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Swiss Politics

Explainer: the upcoming Swiss vote on compulsory civic service for all

On November 30, the Swiss will vote on expanding compulsory civic service to all citizens. What’s at stake?

By Katy Romy

Swiss Politics

What do you think about introducing civic service for everyone to replace military service?

By Katy Romy

Civil protection service member hauling chopped wood

Democracy

Campaigners gather enough signatures for proposed Swiss militia reform

By Keystone-SDA

Swiss Politics

The Swiss army: your questions answered

By Julie Hunt

Neuchâtel and Zurich are as hot today as Italy 50 years ago

This content was published on Oct 14, 2025 Current temperatures in Switzerland are similar to those found much further south a few decades ago, RTS reports.

Inside Geneva: are democracies copying Russia’s repressive policies?

This content was published on Oct 14, 2025 A UN report finds that freedom of expression in Russia is now so repressed it is virtually silenced. Are other countries adopting similarly repressive tactics?

The Senate will debate the relief package 27 in the coming winter session.

Petition launched to save Swissinfo from government cuts

This content was published on Oct 6, 2025 The Swiss government wants to abolish the Swiss Broadcasting Corporation’s foreign mandate as part of a savings package. A petition is calling for the preservation of Swissinfo and the international programme.

A man packs cardboard boxes into a van during a house moving, pictured on January 31, 2009 in Zurich, Switzerland. (KEYSTONE/Urs Jaudas) Ein Mann verstaut am 31. Januar 2009 in Zuerich waehrend eines Umzuges Kartonschachteln in einem Lieferwagen. (KEYSTONE/Urs Jaudas)

Switzerland Today

This content was published on Oct 14, 2025 Swiss are leaving home later than ever. Plus, could UBS one day leave Switzerland altogether?

The UN and democracy – how do they interact?

This content was published on Oct 13, 2025 Does multilateralism still help to strengthen democracy? Experts and a former UN director-general in Geneva provide insights.

The humanitarian cost of Israel’s war in Gaza

This content was published on Oct 9, 2025 From UN warnings in Geneva to eyewitness accounts from Gaza, Swissinfo documents two years of the Hamas-Israel war and its devastating humanitarian toll.

Realistic fantasy: Israel’s 3D propaganda

This content was published on Oct 13, 2025 Israel has used 3D animated videos to shape perceptions of the war in Gaza. But how much of it is real?

Geopolitics

Inside Geneva: Are democracies copying Russia’s repressive playbook?

Realistic fantasy: Israel’s 3D propaganda

meeting of lots of diplomats and politicians

The UN and democracy – how do they interact?

A solidarity rally for Gaza in front of the Federal Palace in Bern in June 2025.

Could voters decide whether Switzerland recognises Palestine?

The Davos set in decline: can the World Economic Forum save itself?

The humanitarian cost of Israel’s war in Gaza

Illustration: Kai Reusser / SWI swissinfo.ch

Amid people smuggling and terrorism, Swiss tackle root causes in African hotspot

A record price of gold, criticism of US science policy – and the return of McCarthyism?

UBS fund holds 30% exposure linked to First Brands

Timeline: Switzerland and the war in the Middle East since October 7, 2023

UBS gaining support for compromise on Swiss capital rules

Sevastopol in the Crimea in May 1944, the war is over. This photo has the title: "Life goes on".

Why studying Eastern European history is so political

Displaced Palestinians move with their belongings southwards.

How the UN is navigating diplomacy, international law and humanitarian aid in Gaza

How do restrictions on internet access affect you?

Photo of physiotherapists working in a tent in Gaza

Inside Geneva’s final summer profile: ICRC physiotherapist Rieke Hayes

Middle East crisis

Initiative calls for recognition of the State of Palestine

Swiss initiative demands Palestinian state recognition

This content was published on Oct 14, 2025 Coalition launches popular initiative for Switzerland to officially recognise Palestine as a state.

Peace summit in Egypt: Switzerland will not be present

Switzerland absent from Egypt peace summit

This content was published on Oct 13, 2025 Switzerland will not be present at Egypt-hosted peace summit to end conflict between Israel and Hamas.

Police officials: 'severe punishment for violent protesters'

Swiss police condemn pro-Palestinian demo violence

This content was published on Oct 13, 2025 Police demand punishment for troublemakers at pro-Palestinian demo that turned violent.

18 police officers injured during the pro-Palestine demonstration in Bern on Saturday

Pro-Palestine protest in Bern: 18 police officers injured

This content was published on Oct 12, 2025 Eighteen police officers were injured during a pro-Palestinian protest in the Swiss capital Bern on Saturday, according to local police.

5,000 people hold a tense demonstration in Berne in support of Palestine

Thousands join pro-Palestinian protest in Bern amid clashes with police

This content was published on Oct 12, 2025 Around 5,000 people marched through the Swiss capital, Bern, on Saturday to protest against the war in Gaza.

ICRC to support implementation of Israel-Hamas agreement

This content was published on Oct 10, 2025 The ICRC will help reunite Israeli hostages and Palestinian detainees with their families under the agreement between Israel and Hamas.

Could voters decide whether Switzerland recognises Palestine?

This content was published on Oct 10, 2025 A committee wants to force the Swiss government to recognise Palestine as a state – by referendum. Is that possible?

