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Who knows what he’ll do now

This content was published on Jun 12, 2009 The Swiss interior minister will step down on 31 October, 2009. The move was no surprise. Pascal Couchepin had been under fire for his ideas to reform the Swiss health system, which has seen spiralling costs. A former mayor of Martigny, the 67-year-old Couchepin was elected to cabinet in 1998.

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Senate fails to crack down on fat cat salaries

This content was published on Jun 12, 2009 On Thursday the Senate rejected salary caps and a ban on special payments to senior managers. A people’s initiative had demanded the restrictions to counter what it considers excessive pay packages. But the Senate came out in favour of granting shareholders the right to set the remuneration for company board members. The other parliamentary chamber,…

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Couchepin throws in the towel

This content was published on Jun 12, 2009 Couchepin’s decision did not come as a real surprise for many, as there had been speculation for months. He had been under fire for his controversial ideas on reforming the Swiss health system, which has seen spiralling costs. Aged 67, Couchepin was elected to the cabinet in 1998 after many years as a member of…

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Reform of EU trade barriers approved

This content was published on Jun 11, 2009 The regulations apply mainly to cosmetics, clothes, textiles, furniture and foodstuffs under the so-called Cassis de Dijon rule. Both chambers on Thursday managed to iron out the final differences and agreed to give the Federal Health Office a say in the sale of food imported from the EU. The government said the reform would boost…

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Swiss ambassador elected to key UN committee

This content was published on Jun 11, 2009 It is the first time that Switzerland has presided over one of the main committees of the General Assembly. Ambassador Maurer’s term in office lasts a year and begins on September 15 when the General Assembly convenes. Among other things, the committee will negotiate the budget for the 2010-11 period and the new assessment scale…

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Erni’s peace wall

This content was published on Jun 11, 2009 Simon Bradley takes a look at Hans Erni’s spectacular new 60-metre mural that graces the entrance to the United Nations European headquarters in Geneva (Photos: Ville de Genève/Simon Bradley, swissinfo/Keystone).

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Bernese ex-minister gets his very own bear

This content was published on Jun 10, 2009 It was known in the village that Schmid was not just passionate about politics, but also about bears. At the unveiling of his statue, Schmid spoke to swissinfo.ch about the qualities he admires in the animals, and his hopes for the new bear enclosure in Bern, which opens later this year. The former cabinet minister…

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Parliament ponders health costs

This content was published on Jun 10, 2009 He said such a move mooted by the centre-left Green Party and the rightwing People’s Party would ruin the insurance companies. Couchepin called on parliament to approve a number of proposals, including a fee for doctor’s consultations and pledged to announce price cuts for certain medications by the end of the month. “The current financial…

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Swiss Politics

Swine influenza virus tally reaches 20

This content was published on Jun 10, 2009 The latest case, a 39-year-old man from canton Vaud who recently returned from New York, has been placed in quarantine along with members of his family. Another 28 suspected cases of the virus, known as swine flu, are being examined. Canton Vaud has the highest number of confirmed cases across the country. One cantonal resident…

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Swiss Politics

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Couchepin poll

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Who knows what he’ll do now

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Senate fails to crack down on fat cat salaries

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Couchepin throws in the towel

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Reform of EU trade barriers approved

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Swiss ambassador elected to key UN committee

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Erni’s peace wall

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Bernese ex-minister gets his very own bear

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Parliament ponders health costs

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Swine influenza virus tally reaches 20

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