In 2019, residents of Switzerland spent 200 million hours hiking and 2.4 millions went on an average of 15 bike rides, according to recently published data from Switzerland’s Federal Roads Office (FEDRO). In 2019, around 57% of residents aged over 15 went hiking, a figure 20 percentage points higher than in 2007. The steepest rise […]
Swiss supermarket Migros may soon sell alcohol
Currently, the Swiss supermarket Migros does not sell alcoholic drinks in its stores. Gottlieb Duttweiler, the retailer’s founder, instituted the policy to promote public health when the company was started in 1925. However, this autumn, the management of the cooperative is planning to vote on whether to allow alcohol on to the the company’s shelves […]
New call for compulsory military service for Swiss women
This week, the Swiss Officers’ Society, a military association, announced that it was in favour of extending compulsory military service to both men and women, according to 20 Minutes. The association submitted a report, which included the recommendation to include compulsory service to women to Viola Amherd, Switzerland’s minister in charge of defense. Society president […]
The last time Switzerland made it to the quarter-finals
On Monday, 28 June 2021, Switzerland knocked world champions France out of Euro 2020 after extended play and a shoot out in Bucharest to make it through to the quarter finals. The last time Switzerland made it to the quarter-finals of a major football competition was during the World Cup in 1954, 67 years ago […]
Switzerland knock France out of Euro 2020
On 28 June 2021, Switzerland defeated world champions France after extended play and a shoot out in Bucharest in the UEFA Euro 2020. Haris Seferović scored an early goal (15′) and Switzerland led at half time. However, in the second half France scored 3 goals and it looked like they were set to win. Benzema […]
Swiss parliament votes to raise retirement age for women
This week, Switzerland’s parliament voted in favour of raising the official retirement age for women. In Switzerland, the retirement age for women has long been 64, one year less than the retirement age of 65 for men, according to RTS. The parliamentary vote, of 124 versus 69 in favour, follows a vote in the upper […]
Foreigners in Switzerland might gain access to welfare after 10 years of residence
In Switzerland, accessing welfare can put foreigners’ residence permits at risk. A recent parliamentary initiative may change this for some. Practice on who qualifies for welfare varies from canton to canton and the subject is somewhat of a minefield. There are often rules around family members helping before state welfare kicks in and also rules […]
Swiss Eurovision entry top choice of judges and artists
Switzerland’s Eurovision entry, the song Tout l’Univers (The whole universe) by Gjon’s Tears, came third in the 2021 Eurovision final held on 22 May 2021. However, it was the judges’ favourite. The 26 acts in the grand final garnered points ranging from 524 for the winner Maneskin from Italy, to zero for James Newman, the […]
Switzerland ranks 22nd out of 49 nations on gay rights
A ranking published this week placed Switzerland 22nd in a ranking of 49 European nations on gay rights by ILGA-Europe. Malta (94%) was ranked number 1 while Azerbaijan (2%) was ranked at the bottom in 49th position. Switzerland was calculated to be only 39% of the way towards a perfect score, according to ILGA-Europe. Scores […]
Convictions down 11% in Switzerland in 2020
Convictions of adults declined by 11% in 2020 in Switzerland, according to figures released by Switzerland’s Federal Statistical Office. This is the steepest decline in many years. In 2020 around 95 000 adult convictions were registered in the conviction register. This corresponds to a drop of 11% compared with the 2019 year. The greatest decline […]
