This week, Switzerland’s Federal Council announced it was against a popular initiative to make it easier to become Swiss. The team behind the initiative hopes to convince a majority of Swiss voters to allow foreign residents to apply for citizenship after 5 years of residence, regardless of the type or permit held. Currently, 10 years […]
Swiss-EU deal acceptance more likely after progress on wage protection
In Switzerland, there is resistance to EU deals on both the left and right. On the right concern tends to be focused on loss of self determination, cultural erosion and overcrowding. On the left, key sticking points are loss of trade protection and wage dumping. This week, progress was made on wage protection, reported RTS. […]
Commission against mandatory referendum on Switzerland’s EU deal
On 20 December 2024, EU Commission President Ursula von der Leyen visited Bern to conclude the long negotiations between Switzerland and the EU on their future relationship. The terms agreed between Brussels and Bern now need to be formalised in legal form. However, it is likely that those against the relationship or the form of […]
Recreational cannabis use could soon be legalised in Switzerland
Switzerland could be a step closer to legalising cannabis for non-medical use after a parliamentary health commission voted 14 versus 9 in favour of a draft bill on the subject, reported RTS. Currently, the cultivation, sale and consumption of cannabis for non-medical use is a fineable offence in Switzerland. Since 2023, there have been short […]
Swiss votes, initiatives and referenda – a guide
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. […]
