Almost 40,000 foreign permanent residents left Switzerland in the first half of 2026, 4.3% more than in the same period last year. According to the State Secretariat for Migration (SEM), this is part of a broader trend: emigration by foreign residents has been rising since 2023. At the same time, immigration is slowing. In the […]
Federal government sets new rules on 30km/h zones
At parliament’s request, the Federal Council said on Wednesday that, from October 1st, municipalities wishing to lower the limit on main roads will have to show that the change will not divert traffic into residential neighbourhoods, reported RTS. An expert assessment will be required to demonstrate that the lower limit is unlikely to cause undesirable […]
Federal Council opposes initiative to curb fossil-fuel funding
This week, the Federal Council said it opposes the popular initiative “For a sustainable and future-oriented financial centre in Switzerland” and has also rejected the idea of a counter-proposal. reported SRF. The initiative’s backers say it is intended to ensure that the Swiss financial centre no longer contributes to environmental damage and climate change through […]
Rejection of wage protection measures risks Swiss-EU deal
With parliament due to debate Switzerland’s package of agreements with the European Union next month, a committee in the upper house has rejected measures intended to protect wages, reported RTS. One has become particularly contentious: stronger safeguards for workers’ representatives against unfair dismissal. Trade unions now warn that they may oppose the agreements altogether. The […]
Swiss teachers’ unions say schools are ill-equipped for hot summers
Many children return to school next week. Switzerland’s sweltering summer has renewed concern over the condition of its schools, many of which are poorly equipped to cope with extreme heat. Meeting in Bern on Thursday, teachers’ unions warned that high temperatures can impair children’s ability to learn, reported RTS. Investing in school buildings means investing […]
Swiss drug discounts not being passed on is “organised theft”
A report by Switzerland’s Federal Audit Office (SFAO) showing that most discounts on medicines are not passed on to insured patients, as required by law, has prompted an angry response from parliamentarians. Speaking to RTS on Thursday, Baptiste Hurni, a Socialist Party MP, described the practice as organised theft. According to the SFAO report, published […]
Sharp rise in jihadist terrorism cases in Switzerland
Swiss federal prosecutors are conducting 140 investigations into suspected jihadist terrorism, according to RTS, the public broadcaster. That is the highest number on record. The cases involve, among other things, recruitment for banned terrorist organisations, their financing, the spread of propaganda, travel to join jihadist groups and the return of foreign fighters. Some concern alleged […]
Switzerland’s neutrality campaign kicks off ahead of September vote
Supporters of the “Safeguard Swiss Neutrality” initiative launched their campaign in Bern on Tuesday, arguing that a Yes vote on September 27th is needed to prevent the country’s neutrality from being steadily eroded, reported RTS. Walter Wobmann, a Solothurn MP from the Swiss People’s Party (UDC/SVP), presented the campaign to the media. As president of […]
Swiss Liberal Greens want less polluting cigarette filters
Around 1,000 tonnes of cigarette butts are discarded on the ground in Switzerland each year. The Green Liberal Party wants the federal government to do more to tackle the problem, including encouraging tobacco companies to redesign cigarette filters, reported RTS. Most filters are made from cellulose acetate, a polymer also used in the textile industry. […]
Swiss home battery sales are booming. The maths still doesn’t add up
Switzerland’s residential battery market is growing fast. Around half of new photovoltaic installations are now paired with storage, according to Swissolar. Falling battery prices, lower payments for surplus solar power and the prospect of more flexible electricity tariffs are all helping to drive demand. But popularity should not be confused with profitability. In Switzerland, solar […]
