Statistics for 2016 show that 25% of Switzerland’s residents have no religion. As recently as 1960 the same figure was less than 1%. The percentage with no faith shows significant regional variations. While only 19% of Italian speakers have no religion, 24% in German-speaking Switzerland and 30% in French-speaking Switzerland don’t. Non-believers in Switzerland Infogram […]
Only 4.5% of world lives under full democracy – Switzerland suffers from low participation
The Economist Intelligence Unit’s 2017 Democracy Index classifies only 19 countries as having fully functioning democracies. 14 were in Europe. Globally, democracy declined in 2017, according to the report. Only 4.5% of the world’s population now lives in a fully functioning democracy. Overall, the ranking shows a decline in the number of fully functioning democracies […]
New poll on vote to axe Swiss broadcast fee suggests rejection
A poll run by the media group Tamedia shows a clear majority in favour of rejecting the initiative, dubbed “No Billag”, which aims to end Switzerland’s broadcasting fee. This poll follows one done in December 2017, which showed a majority in favour of the initiative. In December 57% were either fully or quite in favour […]
Most Swiss against 1.3 billion franc EU payment, according to poll
A poll by Swiss media company Tamedia, suggests a majority of Swiss are against the CHF 1.3 billion payment the Federal Council, Switzerland’s executive, agreed to contribute towards EU payments to EU members in eastern Europe over 10 years. The poll results were reported in 20 Minutes. After agreeing the sum in November last year […]
Swiss courts wrong on minaret ban speech case, rules european court
On 9 January 2018, the European Court of Human Rights decided against a decision by the Federal Tribunal, Switzerland’s highest court, and demanded the Swiss government pay 35,000 euros. The case relates to the publication of a speech leading up to the Swiss vote to ban the construction of minarets in 2009. On 5 November […]
Switzerland’s new president animates the executive
Every year, Switzerland gets a new president. It also gets a new photograph of its seven-member executive, known as the wise seven (sept sages) in French. This year incoming president Alain Berset has broken with photographic tradition and come up with an animated image, which presents things typically Swiss. The moving background designed by two […]
Swiss trust in institutions remains high compared to rest of world
Earlier this month, the bank Credit Suisse published it’s annual survey, which looks at the level of trust Swiss have in government (The Federal Council, Parliament and States Council), courts (Federal Tribunal), banks, police, NGOs, public administration, internet and television, among other things. Overall 60% of Swiss trust the Federal Council, Switzerland’s executive branch of […]
Switzerland’s 1.3 billion franc payment to EU proves divisive
20 Minutes. Switzerland’s deal with the EU involves a financial contribution. The sum announced by the Federal Council is CHF 1.3 billion over the next 10 years. The arrangement, announced on Thursday to coincide with a visit by european commission president Jean-Claude Juncker, extends a previous 10 year deal. Not everyone is happy with the […]
Switzerland’s Federal Council against banning dual nationals from office
When Ignazio Cassis gave up his Italian nationality ahead of his recent election to the Federal Council some celebrated. According to 20 Minutes, Lorenzo Quadri, from the Lega dei Ticinesi, a political party in the Italian-speaking canton of Ticino, put forward a motion to have this made law. He thinks Federal Councillors, parliamentarians and diplomats […]
How a single event caused Switzerland’s global gender gap ranking to plunge
Every year the World Economic Forum (WEF), a Swiss-based foundation, publishes its Global Gender Gap ranking. This year Switzerland slipped to 21st, down from 11th last year. This slump was caused by a single event. The ranking scores countries in 14 areas. These are weighted and consolidated into a single figure. On 9 of the […]
