The spring narcissus bloom in Switzerland’s riviera region, a star tourist attraction of the Belle Epoque – the 30 to 40 years before the war in 1914 – was described as the “snow of May” by Ernest Hemingway in his novel A Farewell to Arms. The book is about two lovers who reunite in Switzerland […]
Swiss exporters brace for US tariff blow
The 31% tariffs announced by the Trump administration this week, were described by some analysts as like taking a sledgehammer to Swiss trade. Some industries are already eyeing alternative markets to cushion the blow, reported RTS. However, Switzerland’s industry sectors will feel the impact of new American tariffs unevenly. While the pharmaceutical industry has so […]
Swiss government decides against a direct response to US tariffs
Following President Donald Trump’s announcement of a 31% tariff on Swiss goods, the Federal Council has opted for diplomacy over retaliation, it announced on Thursday. It said it will closely examine the measures and their implications but has no immediate plans to introduce countermeasures. The Swiss government expressed concern over the steep tariffs, describing them […]
Switzerland edges toward revisiting nuclear power
Switzerland’s Federal Council is seeking to lift the country’s ban on new nuclear power plants. This week, it presented a counter-proposal to the “Stop Blackout” initiative aimed at securing the country’s energy supply, reported RTS. However, many political parties, cantons and energy stakeholders remain unconvinced. Opposition from the Green Party, the Green Liberals and the […]
Filling up in Switzerland: where to find the cheapest fuel
Recently published data from the TCS Gasoline Price Radar, presented by SRF, highlights the significant variation in petrol and diesel prices across Switzerland. Prices tend to be highest around Geneva, Lausanne, and Zurich, while they are notably lower along much of Switzerland’s northern border and other frontier regions. This disparity is largely driven by cheaper […]
Referendum to curb political lobbying in Switzerland
For many, serving as a member of parliament or as a State Councillor in Switzerland is a part-time role. While this keeps politicians connected to everyday life, it also raises concerns about conflicts of interest. Those working in specific industries often participate in parliamentary debates as experts in their field—where they may also have vested […]
FIFA: court acquits Blatter and Platini on fraud allegations a second time
This week, a Swiss court upheld the acquittal of former FIFA president Joseph Blatter and former UEFA president Michel Platini on fraud charges, SRF reported. The public prosecutor had sought suspended prison sentences of one year and eight months for the two defendants over questionable payments. However, both Blatter (89) and Platini (69) were acquitted. […]
The Swiss who lost their nationality
Swiss citizenship is typically for life, except in rare cases where it was obtained fraudulently or if an individual with another nationality is deemed to seriously harm the interests and reputation of Switzerland and in doing so compromise the nation’s security – this happened in 2019 for the first time. However, retaining Swiss citizenship was […]
EU migration pact opposed by Switzerland’s left and right
The Pact on Migration and Asylum, a new EU plan to manage migration agreed upon by EU countries last year and officially endorsed by Switzerland’s executive last week, faces resistance from both the left and the right, RTS reported. The pact requires more asylum applications to be processed in the countries where migrants first arrive […]
Medical association raises alarm about the number of foreign doctors in Switzerland
The number of medical professionals in Switzerland rose by 3.7% in 2024. However, the proportion of foreign doctors working in the country continues to increase, reaching 41.3% of all doctors in 2024. Relying so heavily on foreign medical professionals is risky, according to a representative of a medical association who spoke to SRF. In 2003, […]
