Swiss vote regularly on a wide range of proposals and government decisions. Since 1848, in addition to general elections, Swiss voters have been called to vote on 677 referenda and initiatives. 48% percent of these votes were accepted. Between 1848 and 1900 there was roughly one of these votes a year. Since 1991, there have […]
Swiss milk producers demand 1 franc a litre
Relative to the price of many things, the price of milk in Switzerland is low. A litre of milk in a Swiss supermarket typically costs between CHF 1.50 and CHF 2.00. Plant milk alternatives often cost close to CHF 3.00. Of the retail price paid for milk only 70 cents makes it into the pockets […]
New federal government jet too big for hangar
The new Federal Council jet does not fit into the existing federal hangar at Bern-Belp airport near Bern because the plane is too big, reported RTS. The Bombardier Global 7500 does not fit into the existing building in Bern-Belp due to its size and will probably be housed at the Payerne military airbase in Vaud […]
Swiss government shifts investment plan to road and rail after failed vote on roads
In November 2024, 52.7% of voters rejected a federal government plan to expand key sections of Switzerland’s motorway network. Environmental issues associated with road traffic and the cost (CHF 5.3 billion) were common reasons given by those rejecting the proposal. This has left the government with no path to solve the country’s infrastructure bottlenecks. This […]
Parental leave – federal government commission looking at new models
In Switzerland, paid leave for new parents is limited to 14 weeks for mothers and 2 weeks for fathers. However, the political push for more is growing, and some cantons are pressuring the federal government to extend paid leave. A commission for the federal Council of States is currently analysing some of the proposals put […]
One of Switzerland’s ministers resigns
This week, Viola Amherd, Switzerland’s army and defence minister, announced her resignation from the Federal Council, effective at the end of March 2025. The 62-year-old politician from the Centre Party has been a Federal Councillor since 2019. Amherd’s decision follows a demand from the leadership of the Swiss People’s Party (UDC/SVP) that she step down. […]
Switzerland to allow personal bankruptcy
Currently, it is impossible for individuals to legally escape their debts in Switzerland, even when they have no chance of ever paying them back. Some find themselves trapped in debt for the rest of their lives. This week, the Federal Council unveiled a new legal procedure that will offer some heavily indebted people a second […]
Most of Switzerland’s Ukrainian refugees still not working
Swiss authorities have been working hard to get more Ukrainian refugees off welfare and into work. They set a target of 40% by the end of 2024. However, their efforts have come up short. Only 29% of those of working age are in work, according to the latest data. This figure stands in contrast to […]
Switzerland cuts low emission heating subsidies
In 2023, Swiss voters accepted a plan to provide subsidies to replace oil and basic electric heating with cleaner more efficient heating, such as electric heat pumps. The plan involved spending CHF 200 million a year on such incentives over a 10-year period starting on 1 January 2025. However, Switzerland’s federal parliament decided in December […]
Switzerland’s Catholic Church hopes psychological tests will reduce sexual abuse
A study by the University of Zurich in 2023 into sexual abuse within the Roman Catholic Church in Switzerland provided clear estimates of the scale of crimes committed within the institution, prompting church leaders to act. This week, SRF reported on measures the church plans to introduce to combat these crimes. One is psychological testing […]
