Two weeks ago, Switzerland’s Parliament voted to end joint taxation for married couples, opting instead for individual tax assessments. The reform is designed to eliminate the so-called marriage penalty. This week, opponents struck back. A cross-party alliance—comprising the Centre Party, the Swiss People’s Party (UDC/SVP), the Evangelical People’s Party (EPP), and the Christian-conservative EDU—announced plans […]
Decline in faith and religious practice continues in Switzerland
Data published this week by the Federal Statistical Office (FSO), show fewer people in Switzerland believe in God, and even fewer participate in organised religion. Secularisation continues to reshape Swiss society, with declining affiliation, attendance, and belief across all age groups—though religion still holds meaning in life’s more difficult moments. The share of the population […]
Swiss government scales back austerity plan
This week, Switzerland’s federal government announced it was cutting its savings targets slightly amid pressure from cantons and political opposition, reported RTS. The Federal Council announced revised savings targets, lowering the total volume of planned cuts to CHF 3.1 billion by 2029—down from the CHF 3.6 billion outlined in January. The adjustments follow criticism from […]
Growing resistance to Musk’s antennas in Valais
Some in the Alpine municipality of Leuk is the Swiss canton of Valais are pushing back against a plan to install 40 Starlink antennas on a hill above the village, reported SRF. The antennas will belong to SpaceX, an American firm run by Elon Musk, a business man and controversial political figure disliked by many. […]
Swiss public opinion on nuclear energy is shifting
Swiss public opinion on energy is shifting. A small majority now supports reconsidering nuclear power, though concerns about cost, speed, and supply security remain. According to a recent poll by gfs.bern for the Association of Swiss Electricity Companies (AES), 56% of respondents say they are favourable or somewhat favourable to building new nuclear plants. It […]
87% of Swiss traffic delays due to motorway overload
Though they account for just 3% of Switzerland’s road network, motorways carried over 40% of the country’s traffic in 2024. Congestion, too, has grown markedly. In response, the Federal Roads Office (FEDRO) is planning targeted network improvements. Vehicles travelling on Swiss motorways covered a combined 29.8 billion kilometres last year, a modest rise of 0.7% […]
Brussels publishes Swiss-EU deal contracts
Switzerland’s Federal Council has approved a package of agreements aimed at stabilising and deepening its relationship with the European Union, reported SRF. The goal is tailored participation in the EU’s single market, said Ignazio Cassis, Switzerland’s foreign minister. We belong to Europe—not just geographically, but also economically and socially, he said. The deal, which was […]
Higher tax and VAT win approval in Switzerland’s upper house
Switzerland, like many rich countries, faces a pension crunch. An ageing population is putting pressure on public finances, and a recent referendum has added to the strain. In March 2024, voters approved a 13th monthly payment to recipients of the state pension scheme—equivalent to a 8.3% rise in annual payouts—due to begin next year. How […]
UBS pushes back against government plan to make it safer
Switzerland’s largest bank has slammed a government plan designed to prevent a repeat of the Credit Suisse collapse—plans that could force UBS to hold billions more in capital. The news was reported by SRF and Bloomberg. This week, Switzerland’s Federal Council unveiled a package of measures aimed at reducing the systemic risks posed by the […]
Swiss Statistics Office to shed staff and cut output
Switzerland’s Federal Statistical Office (FSO) is set to scale back its operations, trimming both its workforce and the range of data it produces, as it contends with mounting budget constraints, reported RTS. The FSO will cut the equivalent of around 40 full-time positions over the coming years, in a move expected to save CHF 13 […]
