Artificial intelligence is not only consuming attention—it is also consuming electricity and water. A surge in AI activity has driven up demand for data-centre capacity across Europe, and the Swiss are increasingly uneasy about its environmental cost. More than 15 new data centres are under construction in Switzerland, many built to serve the growing demands […]
Can Switzerland charm Donald Trump in Davos?
Donald Trump is expected to attend the World Economic Forum (WEF) in Davos this January, and Swiss exporters battered by 39% American tariffs are hoping the visit might bring relief. The Federal Council, they say, should seize the chance to appeal directly to the man wielding the tariff hammer, reports SRF. A report from CH […]
Switzerland’s right calls EU deal a colonial pact of subordination
Switzerland’s biggest party, the right-wing Swiss People’s Party (UDC/SVP), has denounced the government’s proposed package of new agreements with the European Union as a colonial treaty that would undermine the country’s sovereignty and direct democracy, reported RTS. The party wants the agreements rejected both by parliament and in a future referendum. The package, which aims […]
Votes poll: inheritance tax faces headwind, citizen service hangs in balance
Were the votes held at the start of October, Switzerland’s proposed inheritance tax would have failed. Support and opposition to compulsory community service, meanwhile, remain neck and neck, according to a recent poll. On November 30th 2025, Swiss voters will decide on two federal initiatives. The first, the Inheritance Tax Initiative, would introduce a levy […]
Swiss government warns of tax losses from socialist inheritance-tax initiative
Switzerland’s Federal Council has warned that a proposal by the Young Socialists could lead to substantial tax losses and drive wealthy residents abroad, reported RTS. On Monday, it launched its campaign against the “For the Future” initiative, which will go to a vote on 30 November 2025. The initiative, officially titled “For a socially just […]
Switzerland relaxes limits on construction
Switzerland’s Federal Council has agreed to loosen restrictions on building outside designated zones, reported RTS. From 2026, the permitted volume of such construction will rise by 2%, a move that has angered environmental groups. Pro Natura, which championed earlier efforts to curb urban sprawl, accused the government of “torpedoing” the latest revision of the Spatial […]
Vote called against tighter rules on Swiss civil service
Switzerland’s plan to restrict access to civilian service has sparked a referendum campaign, with critics warning that the reform will weaken social cohesion and harm public welfare. An alliance of civil-society groups, placement organisations and left-wing politicians launched the campaign in Bern this week, calling the new law manipulative and counterproductive, reported RTS. The reform, […]
Swiss Young Socialists launch campaign to tax the rich
Switzerland’s Young Socialists (JS) have launched their campaign for the “Pour l’avenir” (“For the Future”) initiative, arguing that the super-rich should shoulder the costs of combating climate change, reported RTS. The ultra-wealthy are destroying our future with private jets, super-yachts and multi-billion-franc investments that harm the climate, the group said at the campaign’s launch. They […]
Swiss school leader calls for social-media ban for minors
Social media should be banned for under-18s, argues the head of Switzerland’s association of German-speaking school principals, reported RTS. Thomas Minder, president of the association, says young people need stronger protection from the addictive pull of online platforms, comparing smartphone dependency to addictions to alcohol and tobacco. Even adults struggle to use these apps responsibly, […]
Political polarisation grows in Switzerland, shows poll
A new poll points to a more polarised Switzerland. Support has risen on both flanks—the right is up 2.5 percentage points, the left is up 1 point—while the centre has slipped 3.5 points. For the first time in the SSR barometer (by Sotomo), the Swiss People’s Party (UDC/SVP) crosses 30% of vote intention. The Socialist […]
