Switzerland’s Federal Council is seeking to lift the country’s ban on new nuclear power plants. This week, it presented a counter-proposal to the “Stop Blackout” initiative aimed at securing the country’s energy supply, reported RTS. However, many political parties, cantons and energy stakeholders remain unconvinced. Opposition from the Green Party, the Green Liberals and the […]
FIFA: court acquits Blatter and Platini on fraud allegations a second time
This week, a Swiss court upheld the acquittal of former FIFA president Joseph Blatter and former UEFA president Michel Platini on fraud charges, SRF reported. The public prosecutor had sought suspended prison sentences of one year and eight months for the two defendants over questionable payments. However, both Blatter (89) and Platini (69) were acquitted. […]
Swiss central bank cuts interest rate to 2.5 year low
While many central banks, such as the US Fed and the Bank of England, are holding off on rate cuts, the Swiss National Bank (SNB) is diving in. On 20 March 2025, the SNB cut its interest rate by a further 0.25 percentage points to 0.25%. The rate hasn’t been this low since September 2022, […]
Switzerland approves trade deal with India
On 21 March 2025, Switzerland’s parliament approved an historic trade deal with India. The deal will give Swiss businesses an advantage over EU, US and UK competitors whose governments have yet to reach trade deals with India. The deal was supported by 131 versus 22 parliamentary votes. The main opposition came from Socialist Party members […]
Swiss inflation falls further in January
Switzerland’s consumer price index (CPI) fell by 0.1% in January 2025. Across 12 months inflation was +0.4%, reported the Federal Statistical Office (FSO). Annual inflation at the end of January 2025 is the lowest it has been since April 2021 when it was +0.3%. While many nations, such as the UK and the US, are […]
Swiss milk producers demand 1 franc a litre
Relative to the price of many things, the price of milk in Switzerland is low. A litre of milk in a Swiss supermarket typically costs between CHF 1.50 and CHF 2.00. Plant milk alternatives often cost close to CHF 3.00. Of the retail price paid for milk only 70 cents makes it into the pockets […]
Swiss bankruptcies expected to rise sharply this year
Authorities in several Swiss cantons are gearing up for a sharp rise in the number of bankruptcies this year, possibly double the number in 2024, reported SRF. Some cantons are employing new staff to deal with the sharp rise, which is partly due to a change in the rules. Many companies on the edge of […]
Switzerland to allow personal bankruptcy
Currently, it is impossible for individuals to legally escape their debts in Switzerland, even when they have no chance of ever paying them back. Some find themselves trapped in debt for the rest of their lives. This week, the Federal Council unveiled a new legal procedure that will offer some heavily indebted people a second […]
Swiss supermarkets require customers to choose fruit and vegetable bags
Since the beginning of the year, a new step has been added to buying fresh fruit and vegetables in Swiss supermarkets. Previously, the produce went on the scales, the relevant number was entered, a button pushed, and a price sticker produced. Now there’s an extra step: a bag choice must be made. What is going […]
The Body Shop to shut down in Switzerland
This week, the shut down of The Body Shop in Switzerland was announced, reported SRF. The brand’s 33 remaining shops will close in May 2025. The Body Shop Switzerland is a franchise owned and operated by the Coop supermarket group. Coop has said that it will not extend the franchise contract, which ends in May […]
