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Democracy

When is a democracy no longer a democracy?

Beyond Switzerland’s borders, democracy is under pressure. But with gradual decay as much the cause as violent coups, it’s not always clear when, or if, it really “ends”.

By Domhnall O’Sullivan

Democracy

Democracy over autocracy: the Swiss like their form of government

By Ruth Wittwer

Global elections

How our readers view democracy and its opponents

By Benjamin von Wyl

people looking at vote information in a window

Democracy

A delicate export: how Swiss foreign policy promotes democracy

By Domhnall O’Sullivan

Swiss organisation wins award for tracking data centre pollution

This content was published on Apr 16, 2026 The Swiss Datacenter Efficiency Association has received international recognition for a computer that measures, for the first time, the environmental and climate impact of a data centre.

A campaign to allow a limited "Right to Be Forgotten" is trying to provide better financial security for thousands of former cancer patients.

Cured but uninsurable: the hidden financial burden of surviving cancer in Switzerland

This content was published on Apr 15, 2026 More people are surviving cancer than ever before. But in Switzerland a historical diagnosis can follow former patients for years.

A shot of an aeroplane from below, with barbed wire in the background

Afghanistan’s Taliban tap Swiss, other travellers for flyover fees

This content was published on Apr 16, 2026 The alternative flight route over Afghanistan is pouring money into the Taliban’s coffers.

Switzerland Today

This content was published on Apr 16, 2026 A fake Covid certificate ultimately costs Swiss national ice hockey coach Patrick Fischer his job.

‘No to ten million’ vote – should Switzerland cap its population?

This content was published on Apr 14, 2026 On June 14, the Swiss will vote on a right-wing initiative aiming to cap immigration.

US news reported by the Swiss media

Every Wednesday: “Swiss views of US news”

Switzerland wants a global roadmap to phase out fossil fuels

This content was published on Apr 13, 2026 With oil and gas at the center of global tensions, a first-of-its kind international conference aims to revive the transition away from fossil fuels.

Geopolitics

Afghanistan’s Taliban tap Swiss, other travellers for flyover fees

Will Trump carry out his threat to remove US troops from Europe?

AI armageddon, NATO alliance wobbles and SpaceX going public

Men standing in front of a spherical vehicle, in black and white

From e-cigarettes to lab devices: surprising facts about Swiss patents

Inside Geneva: can the UN survive?

Switzerland’s Zug becomes bolt-hole for Gulf-based wealth

Swiss entrepreneurs are staying put in Dubai

Public support for the army, Jamie Dimon’s warnings, and the Artemis II Moon mission

Iran-US: the stakes of disruption at Hormuz for Switzerland

MAGA ‘dream girl’ Jessica Foster, No Kings demo, and 50 years of Apple

Swiss public mistrusts Google, TikTok and Meta

Inside Geneva: women in peace

A trader reacts as he watches the stock market on his screen

Swiss banks prepare for Gulf clients

Switzerland faces a steep energy bill due to the Middle East conflict

Human rights film festival mirrors uncertain future for International Geneva

Photo of group of women crushing shea nuts.

How Swiss support is helping Benin’s women use shea butter to resist terrorism

Middle East conflict

Zurich Airport with more passengers in March despite Iran war

Passenger numbers at Zurich airport rose in March despite Iran war

This content was published on Apr 15, 2026 Zurich Airport sees 4.9% rise in March passengers despite Middle East conflict.

Ten countries call for end to fighting in Lebanon

Switzerland among ten countries calling for end to fighting in Lebanon

This content was published on Apr 15, 2026 Switzerland and nine countries urge a halt to fighting in Lebanon and respect for civilians.

SWISS continues to suspend flights to Dubai

This content was published on Apr 14, 2026 Swiss will suspend its flights to and from Dubai until July 11.

The ICRC distributes its first aid shipments to Iran

ICRC delivers humanitarian aid to Iran

This content was published on Apr 14, 2026 ICRC convoy delivers humanitarian supplies in Tehran.

Ice hockey World Cup cushions Zurich hotel losses due to Middle East conflict

Ice hockey World Cup cushions Zurich hotel losses resulting from Middle East conflict

This content was published on Apr 12, 2026 The Ice Hockey World Championships are helping Zurich hotels to cushion the loss of overnight stays caused by the conflict in the Middle East.

