By Andy Cohen Often referred to as the human rights or humanitarian capital of the world, Geneva has for decades managed to revere an ugly truth in the form of an authoritarian, if not murderous, religious abuser. The legacy of Reformist John Calvin – Jean Calvin in French, born Jehan Cauvin in Picardy – is […]
Immigration slowdown hits Swiss rents
In 1999, Switzerland signed a deal with the EU allowing free movement of people between Switzerland and the bloc. The deal came into force in 2002. This led to a rise in immigration into Switzerland, which in turn eventually led to rising rents. However, since 2014 there has been a marked slowdown in EU immigration […]
Switzerland’s list of 29 compulsory quarantine countries
Anyone arriving in Switzerland from a state or area with an increased risk of infection is legally required to quarantine themselves for 10 days. If you enter Switzerland and have spent time in a country or region where there is an increased risk of infection in the past 14 days you must go to your […]
Swiss government forecasts 2021 deficit but no tax hikes
The coronavirus is set to knock a CHF 1 billion hole in Switzerland’s federal budget for 2021, according to a press release. Without the virus the budget was CHF 2.2 billion in the black. Post virus the budget is now CHF 1 billion in the red. The virus is expected to add CHF 2.0 billion […]
Swiss salaries rise faster than inflation for the first time in 2 years
In 2019, Swiss salaries were on average of 0.9% higher than the year before. A nominal rise of +0.9% combined with low inflation of 0.4% delivered a real boost of 0.5% to someone earning an average salary in Switzerland. This is the first time in two years that the average Swiss salary has grown faster […]
Swiss retail sales up 30% in May after COVID-19 measures eased
Recently published figures show a overall jump of 30.2% in retail sales in May 2020 compared to April 2020. May’s rise of 30.2% follows falls of 6.5% in March and 13.7% in April. However not all retail sectors experienced the same rise in May sales. Food, drink and tobacco sales rose 3.4% and fuel sales […]
Summer camps – post lockdown learning and adventure in the Swiss Alps
Brought to you by Aiglon College. 2020 has been a tough year so far for both parents and their children. Swiss schools were closed in mid-March and children were sent home to be supervised by parents, many of whom had to juggle this new activity with an already hectic schedule. Some now fear this missed […]
Left-wing extremists engaged in more violence than right-wing extremists in Switzerland
In 2019, there were 236 extremist incidents in Switzerland, according to Switzerland’s federal intelligence service. 88% (207) of the total incidents related to left-wing extremism and 12% (29) to right-wing extremism. In addition, far more left-wing incidents turned violent (115). Only one right-wing incident in 2019 involved violence, according to the intelligence service. In addition, […]
Earthquake in Chamonix shakes parts of Switzerland
On 23 June 2020, Switzerland’s seismology service reported an earthquake measuring 3.8 at 8.25 am in Chamonix, France, 4,5 km below the surface. The shake was felt in parts of the cantons of Vaud and Valais. Comments on Chamonix’s municipal Facebook page reported trembling windows and sounds like an explosion. No damage was reported. Mountain […]
Vaud police association rejects allegations of racism and violence
On 24 June 2020, the Professional Association of Vaud Police (APGV) announced that it rejects recent accusations of racism and violence and deplores the lack of public support from politicians. The association, which represents members of the canton’s police force, is upset that some are crudely assuming that policing in Vaud is the same as […]
