The Swiss government has opened a consultation on a counter-proposal to a new popular initiative on corporate responsibility, arguing that companies should respect human rights and the environment without undermining their competitiveness. A previous initiative failed in 2020, winning a majority of voters but not of cantons. A watered-down counter-proposal came into force in 2022, […]
For the first time in Switzerland, people aged 65 and over outnumber those under 20
Provisional figures for 2025 from the Federal Statistical Office show a steadily ageing population. By the end of the year, Switzerland’s permanent resident population had reached 9.12m, up 0.8% (+73,300 people) on 2024. Those 65 and over now slightly outnumber the young. There are 1.81m residents aged 65 or more, compared with 1.80m under 20. […]
Switzerland could abandon purchase of the Patriot air-defence system
Switzerland could abandon its planned purchase of the Patriot air-defence system, Martin Pfister, the minister of defence, said on Wednesday, as delivery delays cast doubt on the deal. The defence ministry has already suspended payments to the United States. Cancellation is always an option in the event of delays, Mr Pfister said on the sidelines […]
Above average number of avalanche victims this winter in Switzerland
Avalanches swept away more people than usual in the winter of 2025–26, though the death toll remained broadly in line with the average. A fragile snowpack led to a surge in incidents. By the end of March, 244 people had been caught in 171 avalanches, according to the WSL Institute for Snow and Avalanche Research […]
Pro-Palestine demonstration: Bern publishes images as part of hunt for suspects
After unrest at an unauthorised pro-Palestine demonstration in October 2025, the police in Bern have published images of suspected offenders as part of a large-scale search. The damage caused to around 50 buildings by some protesters is estimated to run from several hundred thousand to a few million Swiss francs, depending on how broadly costs […]
Swiss public-transport fares to rise by 3.9% in December 2026
Ticket prices in Switzerland are set to increase again at the end of 2026, three years after the previous rise. Citing economic pressures and the need for investment, the strategic board of Alliance Swisspass has approved an average increase of 3.9%. The industry points to persistent inflation—up 1.3% between the end of 2023 and February […]
Federal Council will scrap imputed rental value from 2029
Six months after a decisive “yes” at the ballot box, the government has clarified how it will implement reforms to the taxation of residential property. It has consulted the Conference of Cantonal Finance Directors and concluded that cantons need adequate time to prepare for the transition. Mountain cantons had pushed for a later start, arguing […]
FILM: THE CRUISE **** This self-promoting philosopher and poet will have you falling in love with Manhattan
3 April 2026 THE CRUISE **** This self-promoting philosopher and poet will have you falling in love with Manhattan, for he’s an iconoclastic guide on a double-decker tourist bus in the Big Apple. Despite a strangely high pitched voice (that’s shocking at first…), Timothy Levitch astounds with his knowledge and appreciation of history, literature, the […]
Language requirements for Swiss citizenship and visas – what you need to know
Brought to you by Swiss French School. On 1 January 2019, Switzerland’s federal government tightened and harmonised the rules on language requirements to qualify for some residence permits, B and C permits in particular, and naturalisation. Before 2019, formal testing of language ability was not typical. Since then it has been formalised and standardised across cantons […]
