Every year, Switzerland’s Federal Council publishes a photograph reflecting the theme for the year, which is chosen by the new president. This year’s theme is the unique character of Swiss democracy. Photographer Arthur Gamsa took photos of people across Switzerland and used them to create a mosaic of more than 1,000 faces. This mosaic forms […]
Switzerland’s rapidly disappearing public car parking
Since 2015, around 11,000 public car park spaces have been removed in cities and large towns across Switzerland, according to recent analysis reported by Tages Anzeiger. More than 3,000 parking places have been removed in both Geneva and in Zurich, more than 2,500 in Lausanne, nearly 1,500 in Basel and around 1,300 in Bern. Cities […]
Tiktoc inspired school shooting threats create headache for Swiss police
Recent threats of school shootings in several Swiss cantons have created extra work for the local police, reported SRF. The threats seem to be inspired by posts on the social media platform Tiktok. Around one month ago, a shooting threat was found posted in a school toilet in Muttenz in the canton of Basel Landschaft. […]
Swiss tax free allowance cut from 1 January 2025
Until 31 December 2024 it was possible to enter Switzerland with CHF 300 of shopping per person per day without paying Swiss VAT. From 1 January 2025, the limit is CHF 150 per person per day. The Federal Council decided in October 2024 to cut the tax-free limit, despite negative reactions from many consumers and […]
Switzerland’s new president in 2025
Every year, Switzerland gets a new president. It happens so often that some Swiss people don’t know the name of their head of state. The role of Swiss president doesn’t come with the power of most presidencies. Switzerland’s president is selected from the seven-member Federal Council and the role comes with no additional constitutional powers […]
Swiss emergency rescue numbers rise sharply this Christmas
Over the three days of the Christmas period the Swiss Air Rescue Service Rega flew more than 150 rescue missions, an average of more than 50 a day, reported SRF. The number of air rescue flights over the 24th, 25th and 26th of December 2024 was 20% higher than over the same period in 2023. […]
Swiss ski accidents rise significantly among those over 40
Data published this week by the Swiss insurance company Suva, show a rise in the number of people over 40 involved in ski accidents. Every year, around 35,000 people are injured while skiing in Switzerland. Accidents are often due to poor physical condition, fatigue or over confidence. These injuries are costly. Suva estimates that around […]
Verbier misses emission busting opportunity
Holidays generate greenhouse gas and ski holidays are no exception. However, if no flying is involved, ski holidays can be relatively low carbon. The carbon consulting firm ecollective, includes a train-based ski trip to France (from the UK) among its list of lowest-carbon holidays. Transport fairly obviously accounts for most of the emissions associated with […]
Swiss-EU negotiations now complete
On 20 December 2024, EU Commission President Ursula von der Leyen visited Bern to conclude the long negotiations between Switzerland and the EU on their future relationship, reported RTS. Von der Leyen described the deal as a historic agreement that is all the more important given the tense global situation. In times of war and economic […]
Swiss environmental vote next February likely to fail
A poll published on 20 December 2024 suggests next February’s referendum on the environment is likely to fail, reported RTS. The initiative is vague, however, it aims to reduce economic activity and consumption to a level that allows the environment to regenerate back to its natural level. The natural resources used and the pollution emitted […]
