The week, the Federal Council, Switzerland’s executive. decided the A1, the nation’s longest motorway should be at least three lanes in both directions along its entire length, reported RTS. The Federal Council’s decision was in response to a proposal by Erich Hess, a parliamentarian from the Swiss People’s Party (UDC/SVP). The motion was signed by […]
Swiss parliament votes for tough new banking rules
Many Swiss politicians and members of the public remain angry about the recent rushed government deal to head off the potential collapse of Credit Suisse. This week a majority of the National Council, Switzerland’s federal parliament, voted in favour of measures to reduce the risk systemic big banks pose to taxpayers, reported RTS. Spearheaded by […]
Opioid use almost doubles in Switzerland
Between 2008 and 2018, prescriptions for opioid painkillers almost doubled in Switzerland, reported RTS this week. Opioid prescriptions for minor injuries rose by 88.3% and those for serious injuries by 91.4% over the decade, according to a study run by Baden hospital. The study shows how the drugs are often prescribed for mild pain. According […]
1 in 20 suffer material deprivation in Switzerland
On 2 May 2023, Switzerland’s Federal Statistical Office published its annual report on income, poverty and living conditions. In 2021, 448,000 people, 5.2% of the population, refrained from buying goods, services and social activities for financial reasons, something described as material and social deprivation. And Switzerland’s poverty rate was 8.7%. At the same time, the […]
Swiss housing shortage due to lack of land for construction
A report published on 4 May 2023 cites land scarcity as the main reason behind Switzerland’s housing shortage. In the 20 years between 2001 and 2021 Switzerland’s population grew from 7.3 to 8.7 million, a rise of 1.4 million residents or 19%. And with annual net immigration of around 50,000, building enough homes to house […]
Parliament rejects use of Swiss-German for official debates
This week, parliament rejected a motion put forward by Lukas Reimann, a member of the Swiss People’s Party (UDC/SVP) from St. Gallen, to allow the use of Swiss-German in official federal political debates, reported RTS. Switzerland has four national languages, however, many Swiss tend to fluently speak only one of them, although among federal politicians […]
New fines for littering accepted by Swiss parliament
This week, Switzerland’s federal parliament voted in favour of fining those who litter or leave household refuse on public streets or walkways, something sometimes seen in Switzerland’s cities. With 136 votes to 50 Switzerland’s parliament would like to introduce fines as high as CHF 300 for anyone leaving litter in public areas. The fines are […]
Swiss inflation flat in April
Data published this week by Switzerland’s Federal Statistical Office (FSO) show no monthly inflation in April 2023. No inflation in April shifted annual inflation from 2.9% in March to 2.6% in April 2023 as the monthly rise in prices in April 2022 fell out of the annual calculation to be replaced by zero monthly inflation […]
Swiss parliament votes in favour a new public holiday to celebrate democracy
There is a lot of democracy in Switzerland. In addition to national federal elections every four years citizens get to vote on a number of federal referenda four times a year. There are also cantonal elections and referenda along with voting at a municipal level. With all of this voting, an extra day off to […]
Swisscom could soon force price increases on existing customers
Switzerland’s strong currency and the widespread influence of the administration on many prices means the country has escaped much of the recent inflation afflicting many nations. But increasingly, inflation is entering the scene. This week, Swisscom announced it plans to change its general terms and conditions to make it possible to increase the price of […]
