18% of Swiss adults are convinced their financial situation will worsen in 2021, according to a survey. This percentage is markedly higher than at the end of 2019 when the same figure was 13%. The rise in pessimism is largely linked to job insecurity. 68% are concerned they will face full or partial unemployment, while […]
Swiss Federal Council’s theme and photo for 2021
At the dawn of every new year, Switzerland’s Federal Council publishes a photograph along with a theme. This year the theme is gaining a fresh perspective of the familiar. The photo shows the seven members of the Federal Council along with the chancelier. From left to right are Viola Amherd, Simonetta Sommaruga, Ignazio Cassis (vice-president), […]
Switzerland’s president in 2021
Every year Switzerland gets a new president, who is also a member of the Federal Council, Switzerland’s seven-member executive. In Switzerland the role of president is largely ceremonial. The seven members of the Swiss Federal Council act collectively as the head of state. The president’s vote has no more weight than other Federal Council members. […]
Swiss petrol and diesel tax to rise on 1 January 2021
On 1 January 2021, Swiss pump prices are set to rise by 3.7 cents per litre. From 1 January 2021, the total taxes on a litre of petrol and diesel in Switzerland will be 77 and 80 cents respectively. At a price of CHF 1.50 litre, taxes will make up over half the price of […]
Christmas traffic down 84% at Geneva airport
Normally Geneva airport is overrun with passengers during the Christmas period. This year there were 84% fewer passengers than last year, according to RTS. Between 23 and 27 December 2020, there were around 47,000 passengers, down from the 300,000 that passed through the airport during the same period in 2019. The largest number of passengers […]
Former Swiss army boss supports compulsory military or civil service for Swiss women
Currently, all able bodied Swiss men must serve in Switzerland’s military or spend time doing civil service. The obligation begins at the age of 18. However, the obligation only applies to men. Women can serve but are not required to. An initiative (servicecitoyen.ch), which is planned for 2021, aims to replace the existing system with […]
From Scotland to Uganda, climate catastrophe to female exploitation: these young people are making a difference
By Peter Hulm Individuals often despair of achieving anything with private action to tackle problems such as climate catastrophes, making fashion sustainable or protecting women and young girls from exploitation. The problem is that so much depends on governments, companies and organizations including the United Nations to step up and put in place wideranging measures […]
What are the odds of a snowy Swiss Christmas?
Snow on Christmas day is fairly rare across most of Switzerland. Meteo Suisse has compiled a list of snowy Christmas periods (24/25/26 December) at various locations over the 80 years to 2016. When assessing the chance of snow, altitude is a key determinant, so the range is significant in Alpine Switzerland. Over 80 years, the […]
Switzerland and the UK sign agreement on mobility of service providers
On 14 December 2020, Switzerland and the UK signed an agreement that secures reciprocal, facilitated market access for service providers between Switzerland and the United Kingdom from 1 January 2021. The Services Mobility Agreement (SMA) regulates the mutual access and temporary stay of service providers, for example, management consultants, IT experts and engineers. The agreement […]
The US accuses Switzerland of currency manipulation
This week, the US Treasury reviewed and assessed the currency policies of 20 major U.S. trading partners during the four quarters ending June 2020. The report concluded that both Vietnam and Switzerland met all three criteria for currency manipulation under the Trade Facilitation and Trade Enforcement Act of 2015. The three tests include a significant […]
