This week, Amnesty International warned of a steady erosion of the right to protest in Switzerland. Once a central bulwark against injustice and arbitrary power, the freedom of assembly, the organisation argued, must be robustly defended—particularly amid a global surge in authoritarianism. In its annual report published on Tuesday, the human-rights group criticised several recent […]
US wants to prioritise trade negotiations with Switzerland
Karin Keller-Sutter, Switzerland’s president and finance minister, met Scott Bessent, the U.S. Treasury Secretary, in Washington on Thursday for what she described as a productive exchange. The two discussed ways to strengthen economic collaboration between their countries, reported RTS. Switzerland is among 15 countries with which the United States is seeking a swift resolution to […]
Swiss officials not following EU use of burner phones for US travel
The European Commission is reportedly tightening internal security guidance for staff travelling to the United States, placing the country on a par with China, Iran, and other sensitive destinations in terms of data protection, reported SRF. The aim of the EU move is to guard against potential espionage, a reflection of growing mistrust between Washington […]
A majority of Swiss favour of a single health insurer, according to poll
With health insurance premiums rising for the third consecutive year, Swiss voters are showing renewed interest in an old idea: replacing the country’s many competing health insurers with a single public insurer. According to a recent survey by GFS Bern, 53% of respondents support such a plan. Right now, any idea that promises to cut […]
Swiss Citizens’ Assembly backs sugar tax in health push
The Citizens’ Assembly, a group of citizens chosen at random to discuss and find common ground on contentious issues, has backed a proposal to introduce a tax on sugary foods and drinks as part of a broader push to improve public health in Switzerland. The measure is one of six reforms endorsed by the 100-member […]
Popular initiative calls for 18 weeks of leave for each new parent
A left-leaning alliance, with some support from the centre, has launched a popular initiative calling for a total of 36 weeks of parental leave – 18 weeks per parent – following the birth of a child, reported RTS. The proposal, published this week in the Federal Gazette, aims to replace the country’s current system of […]
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 […]
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 […]
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 […]
Switzerland should prepare for war, according to former US general
The withdrawal of US troops from Europe is a question of time, Ben Hodges, a former US general, told SonntagsBlick in an interview this week. Switzerland should prepare itself for war, he said. The best way to prevent war is to prepare for it, said Hodges. Not being prepared invites attack, said the retired general […]
