute to protecting the environment. He said Switzerland supported the introduction of a CO2 tax to fund projects in the developing world. These projects are aimed at helping the countries adapt to climate change.…

Swiss Politics

Young bears and past heroes mark Medvedev visit

This content was published on Sep 22, 2009 On Tuesday, the second day of her husband’s official visit to Switzerland, Svetlana Medvedev entrusted the new residents of Bern’s expanding bear park to the care of her Swiss hosts. The bears arrived in Switzerland last week. The mayor of Bern, Alexander Tschäppät, also presented Medvedev with two bears – one of chocolate and one…

Swiss Politics

Copper thieves target railway cables

This content was published on Sep 21, 2009 In two separate incidents at the weekend they dismantled and removed about three kilometres of earth cable. On their first attempt in the early hours of Thursday they dismantled about 300 metres of cable but were unable to take it away, probably because they were interrupted. However, on that occasion they caused a short circuit,…

Swiss Politics

What could be more Swiss?

This content was published on Sep 18, 2009

Merz “sees no reason to resign”

This content was published on Sep 17, 2009 The 67-year-old finance minister also said there was no reason why he shouldn’t meet Libyan leader Moammar Gaddafi at the United Nations General Assembly in New York next week, following a recent diplomatic spat. Dismissing calls for his resignation amid mounting pressure, Merz pointed out the “notable” results achieved by his department. He highlighted the…

Swiss Politics

Ex-minister nominated as UN assembly president

This content was published on Sep 17, 2009 All four main political parties – apart from the rightwing Swiss People’s Party – welcomed the decision, confirmed on Thursday by the foreign ministry. Deiss, 63, had been nominated as a candidate of the Western European and Others Group (WEOG), said a ministry spokesman, adding that Deiss “had naturally made himself available”. The WEOG is…

Swiss Politics

New cabinet member has “politics in his blood”

This content was published on Sep 17, 2009 Burkhalter was voted into cabinet in an election on Wednesday to replace fellow centre-right Radical Party member Pascal Couchepin, who steps down on October 30. At 49 Burkhalter is the second youngest in the seven-member body, and brings to the table strong free-market views and nearly two decades of political experience. He has a “vocation…

Swiss Politics

Chad poses new threat to Swiss-Libyan ties

This content was published on Sep 16, 2009 Diplomats in Bern have been trying for months to promote peace in the central African country, much to the irritation of Libyan leader Moammar Gadaffi, who is against any interference in a region he considers his domain. Several opponents of Chad President Idriss Deby met in Geneva last week at the invitation of Switzerland. One…

Swiss Politics

And the winner is…

This content was published on Sep 16, 2009 The 49-year-old from canton Neuchâtel was elected with 129 votes in the fourth round of voting in parliament. His win enables the centre-right Radical Party to retain its two seats in the seven-member cabinet. Urs Schwaller of the centre-right Christian Democrats came second with 106 votes.

Swiss Politics

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Swiss Politics

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Medvedev pays tribute to past and present

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Minister makes online call for climate effort

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Young bears and past heroes mark Medvedev visit

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Copper thieves target railway cables

More

What could be more Swiss?

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Merz “sees no reason to resign”

More

Ex-minister nominated as UN assembly president

More

New cabinet member has “politics in his blood”

More

Chad poses new threat to Swiss-Libyan ties

More

And the winner is…

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