Switzerland has long discussed improving transparency in political party financing to increase trust in politics. In 2022, the canton of Schwyz led the way, introducing rules requiring parties to disclose how they finance their election campaigns. This week, the Federal Audit Office issued its first ever report on party finances. The report shows party revenues […]
Male chicks to be identified before birth
Male chicks are not wanted by egg producers because they cannot produce eggs. Until fairly recently, they were identified at birth and shredded. On 1 January 2020, shredding live chickens was banned in Switzerland. Since then, suffocating the unwanted chicks with CO2 has been a popular alternative. This week, egg industry association Gallosuisse announced that […]
Swiss court hands heavy sentences to accused 1MDB fraudsters
Two directors of the company Petrosaudi were given heavy sentences this week by Switzerland’s federal criminal court in Bellinzona, reported RTS. The court ordered two men to repay the Malaysian sovereign wealth fund 1MDB nearly two billion US dollars, an amount made up of the missing US$ 1.75 billion plus 5% interest. In addition, they […]
Sales ban on certain plants starts in Switzerland
In March 2024, Switzerland’s Federal Office for the Environment (FOEN) announced a sales ban on a list of 32 exotic invasive plants. From 1 September 2024, it will be illegal to sell these plants in Switzerland. Like all living things, plants have evolved to survive in specific environments. As humans have moved they have taken […]
Parents of Swiss jihadist in court accused of financing terrorism
On Monday, the parents of a Swiss jihadist appeared in court charged with financing terrorism. They were accused of sending more than CHF 50,000 to their son while he was in Syria, reported RTS. Switzerland’s federal prosecutor accused the man’s 70 year old father and 60 year old mother of funding terrorism. The prosecutor described […]
Swiss population rises by highest level since 1960
At the end of 2023, more than 8.9 million people lived in Switzerland, rising by 147,000 (1.7%) across the year, reported the Federal Statistical Office (FSO). The population rose in all cantons, driven by high levels of immigration, particularly from Ukraine. The last time Switzerland’s population rose so fast was in 1960, wrote FSO. The […]
Most popular Swiss baby names in 2023
Every year, in August, the Federal Statistical Office (FSO) publishes the most popular baby names from the year before. The most popular names in 2023 for newborns in Switzerland were Mia and Noah. In 2023, Mia pushed Emma out of the top spot for baby girls. Among the boys, Noah maintained first place. This is […]
Federal government to increase tax deductions
Over time, salaries increase with inflation. However, if tax deductions and allowances are not adjusted the percentage of income taken in tax rises, a phenomenon known as tax creep or fiscal drag. Given recent inflation, Switzerland’s federal government announced this week that it was increasing allowances and deductions, reported SRF. From 2025, the child and […]
All Swiss property owners could be hit with earthquake bill
Switzerland sometimes feels like the land of insurance. Numerous costs that are covered by taxes in many places come instead in the form of compulsory insurance in Switzerland. However, some risks remain uncovered by compulsory insurance. Earthquakes are one such risk. This week, a plan to force all property owners to contribute to the cost […]
Some foreign drivers pay significantly higher Swiss car insurance premiums
Insurance companies use customer data to estimate the risk of an accident and calculate a price for covering that risk. Any discernable attribute that correlates with differences in risk can help to make pricing more accurate. The age and gender of the driver, where they live and the vehicle they drive are the key factors […]
