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Swiss Politics

Debate over security and crime gets a new spin

This content was published on Oct 27, 2008 Their new position, adopted by party delegates at a meeting over the weekend, is in line with those of their counterparts in other European countries, says political scientist Georg Lutz from Lausanne University. The Social Democrats – Switzerland’s second largest political group after the rightwing People’s Party – came out in favour of expelling foreigners…

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Swiss Politics

Progressing from taboo to superloo

This content was published on Oct 27, 2008 But for the forty per cent of the world’s population who still do not have access to toilets at all, the consequences can be fatal: 1.8 million people die annually as a result of poor sanitation facilities, says the Swiss aid agency Helvetas. Where there are no adequate toilet facilities and people are forced to…

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Swiss Politics

US face-off has Swiss Americans ready to vote

This content was published on Oct 27, 2008 swissinfo spoke to a Republican, a Democrat and an undecided voter, and all three – despite different political views – believe the race is far from over and that much could happen before the November 4 vote. Most polls have placed Barack Obama, the Democratic candidate, ahead of John McCain, the Republican. But the tone…

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Swiss Politics

EU backs Swiss over tax blacklist spat

This content was published on Oct 26, 2008 Michael Reiterer said that Switzerland could not be compared with Liechtenstein over tax issues. “Switzerland has concluded a taxation of savings agreement with the EU, an anti-fraud agreement is being ratified, and Switzerland cooperates over stopping money laundering,” Reiterer told the Sonntag newspaper. “This is a different situation to Liechtenstein.” German Finance Minister Peer Steinbrück…

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Swiss Politics

Zurich’s cycling mayor rides city to success

This content was published on Oct 26, 2008 Ledergerber tells swissinfo about the ups and downs of his job, the effect of the financial crisis on Zurich and his thoughts on winning second place in the World Mayor competition. The mayor, who has been in office since 2002, announced on Wednesday that he was stepping down to spend more time with his youngest…

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Swiss Politics

Controversial housing opens for asylum seekers

This content was published on Oct 25, 2008 The eastern canton of Graubünden has adopted this solution and has set up three containers on a patch of waste ground in the industrial area of Waldau/Landquart, not far from the cantonal capital, Chur. The first eight occupants have already been in Switzerland for some time, and their request for asylum has been turned down.…

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Swiss Politics

Fate of drug laws hazy but voters will decide

This content was published on Oct 24, 2008 A first opinion poll found that the prescription of heroin for addicts stands a good chance of passing on November 30. However, a proposal to decriminalise cannabis attracts neither a clear majority of supporters nor opponents six weeks before the ballot. “Both camps are equally strong and the debate focuses on whether hemp is a…

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Swiss Politics

Leuenberger proposes plan to dim electricity price hikes

This content was published on Oct 24, 2008 The national power grid operator, Swissgrid, caused a public outcry when it announced in late September that electricity prices would double over the next five years. Leuenberger said the proposed measures would include a reform on how power grids depreciate and a reduction in reserve energy costs. Both are needed to stabilise power levels and…

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Swiss Politics

Federal Court overturns swimming ruling

This content was published on Oct 24, 2008 In making the ruling, announced on Friday, the court overturned its own decision of 1993. The case was brought by the father of two primary schoolchildren in the northern canton of Schaffhausen, who wanted permission for his sons to opt out of swimming classes. His request had been turned down at every level before failing…

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Swiss Politics

The right to vote

This content was published on Oct 24, 2008 Women finally gained the vote in Switzerland in 1971, after a long campaign. Before that male voters had always rejected the move. Old posters show how the subject was often an emotional one.

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