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 […]
Facebook gets all emotional with 5 new ways to express yourself
Facebook has launched Like’s five new siblings: Love; Haha; Wow; Sad; Angry. Together they are known as Reactions. The global launch took place on 24 February 2016. Facebook Product Manager Sammi Krug, said “We have been testing Reactions in a few markets since last year, and have received positive feedback so far. Today, we’re excited […]
How Switzerland brings far more than neutrality to international affairs
This week Renu Chahil-Graf interviews Switzerland’s UN Ambassador Alexandre Fasel. Alexandre talks about what Switzerland brings to international affairs and what lies behind it. During the interview he shows how he embodies it. A Walk in the Park with Ambassador Alexandre Fasel: Switzerland’s UN representative and Keeper of the Flame of International Geneva. Switzerland’s ambassador in […]
Swiss franc rises on ‘Brexit’ angst
Brought to you by Investec Switzerland. Once again, Switzerland is getting saddled with unwanted currency appreciation due to other nations’ struggles. The franc posted its biggest gain since August against the euro as concern that the U.K. may exit the European Union dragged down the pound and with it the 19-nation shared currency. China’s decision to cut […]
Why the new Swiss bank notes are set to become even more sought after
Swiss money is about to change. On 12 April 2016, the Swiss National Bank (SNB) will put a new 50-franc note into circulation. The new 20-franc note will be released the following year, and the other four denominations – 10, 100, 200 and 1,000, at half-yearly or yearly intervals after this date, with the last hitting […]
Foreigners scramble to apply for Swiss passports
Le Matin. Towns in the canton of Zurich have been overwhelmed with citizenship applications over the last few weeks. Some like Uster have seen applications increase 5-fold. What’s behind this sharp spike? According to the Tages-Anzeiger, the recent initiative due for vote on 28 February 2016, that could see over 10,000 foreign criminals deported from […]
