Switzerland’s government has rejected a popular initiative by the Green Party of Switzerland that would make solar installations mandatory for all new buildings and major renovations, reported RTS. On Friday the Federal Council of Switzerland dismissed the proposal without offering a counter-proposal, arguing that it would infringe on private property rights. The government acknowledged that […]
A very Swiss language dispute in Fribourg/Freiburg
Switzerland is often imagined as a multilingual haven where citizens glide easily between different national languages. Reality is less harmonious. In German-speaking Switzerland only about 13% speak French, while in French-speaking Switzerland only around 14% speak German. And at language frontiers linguistic politics can become heated. The city of Fribourg—known as Freiburg in German—is close […]
US Patriot missile shortages push Swiss deliveries back five years
Heavy use of American Patriot air-defence missiles in the Middle East is having knock-on effects for Switzerland. The Swiss armed forces may have to wait much longer than expected to receive the Patriot systems it has ordered, according to federal officials cited by the public broadcaster SRF. Since Sunday the United Arab Emirates alone has […]
Switzerland to cut F-35 fighter jet order to 30
Switzerland’s federal government will buy only 30 F-35 fighter jets rather than the 36 originally planned. To do so it is asking parliament for an additional credit of CHF 394m ($500m). It is also examining the possibility of acquiring a second ground-to-air defence system. Speaking to the media, the defence minister, Martin Pfister, noted that […]
Swiss government presses ahead with VAT rise to fund army despite opposition
The federal government is sticking to its plan to raise value-added tax (VAT) by 0.8 percentage points over ten years to finance the army, despite heavy criticism. The increase is intended to generate an additional CHF 31bn ($40bn) for defence and security. To strengthen Switzerland’s security and defence capabilities, the government proposes to raise VAT […]
Aargau rejects blanket headscarf ban in schools
The government of the canton of Aargau has rejected calls for a general ban on headscarves in primary schools, arguing that such a measure would likely violate Switzerland’s constitution, reported SRF. Instead, it says it is willing to examine guidelines aimed at protecting girls from religious coercion. The issue arose from a motion in the […]
Swiss lawmakers step up trade diplomacy in Washington
A delegation from Switzerland’s federal parliament travelled to Washington this week for talks with members of Congress and American economic officials, with the prospect of a bilateral trade agreement high on the agenda, reported RTS. The visit had been planned for some time but has acquired greater urgency amid renewed turbulence in American trade policy. […]
EU member states back new accords with Switzerland
Member states of the European Union have approved the signing of a package of agreements with Bern, giving their political blessing on Tuesday. The next step, according to the Council, is expected in March. The decision marks a logical step in strengthening our long-standing relations, said Marilena Raouna, Cyprus’s deputy minister for European affairs, in […]
What is Switzerland’s broadcasting levy?
Redevance (or Medienabgabe in German) is a word much heard since the launch of the “200 francs is enough!” initiative, on which voters will decide on March 8th. The levy is a compulsory annual charge paid by every household in Switzerland, whether or not they consume radio or television. Some firms pay it, too. Collection […]
Swiss finance minister defends austerity despite surprise surplus in 2025
Switzerland’s federal government closed 2025 with a financing surplus of CHF 0.3bn, rather than the CHF 0.8bn deficit forecast in the budget. The improvement of more than CHF 1bn was largely due to temporary additional tax revenue from the canton of Geneva. Ministers caution that the windfall should not be mistaken for a change in […]
