Switzerland’s government cut a deal to buy 36 Lockheed Martin F-35A fighter jets for CHF 6,035 billion, but there is opposition to the purchase in some political quarters and a referendum has been launched to stop it. However, the deal expires on 31 March 2022 and a new deal is likely to be more expensive […]
Swiss government announces wish to work more closely with NATO
On 7 September 2022, Switzerland’s Federal Council published a report on its military plans, which include more antitank weapons and closer cooperation with NATO. By attacking Ukraine, Russia has destroyed the foundations of peace in Europe, wrote the Federal Council. Switzerland therefore intends to cooperate more closely with international organisations on security and defence while […]
Swiss debt enforcement offices aiding money laundering
In Switzerland, it is possible to pay delinquent debts with large sums of cash. Some criminals are using the loophole to launder money, reports Le Matin. Swiss broadcaster SRF investigated several official debt enforcement offices across Switzerland and found that large sums of cash were passing through some of them. In Geneva, CHF 24 million […]
Two arrested in Germany for suspected explosive attack in Switzerland
Two Swiss citizens have been arrested in Germany after the German authorities strongly suspected they wanted to buy explosives to attack a large town in Switzerland, reported RTS. The suspected plan involved two Swiss citizens buying explosives in Stuttgart for a crime planned in a large Swiss town, announced the police and prosecutor of the […]
FIFA: Blatter and Platini to get 20-month prison sentences
On 15 June 2022, Switzerland’s public prosecutor requested Sepp Blatter (86) and Michel Platini (66) get 20-month suspended prison sentences in connection with accusations of fraud against the football organisation FIFA, reported RTS. The week before, the two defendants had rejected all of the accusations, which included the improper transfer of CHF 2 million from […]
Swiss government rejects automatic citizenship for those born in Switzerland
On 15 June 2022, a proposal put forward by Stefania Prezioso Batou, a federal parliamentarian from Geneva, to grant automatic citizenship to those born in Switzerland was rejected by 112 to 75 votes in Switzerland’s federal parliament, reported 20 Minutes. Batou would like to see the introduction of jus soli where a child born in […]
Swiss airspace closed after computer failure
On 15 June 2022, Swiss airspace was closed after a computer malfunction. At 6:30 am the Swiss air navigation service provider Skyguide reported a technical malfunction and announced the closure of Swiss airspace for safety reasons. Two hours later at 8:30 am Skyguide reported that the technical malfunction had been resolved. The outage affected several […]
Switzerland to join UN Security Council for the first time in its history
On 9 June 2022, Switzerland was elected to sit on the 15-member United Nations Security Council with 14 other nations from 2023 to 2024. The result was largely expected. Only one candidate stood for each of the five regional seats available this year. Switzerland received 187 favourable votes out of a possible 190. Votes are […]
Swiss medical association makes assisted suicide more difficult
This week, the Swiss Medical Association (SMA) tightened restrictions on assisted suicide, reported RTS. The new directives require greater involvement from doctors. At least two doctor-patient interviews must take place. In addition, patients must prove their suffering is unbearable. These procedures must also be well documented. The new guidelines effectively prevent healthy people from accessing […]
Switzerland wants closer military cooperation with the US
During a five-day visit to Washington, Viola Amherd, Switzerland’s defence minister, said that the war in Ukraine shows that Switzerland must strengthen its international cooperation including its cooperation with the US, reported RTS. Serious, brutal violations of international law such as the one committed by Russia must not be tolerated, said the minister after meetings […]
