Swiss Politics

More stimulus for the Swiss economy?

This content was published on Dec 21, 2008 The government announced a stimulus package of about SFr650 million ($588.63 million) on Tuesday, its second to counter the crisis, as it forecast Switzerland was heading into its worst recession since 1991. The State Secretariat for Economic Affairs (Seco) said the economy would shrink by 0.8 per cent in 2009, but recover in 2010 with…

Swiss Politics

Bern prepares for threat from Somali pirates

This content was published on Dec 21, 2008 Couchepin, who is this year’s president, told the SonntagsZeitung newspaper that there was no other choice. “There is no other solution than to send soldiers if our ships are threatened,” he said. Couchepin commented that such action was not an act of war but a policing operation with volunteers to protect Swiss ships. However, he…

Swiss Politics

Visas cause problems for Swiss embassies

This content was published on Dec 20, 2008 A Schengen visa allows visitors to travel freely around many European countries that have stopped systematic passport controls on their borders. Switzerland joined the Schengen Area on December 12. Since then, various Swiss missions abroad have reported problems in adapting to the Schengen system rapidly. The foreign ministry said poor internet connections in some countries…

Swiss Politics

Concern mounts over Gaza crisis as truce ends

This content was published on Dec 19, 2008 Israel’s blockade of the Gaza Strip has stretched the humanitarian situation to breaking point, Issam Younis, a prominent Gaza human rights campaigner trusted by Hamas and Fatah, tells swissinfo. This “collective punishment” of Gaza civilians must end, says Younis, the director of the Al Mezan Center for Human Rights, while en route through Geneva. Unable…

Swiss Politics

Parliament through the eyes of a crime expert

This content was published on Dec 19, 2008 But parliamentarian Daniel Jositsch highlights a decision to ease a ban on the import of goods from the European Union and rejection of a government plan for extended powers to tackle suspected terrorists. The 43-year-old is a member of the centre-left Social Democratic Party, a professor of criminal law with experience in the business world…

Swiss Politics

“Rescue package” named Word of the Year

This content was published on Dec 19, 2008 It beat off competition from other terms linked to the financial crisis such as Boni (bonuses), Finanzspritze (cash injection) and Liquiditätsengpass (liquidity squeeze). Rettungspaket underwent a significant change in meaning during 2008, explained the jury of journalists. Before the crisis it referred to famines and natural catastrophes, whereas now people think of state intervention to…

Swiss Politics

Swiss re-elected to UN child rights committee

This content was published on Dec 18, 2008 The extension of Zermatten’s position on the 18-member committee, which oversees the implementation of the UN Convention on the Rights of the Child, is an affirmation of Switzerland’s position on human rights and development, the country’s ambassador to the UN in New York says. Peter Maurer expressed satisfaction at his colleague’s appointment and told swissinfo…

Swiss Politics

Looming recession raises debt question

This content was published on Dec 17, 2008 But a leading UBS economist has warned that the public might have to accept extraordinary measures, including expensive economic stimulus packages, as the world slips into a recession many fear will last a long time. The results of the “financial monitor” survey, published on Wednesday, showed overwhelming support for tax cuts, government frugality and an…

Swiss Politics

Rejected asylum seekers struggle to survive

This content was published on Dec 17, 2008 The level of “haphazard” assistance, which varies from canton to canton, is in breach of the constitution in some areas, according to the non-governmental Swiss Refugee Council, which has published a report on the issue. All rejected asylum seekers in Switzerland lost the right to social welfare payments at the beginning of 2008. However they…

Swiss Politics

Child rights activist to serve second UN term

This content was published on Dec 17, 2008 The 60-year-old from canton Valais is currently vice-chair of the committee and was approved in a first round of voting by signatory states with 125 votes, the best result of the 18 membership posts being reviewed. Zermatten said he was pleased to be re-elected and noted that it was one of the best signs of…

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