Swiss business and farming groups are stepping up calls for a rollback of red tape, warning that an expanding regulatory burden is stifling productivity just as labour shortages intensify. They are urging the Federal Council and parliament to act before the end of the current legislative term. At a press conference in Bern, economiesuisse, the […]
Winter tyres: a cold-weather essential
With snow reaching Switzerland’s plateau this week, some motorists may regret delaying the switch to winter tyres. The change need not wait for ice or flurries: the tyres are designed for cold conditions generally and work best when temperatures drop below 7°C. Calling them snow tyres is misleading. Switzerland sometimes sees weeks of sub-zero temperatures […]
Swiss Greens’ vote on compulsory solar panels clears signature hurdle
A popular initiative by Switzerland’s Green Party to make solar panels mandatory on most rooftops has gathered more than 100,000 signatures, enough to trigger a national vote once the federal chancellery formally validates them, reported RTS. The proposal seeks to require the installation of photovoltaic systems on nearly all new and existing buildings, though exemptions […]
AI boom sparks concern over data-centre power and water use in Switzerland
Artificial intelligence is not only consuming attention—it is also consuming electricity and water. A surge in AI activity has driven up demand for data-centre capacity across Europe, and the Swiss are increasingly uneasy about its environmental cost. More than 15 new data centres are under construction in Switzerland, many built to serve the growing demands […]
More than 25,000 animals abandoned in Switzerland in 2024
More than 25,000 animals were abandoned in Switzerland in 2024, according to the Swiss Animal Protection Society (PSA), which warns of a worrying rise in the number of pets left behind. The charity recorded 32,079 animals taken in by shelters last year, 572 more than in 2023. Of these, 25,403 were abandoned, 5,449 were found, […]
Hiking accidents double in Switzerland over 15 years
The number of mountain-hiking accidents in Switzerland has doubled in the past 15 years, according to new data from Suva, the national accident insurer. Between 2009 and 2013, just over 4,000 incidents were recorded annually. From 2019 to 2023, that figure rose to around 9,000 a year. More than eight in ten accidents involved hikers […]
Swiss Young Socialists launch campaign to tax the rich
Switzerland’s Young Socialists (JS) have launched their campaign for the “Pour l’avenir” (“For the Future”) initiative, arguing that the super-rich should shoulder the costs of combating climate change, reported RTS. The ultra-wealthy are destroying our future with private jets, super-yachts and multi-billion-franc investments that harm the climate, the group said at the campaign’s launch. They […]
Zurich voters sweep away petrol leaf blowers
On 28 September 2025, Zurich voters approved a citywide ban on petrol-powered leaf blowers. Only electric models will be allowed—and then only from October to December, the autumn season. Exemptions may be granted for major events such as Sechseläuten—Zurich’s traditional festival—and the Street Parade. The measure was backed by the city executive and a majority […]
Health premiums and immigration top Swiss concerns in 2025
Health-insurance premiums and immigration remain the two biggest political concerns for Swiss voters, though both are less prevalent than last year, according to the latest SSR electoral barometer. Relations with the European Union, housing shortages and the economy have gained ground. Health costs top the list of challenges, cited by 40% of respondents. Immigration follows […]
Zurich to vote on penalising heavy cars and banning leaf blowers
Zurich City’s citizens will decide on 28 September 2025 whether to ban petrol-powered leaf blowers. A Left-Green coalition wants only quieter electric ones, and only in autumn – from October to December. The city council and a majority of the municipal council are on board. But opposition was sufficient to call a vote against the […]