Switzerland’s Zug becomes bolt-hole for Gulf-based wealth

This content was published on Apr 12, 2026 Small Swiss town is welcoming individuals and companies seeking refuge from war in the Middle East.

Swiss entrepreneurs are staying put in Dubai

This content was published on Apr 11, 2026 Despite the conflict in the region and its impact on investments, Swiss entrepreneurs based in Dubai are determined not to leave.

Swiss shoppers are less enthusiastic about spending

Swiss consumer sentiment slumps amid Iran war

This content was published on Apr 10, 2026 Consumer sentiment in Switzerland deteriorated significantly in March.

Nine Swiss on board a fleet en route to Gaza

Nine Swiss to join new flotilla bound for Gaza

This content was published on Apr 10, 2026 Nine Swiss citizens will sail to Gaza with a new international flotilla.

Switzerland joins other countries in calling for protection for aid workers in Lebanon

Switzerland calls for end to Lebanon violence

This content was published on Apr 10, 2026 Switzerland among seven countries calling for immediate end to fighting in Lebanon.

How the war in Iran is affecting the Swiss food industry

This content was published on Apr 9, 2026 From chocolate sales at airports to fertiliser trade bottlenecks – the Swiss food and commodity industry is already feeling the impact of the war in the Middle East.

Global trade war

Swiss metal suppliers: US customs rules are a factor of uncertainty

Swiss metals and machine industry worried about new US tariff rules

This content was published on Apr 4, 2026 They expect more uncertainty and a higher administrative burden.

USA imposes high pharmaceutical tariffs - 15 per cent rate for Switzerland

US imposes 15% tariff on Swiss pharma products

This content was published on Apr 3, 2026 American President Donald Trump has announced tariffs of up to 100% on the import of patented medicines into the US.

US towards imposition of 100% duties on certain drugs

US expected to impose 100% tariffs on certain drugs: report

This content was published on Apr 2, 2026 The United States is preparing to impose 100% tariffs on certain drugs of pharma companies that haven’t reached an agreement with the White House, the Financial Times reports.

Trade agreement: Parmelin, negotiations with US beyond 31 March

Switzerland to extend US trade talks beyond March deadline, says Parmelin

This content was published on Mar 29, 2026 Switzerland will continue negotiating a trade agreement with the US beyond the planned March 31 deadline, Swiss President Guy Parmelin said on Saturday.

USA launches investigation against Switzerland for unfair trade

Bern discusses US investigation into unfair trading

This content was published on Mar 20, 2026 The United States has opened an investigation against Switzerland for unfair trading practices.

USA also initiates new investigation against Switzerland after tariff slapdown

US launches trade investigation against Switzerland

This content was published on Mar 12, 2026 US launches new trade probe into Switzerland and other countries over manufacturing capacity.

Swiss parliamentarians hold economic talks in the USA

Swiss lawmakers hold trade talks in US

This content was published on Feb 26, 2026 Swiss lawmakers discuss prospects for a possible bilateral trade agreement in Washington.

Swiss government says new US tariffs will replace old ones

This content was published on Feb 25, 2026 The new US tariffs do not come on top of the existing measures applicable to each country, the Swiss government said on Wednesday.

Swiss companies want to reclaim US tariffs

This content was published on Feb 23, 2026 The first Swiss companies want to reclaim overpaid US customs duties. However, many questions remain unanswered.

"We have to live with customs duties", warns SECO

‘We’ll have to live with US tariffs,’ warns SECO head

This content was published on Feb 22, 2026 The Swiss State Secretariat for Economic Affairs (SECO) is calling for patience after the US Supreme Court ruled that some of the US tariffs were illegal.

US tax yo-yo: a blur for Swiss companies

US tax yo-yo blurs situation for Swiss companies

This content was published on Feb 22, 2026 Donald Trump’s decision to impose a 15% global tariff is not fundamentally affecting Swiss exporters, say some analysts. Others believe companies are still in limbo.

Could direct democracy trip up Swiss trade deals?

This content was published on Feb 20, 2026 As global trade rules fray, countries are scrambling to shore up export markets and diversify partners. For Switzerland, this could come with an added complication: the ballot box.

Donald Trump takes another swipe at Switzerland

Trump repeats claim that Switzerland ‘rips off the United States’

This content was published on Feb 11, 2026 US President Donald Trump told Fox Business that countries such as Switzerland prosper because “we allow them to rip us off”.