To run a referendum in Switzerland, vote organisers must first collect a minimum number of signatures from qualified voters. Not all are deemed valid. This week, Switzerland’s federal parliament said it would like a formal investigation into false signatures, in particular those collected by companies paid to collect them for the organisers of referenda, reported […]
Swiss train police to wear body cameras from September
This week, Swiss Rail announced that its transport police would wear body cameras from September 2024. The hope is that the cameras will reduce and diffuse conflict in the face of rising violence in certain situations, said the company. Each team will be equipped with at least one of the 100 cameras purchased, which cost […]
Group against Swiss motorway enlargement launches its campaign
This week, a group in the Lake Geneva region against the federal government’s plan to expand key stretches of the A1 motorway in Switzerland, launched its campaign against the idea ahead of a vote on 24 November, reported RTS. The federal government recently announced a plan to add lanes to six stretches of Switzerland’s A1 […]
Swiss court sets new precedent on divorce payments
Under Swiss law, divorcees can demand spousal payments from their former partner up until the age of retirement. This week, a federal court decided against these payments, setting a new precedent that could potentially affect all women negotiating a divorce settlement, reported SRF. Historically, spousal maintenance payments were designed to support mothers who had decided […]
Government advises Swiss to leave Lebanon
On 31 July 2024, Switzerland’s Federal Department of Foreign Affairs (FDFA) advised all Swiss nationals to leave Lebanon. In addition, it advised against travel to the country. Middle eastern conflict, which has been highly volatile since 7 October 2023, has had a significant impact on the security situation in Lebanon, wrote the agency. There have […]
Switzerland to spend 300 million defending Schengen borders
From 1 August 2024, Switzerland will begin contributing to a fund supporting the protection of the borders of the Schengen zone, a group of European nations with combined land borders of 8,000 km and sea borders of 43,000 km, reported RTS. A total of CHF 300 million has been budgeted to cover the period between […]
Anti-noise vehicle radar test completed in Geneva
Vehicle noise is a problem in Switzerland. The authorities receive a numerous and growing number complaints, particularly in cities. Switzerland’s Federal Office for the Environment (FOEN) placed noise detection radars in Geneva to quantify the problem. This week, they released the results, reported RTS. Radars erected in a number of places in Geneva flashed between […]
Swiss to raise fares to cover costs of environmental regulations
This week, Swiss and its parent Lufthansa group announced fare hikes on flights departing from Europe to cover the cost of complying with European Commission environmental rules, reported RTS. From 1 January 2025, European flyers will pay a surcharge. Anyone departing from the UK, Norway, Switzerland or one of the 27 EU nations will be […]
A majority of young Swiss not prepared to stop flying
Young people make up the majority of climate protestors in Switzerland. However, most (52%) are unwilling to stop flying, compared to 46% across all ages, reported RTS. When asked which mode of transport they would choose for their main holiday in 2024, 51.6% of 18-35 year-olds chose flying, a figure higher than for 36 to […]
New “hygge” hotel in Founex
Brought to you by Yotel Geneva. There’s a brand new hotel in Founex, called the YOTEL, part of an international hotel chain of the same name. What gives it its difference and pizzazz is the added concept of the Danish “Hygge”, which stands for warmth, relaxation and general happiness, of which that northern country is so […]
