This week, an error was found in the government’s calculation of the future hole in state pension funding. While the error, which overstates the shortfall by CHF 4 billion, is substantial, it does not change the trend, according to Stéphane Rossini, head of the Federal Statistical Office (FSO), reported RTS. The CHF 4 billion error […]
A look back at Swiss resistance to seat belt laws
Thirty years ago, Switzerland introduced rules making it compulsory to wear seatbelts in any seat where seatbelts are fitted. This made wearing seatbelts in rear seats compulsory for the first time, reported RTS. Adding a requirement to wear rear seatbelts was met with little resistance. However, in 1980 when a referendum was run on whether […]
Swiss hospitals lost a billion francs in 2023
Switzerland’s health system is under strain. New drugs and treatments combined with an ageing population, along with cost inflation are the main drivers. This week, KPMG published a report quantifying the hole in Switzerland’s hospital finances. Only 30% (14) of the 48 hospitals and clinics surveyed reported generating a profit. The other 70% were running […]
Swiss car battery recycler set for launch
A popular criticism of electric cars is the toxic battery waste they create. In response to this criticism and for the benefit of the environment a new factory in the Swiss town of Biberist in the canton of Solothurn is aiming to recycle 97% of the components of a range of car batteries, reported SRF. […]
Swiss court sets new precedent on divorce payments
Under Swiss law, divorcees can demand spousal payments from their former partner up until the age of retirement. This week, a federal court decided against these payments, setting a new precedent that could potentially affect all women negotiating a divorce settlement, reported SRF. Historically, spousal maintenance payments were designed to support mothers who had decided […]
Calls to end bank secrecy for Swiss residents
Under international pressure, Switzerland removed banking secrecy for foreign residents in 2009. However, laws ensuring bank secrecy for residents of Switzerland remain. Some politicians are now calling for the removal of all banking secrecy laws in the hope that it will increase tax revenue, reported RTS. With Switzerland’s federal government budget in the red politicians […]
Government advises Swiss to leave Lebanon
On 31 July 2024, Switzerland’s Federal Department of Foreign Affairs (FDFA) advised all Swiss nationals to leave Lebanon. In addition, it advised against travel to the country. Middle eastern conflict, which has been highly volatile since 7 October 2023, has had a significant impact on the security situation in Lebanon, wrote the agency. There have […]
Switzerland to return to Afghanistan
Switzerland will reopen its humanitarian office in Afghanistan in autumn 2024 instead of summer as initially announced, reported SRF. Four employees will be sent from Switzerland to oversee humanitarian projects financed by the Swiss federal government in the Afghan capital Kabul. According to the newspaper NZZ am Sonntag, a spokesperson for Switzerland’s Foreign Ministry confirmed […]
Swiss court decides fathers have no say in abortion
This week, Switzerland’s federal court rejected a man’s case against his ex-girlfriend, who had undergone a late stage abortion, reported SRF. Abortions are legal in Switzerland if they take place in the first twelve weeks of pregnancy. If a woman has an abortion later, except in cases where her health is at risk, she faces […]
Calls for compulsory dog training courses in Switzerland as dog biting incidents rise
Switzerland, has a population of around 9 million people and roughly 560,000 dogs. These high numbers are one reason behind a rise in the number of dog bites. The number of reported incidents of dog biting has risen across German-speaking Switzerland. In 2023, 840 incidents (+27%) were recorded in the canton of Zurich alone, up […]
