Brought to you by Investec Switzerland. The Swiss economy returned to growth at the end of last year as it fought off the impact of a currency shock that had threatened to push the country into a recession. Gross domestic product rose 0.4 percent in the three months through December, after contracting 0.1 percent in the […]
Why Zurich beats Geneva on quality of life
Mercer, a consulting firm, recently published it’s 2016 quality of life ranking of 230 cities around the world. Both Zurich and Geneva made the global top ten. But what puts Zurich second, six places ahead of Geneva at number eight? The survey is used by multinational companies to compensate employees fairly when placing them on international […]
No relief for Swiss renters despite falling interest rates
Every three months the rate of interest used to set Swiss rents is reviewed. If it goes down some renters have the right to request a decrease in rent. Unlike on 2 June 2015, when it was reduced from 2.00% to 1.75%, giving many a chance to reduce their rent, on 2 March 2016, it was left at 1.75% […]
The sort of skiing that could get you arrested
Candide Thovex. Some will have heard of him some might not have. He’s French, comes from La Clusaz – about 40 minutes from Geneva, started skiing at two, and is considered by many to be the world’s most accomplished freestyle and freeride skier. In 2007, he fractured his spine attempting a 45 metre jump. His career seemed over. A few […]
After the vote the UDC poster with the black and white sheep gets a makeover
As the Swiss referendum to automatically expel foreign criminals looks set to fail the hashtag #happysheeps has sprung up on Twitter. Here is a selection of Tweets: Quand Twitter se moque de la défaite de l’#UDC #CHvote #UDC > Tous les #happysheeps https://t.co/68pQzov0Pa pic.twitter.com/osLumuPC7T — Le Matin (@Lematinch) 28 février 2016 Résultats acruels du #CHvote […]
Counting the votes. Swiss vote results 28 February 2016.
The votes have been counted. The Swiss Statistics Office charts below show results by canton and district. To display the percentage results for a canton or district click on it. The charts can be switched from canton to district by clicking on the dropdown menu in the top right of each chart. The initiatives to […]
A roundup of the four national referenda on 28 February 2016
The pros and cons of a new Alpine road tunnel Swiss vote to automatically expel foreign criminals. Sensible or perverse? Swiss vote to ban food speculation. Clever or cuckoo? Helping a few at the expense of many – Swiss vote against penalising marriage For more stories like this on Switzerland follow us on Facebook and Twitter.
The SMI’s limited exposure to oil and energy left it trailing global gains
26 February 2016 – Swiss and global market roundup. Brought to you by Investec Switzerland. The SMI is set to close modestly higher this week, although lagging behind gains of global equity markets. Stock markets around the world benefited from a substantial rebound in the price of crude oil this week which has been a key […]
Should a Geneva city employee be allowed to wear a veil while working with the public?
Tribune de Genève. This question is causing a political storm in Geneva after a member of staff working for the city’s cultural department came to work wearing a veil covering her hair, something she had not worn when she was hired. Geneva’s Administrative Council is currently looking at the question. Sami Kanaan, head of the […]
Swiss 2016 health insurance refunds. Do you live in one of the lucky cantons?
Last week Switzerland’s federal administration published this year’s health insurance refunds. The largest sums were awarded to the residents of Geneva and Vaud. In 2014, the Swiss parliament decided to compensate the insured for excessive health insurance premiums charged between the beginning of 1996 and the end of 2013. The difference between premiums paid and […]
