Switzerland’s government plans to raise value-added tax (VAT) temporarily to finance a substantial increase in military and security spending. The Federal Council wants to raise an additional CHF 31bn over ten years through a 0.8-percentage-point increase in VAT. A detailed proposal is due in March. According to the defence minister, Switzerland is ill-prepared for an […]
Swiss railways set a new punctuality record
Switzerland’s state railway, Swiss Federal Railways, reported its best punctuality on record in 2025, with only 1 in 17 trains (5.9%) arriving late, down from 6.8% in 2024. In 2025, an average Swiss train commuter making the daily trip to and from work would have arrived late only 28 times across the year. Overall, 94.1% […]
Italy recalls ambassador after Swiss court frees Constellation bar owner
Italy has recalled its ambassador to Switzerland for consultations after a Swiss court released the owner of a bar destroyed by a fatal fire in the resort of Crans-Montana. Giorgia Meloni, Italy’s prime minister, said on Saturday that she was indignant at the decision to free Jacques Moretti, who is suspected of responsibility for the […]
Fire safety inspectors’ training varies sharply across Switzerland
The deadly fire in Crans-Montana has exposed wide disparities in how Switzerland’s cantons train those responsible for enforcing fire-safety rules. In the wake of the tragedy, the canton of Valais has acknowledged that the knowledge of communal safety officers is not always adequate and says it wants to strengthen training. The problem is structural. Although […]
Swiss parliamentary candidates to get unemployment payments without job hunting
Candidates for Switzerland’s parliament cannot be required to job-hunt during an election campaign merely because they might lose their seat. That is the conclusion of a ruling by the Swiss Federal Court, which has clarified how unemployment rules apply to outgoing MPs, reported SRF. Switzerland’s National Council and Council of States are citizen parliaments: members […]
Swiss motorists warned over electronic motorway-vignette scams
Drivers using Swiss motorways have until January 31st to buy the motorway vignette for 2026. But the Swiss authorities are urging caution: reports of fraud linked to the electronic version have risen sharply in recent weeks. Unofficial websites are charging inflated prices, sometimes bundling the purchase with hidden subscriptions. Some unwittingly buy a vignette from […]
“They’re only good because of us”, says Trump about Switzerland
In a long rambling address at the World Economic Forum in Davos, Donald Trump praised Switzerland as “an incredible brilliant place”, before criticising it for running a trade surplus of $41bn with the United States. He argued that the country prospers thanks largely to American largesse, declaring that “They’re only good because of us”. He […]
Lower-Swiss-broadcasting-fee initiative sets out its arguments
The campaign in favour of the initiative has been formally launched. The organisers’ central argument is cost. The proposal, which would cut Switzerland’s radio and television licence fee from CHF 355 per household to CHF 200 a year, will be put to a vote on March 8th. Consumers must be relieved of the financial burden, […]
Call for Swiss government to stop using X
X is no longer a normal social-media platform, said Cédric Wermuth, co-president of the Swiss Socialist Party, reported RTS. The party says it will submit a parliamentary motion on the subject unless the federal government and parliament withdraw from the platform. Mr Wermuth argues that conditions on X have deteriorated sharply in recent months. He […]
Swiss changes rules on flying with power banks
Passengers flying with Swiss or Edelweiss will need to rethink how they charge their devices. From January 15th 2026, both airlines prohibit the use of power banks on board. Only two may be carried per passenger, and only in hand luggage. Checked baggage has long been off limits. Phones, tablets and laptops may now be […]