Police from several cantons at the Middle East demo in Bern on Saturday

Heavy police presence planned for Saturday Middle East protest in Bern

This content was published on Oct 10, 2025 Police in Bern plan a major deployment for an unauthorised Middle East protest on Saturday, aided by emergency teams from other cantons to protect the public and critical sites.

People in streets of Tel Aviv, Israel, on October 9, 2025.

Switzerland ‘welcomes progress’ on Gaza peace plan

This content was published on Oct 9, 2025 Switzerland welcomes the first phase of an agreed peace plan for the Gaza Strip, Foreign Minister Ignazio Cassis said on Thursday on X.

Gaza: the last members of the Swiss flotilla return home

Last Swiss members of Gaza flotilla return home

This content was published on Oct 8, 2025 Nine Swiss activists from the Gaza flotilla return home to Geneva.

Tear gas used to keep demonstrators away in Geneva

Geneva police use tear gas against pro-Palestinian protestors

This content was published on Oct 8, 2025 Geneva police deploy tear gas after pro-Palestinian protests escalate near train station.

Gaza flotilla: the last ten Swiss expelled from Israel

Gaza flotilla: last ten Swiss deported from Israel

This content was published on Oct 7, 2025 The last ten Swiss participants in the Gaza flotilla were deported from Israel to Jordan on Tuesday.

Keller-Sutter calls for peace in the Middle East

Swiss president calls for peace in Middle East

This content was published on Oct 7, 2025 On the second anniversary of the attacks on Israel by Palestinian militant group Hamas, Karin Keller-Sutter has called for peace. “It is high time to end the violence,” the Swiss president tweeted on Tuesday.

No Swiss among 171 Gaza flotilla activists expelled by Israel

This content was published on Oct 6, 2025 Israel said on Monday that it had expelled a further 171 activists linked to the Gaza aid flotilla, including Sweden’s Greta Thunberg.

Gaza: Swiss members of the flotilla have returned to Switzerland

Swiss Gaza flotilla activists fear for remaining detainees in Israel

This content was published on Oct 6, 2025 Eight Swiss participants of the Gaza humanitarian aid flotilla arrived in Geneva on Sunday afternoon and said they had been treated ‘inhumanely’ while in detention in Israel.

Global trade war

US duties, '20,000 jobs in Switzerland in worst-case scenario'

‘Around 20,000 jobs at risk’ in Switzerland over US tariffs

This content was published on Oct 8, 2025 UBS economist warns up to 20,000 Swiss jobs could be at risk from US tariffs.

Swiss watch industry faces problems due to US tariffs

Study: Swiss watch industry shows resilience in face of US tariffs

This content was published on Oct 8, 2025 Swiss watch exports show resilience despite US tariffs and strong franc.

The President of the Confederation meets Pope Leo XIV

Swiss president discusses tariffs with Pope Leo XIV

This content was published on Oct 3, 2025 Swiss president discusses tariffs and global affairs with Pope Leo XIV in the Vatican.

Government circles: New US pharmaceutical tariffs to start later

US delays pharma tariffs to push for more drug pricing deals

This content was published on Oct 2, 2025 US delays pharma tariffs, urging companies to relocate production or lower prices.

Pharma tariffs could trigger Swiss recession, warns economist

This content was published on Sep 30, 2025 US tariffs on pharmaceutical products could lead to a recession in Switzerland but there remains a lot of uncertainty.

Swiss economy likely to grow much slower than expected in 2026

Tariffs dampen Swiss economic growth prospects

This content was published on Sep 24, 2025 Swiss economy likely to grow much more slowly in 2026 than was assumed in the summer.

US tariffs force Switzerland to rethink trade ties

This content was published on Sep 24, 2025 United States trade policy is rattling countries worldwide and prompting them to redirect trade flows at record speed.

If the Swiss Army knife is made in America, is it still Swiss?

This content was published on Sep 22, 2025 US President Donald Trump’s 39% tariff on Switzerland has forced some companies to consider whether they could produce in the US while still retaining their Swiss identity.

Swiss Jura region hit hard by US tariffs

This content was published on Sep 18, 2025 Since the beginning of September, more than 100 Jura companies, employing a total of 4,000 people, have applied for short-time work compensation.

Fall in watch exports to the United States in August

Swiss watch exports to US take tumble amid high tariffs

This content was published on Sep 18, 2025 Swiss watch exports went into a tailspin in August, plummeting by almost a quarter, following a 45% jump in July.

Ricola: new factory opening postponed, US duties weighed

Ricola postpones new Swiss factory opening due to US tariffs

This content was published on Sep 17, 2025 Ricola delays new Swiss factory plans due to US tariffs, with investments and 100 jobs on hold.

Global customs dispute weighs on Swiss labour market

Global tariff dispute weighs on Swiss labour market

This content was published on Sep 17, 2025 Swiss employers expect fewer hires in late 2025 as global tariffs bite.

Companies respond to customs duties with automation and regionalisation

Swiss firms react to tariffs with automation and local production

This content was published on Sep 16, 2025 According to a survey, Swiss companies have taken several measures in response to the recently announced tariffs by the United States, including increasing efficiency and automation.

Can Switzerland lower agricultural tariffs to negotiate a better deal with the US?

This content was published on Sep 15, 2025 The European Union, which wrangled a much lower US tariff, offered concessions on certain food imports. Is this an option for Switzerland?