According to a report published this week, 4% of drivers in Switzerland drive after drinking alcohol. However, only 0.4% have a level of alcohol at or above the legal limit. Drunk driving remains one of the greatest road safety risks in Switzerland, causing around one in every eight road accidents. In 2023, alcohol caused 506 […]
Gambian ex-minister given 20 years in prison by Swiss court
This week, Switzerland’s Federal Criminal Court sentenced a former Gambian interior minister to 20 years in prison for multiple crimes against humanity, reported RTS. The ruling is historic. It is the first time a European court has convicted and sentenced someone for crimes committed against humanity outside Europe. Ousman Sonko came to Switzerland as an […]
FIFA may be preparing to leave Switzerland
This week, FIFA approved changes to its articles that make it easier for the organisation to move its headquarters from Zurich. A former sports minister told RTS that he thinks Swiss criticism of the organisation in recent years is a factor. Until recently, Zurich was specified as the home of FIFA in the organisation’s articles. […]
Switzerland wins Eurovision with song “The Code”
Nemo Mettler, the 24-year-old who grew up in Bienne/Biel in Switzerland, won Eurovision with “The Code”, a song with elements of rap, drum and base and opera. This year’s Eurovision competition, the 68th edition, took place over the weekend in the Swedish city of Malmo. Born in Switzerland in 1999, Nemo has been playing the […]
Vote to limit Switzerland’s population to 10 million clears signature hurdle
An initiative organised by the Swiss People’s Party (SVP/UDC) to limit Switzerland’s population to 10 million officially cleared the signature hurdle this week, reported SRF. To launch a popular vote or referendum in Switzerland requires 100,000 signatures. This week, 114,805 of the 114,430 signatures collected for the initiative were deemed valid by the administration, clearing […]
Federal Council wants to get tough on conscription choices to boost military
A shortage of military personnel is creating challenges for Switzerland’s leaders. This week, the Federal Council said it wants to make it harder for conscripts to opt for community service and to use some of those doing civil service for defense. However, the idea was met with resistance. Over the years, it has become easier […]
Ukrainian refugee job push aims for big cut to Swiss welfare spending
Over the roughly two years since the first Ukrainian refugees began arriving in Switzerland, more than 90,000 have successfully applied for the temporary right to live in Switzerland. However, only 24% have found work. With finances tight, the federal government is aiming to save around CHF 700 million in refugee welfare payments by getting the […]
Swiss unemployment falls in April
According to data from the State Secretariat for Economic Affairs (SECO), 106,957 people were registered as unemployed at the end of April 2024, 1,636 (-1.5%) fewer than the previous month, taking the rate from 2.4% to 2.3%. However, unemployment remained higher (+0.3 percentage points) than it was at the same time in 2023. At the […]
Bumper season for Swiss mountain lift companies
The recent winter season was positive for Switzerland’s mountain resort lift operators. However, the picture was mixed with low altitude resorts missing out on much of the joy, reported Switzerland’s mountain lift association this week. By the end of April 2024, the number of first-time visitors to Swiss ski areas overall was up 3% compared […]
Swiss police firearm use lowest in 14 years
Switzerland’s police carry guns but rarely use them. In 2023, firearms were used only twice, the lowest number in 14 years, reported CCPCS, an organisation that connects cantonal police forces. The use of police force is always based on the principle of proportionality, said the organisation. The use of firearms is only permitted as a […]
