#SWITZERLAND: Voters Approve Pension Raise

[world politics news]

Swiss voters backed a plan to raise pensions, the first time in the country’s history that social benefits got an increase via plebiscite.

The proposal to introduce a 13th annual payout to pensioners was supported by 58.2% of the electorate and also met the additional requirement of being passed in the majority of Switzerland’s cantons. A second initiative to raise the retirement age — and subsequently tie it to life expectancy — was rejected, garnering only 25.3% of votes.

[FULL STORY HERE]

World Politics News is dedicated to raising Americans' knowledge of political events, elections, and legislation throughout the world.

#SWITZERLAND: Parliamentary Commission Says Milirary Aid To Ukraine Possible

[world politics news]

A Commission of the Council of Cantons of the Federal Assembly, the upper house of the Swiss Parliament, has recommended easing export controls on Swiss military equipment, which could potentially benefit Ukraine in the future.

The commission, taking into account the country's long-standing policy of military neutrality, adopted proposals according to which, after a similar decision of the sister committee of the lower house of parliament in January, a corresponding draft law on the possible re-export of Swiss weapons to third countries under certain strict conditions can now be prepared.

[FULL STORY HERE]

World Politics News is dedicated to raising Americans' knowledge of political events, elections, and legislation throughout the world.

#SWITZERLAND: Lawmakers Take Symbolic vote Rejecting Bank Merger

[world politics news]

The Swiss Lower House has voted to retrospectively reject the 109 billion Swiss

 Franc rescue package for the embattled Credit Suisse bank.

On Tuesday the upper house approved the package. The vote was largelybaymbolic, 

since the Takeover of the bank by UBS has already occurred.

[FULL STORY HERE]

World Politics News is dedicated to raising Americans' knowledge of political events, elections, and legislation throughout the world.

#SWITZERLAND: Parliament Opens Inquiry Into Credit Suisse Takeover By UBS.

[world politics news]

The Office of the National Council, the lower house of the Swiss parliament, is calling for a parliamentary inquiry commission to be set up to examine details of the recent takeover of Credit Suisse by UBS.

The Office of the National Council voted unanimously in favor of the establishment of the Parliamentary Commission (PUK) to clarify the responsibilities of the authorities and bodies in connection with Credit Suisse’s takeover by UBS, it said.

[FULL STORY HERE]

World Politics News is dedicated to raising Americans' knowledge of political events, elections, and legislation throughout the world.

#SWITZERLAND: Parliament To Tighten Rape Laws

[world politics news]

The lower house of Switzerland's parliament voted Monday to dramatically broaden the country's limited definition of rape to include all sex without consent, but a law-change is still a long way off.

[FULL STORY HERE]

World Politics News is dedicated to raising Americans' knowledge of political events, elections, and legislation throughout the world.

#SWITZERLAND: Farming Reform Defeated In Referendum

[world politics news]

Voters in Switzerland have rejected a referendum motion that would have put an end to factory farming in the country.

Almost two-thirds of those who cast a ballot opposed the initiative, which would have outlawed intensive farming methods.

[FULL STORY HERE]

World Politics News is dedicated to raising Americans' knowledge of political events, elections, and legislation throughout the world.

#SWITZERLAND: Voters Consider Raising Retirement Age For Women

[world politics news]

Switzerland votes Sunday on a slew of issues, including a proposed ban on factory farming and divisive pension reform that would raise the retirement age for women to 65 from the current age of 64 in an attempt to rescue the retirement system.

[FULL STORY HERE]

World Politics News is dedicated to raising Americans' knowledge of political events, elections, and legislation throughout the world.

#SWITZERLAND: Voters Reject Carbon Tax Hikes In Referendum

[world politics news]

Switzerland’s strategy to abide by the Paris Agreement on Climate Change has hit a roadblock with a narrow majority of voters rejecting a law to radically curb greenhouse gases by hiking carbon taxes. The CO2 law was rejected on Sunday by 51.6% of voters.

The negative outcome represents a major upset. In 2018, French government proposals to hike gasoline and carbon taxes sparked civil unrest throughout the country. the government of Emmanuel Macron eventually back down and put the proposed tax hikes "on hold," permanently.

Swiss politics has long been characterized by putting mini issues before voters in frequent popular referenda.

[FULL STORY HERE] (Warning: BIAS)

World Politics News is dedicated to raising Americans' knowledge of political events, elections, and legislation throughout the world.

#SWITZERLAND: Swiss Break Off Treaty Talks With EU

[world politics news]

After years of talks, Switzerland has scrapped efforts aimed at agreeing an over-arching treaty with the EU.

Switzerland is not in the European Union but has signed up to many of its policies, such as freedom of movement.

[FULL STORY HERE]

World Politics News is dedicated to raising Americans' knowledge of political events, elections, and legislation throughout the world.

#SWITZERLAND: Chief Vaccination Officer Insists: "Switzerland Has Not Failed"

[world politics news] 

After weeks of criticism of the Swiss vaccination campaign, it is slowly gaining momentum after the approval and shipment of the Moderna vaccine.  

But the Swiss vaccination campaign came under heavy fire in recent weeks after too few doses of vaccine had been ordered and some said, too late.

But Nora Kronig, Vice Director of the FOPH and responsible for the Swiss vaccination strategy, categorically denies there has been a failure when it was farmed as such.

"No, on the contrary," she said. "We are on track.  We already started preparing the vaccination campaign in March 2020.  Switzerland secured exactly the three vaccines that came onto the market first.  In comparison, we were even very early on with the purchase agreements."

[FULL STORY HERE] (in German)

World Politics News is dedicated to raising Americans' knowledge of political events, elections, and legislation throughout the world.

#SWITZERLAND: New Law Makes Homophobia A Crime

[world politics news]

Switzerland has made homophobia and transphobia illegal. Those in violation of the new law will face up to three years in jail.

People who are homophobic or transphobic toward someone else face the same punishment as if they were racist toward them.

Switzerland’s National Council voted by 118-60 votes to update the penal code.

The Swiss People's Party, the largest party in the country, opposed the legislation.

[FULL STORY HERE]

World Politics News is dedicated to raising Americans' knowledge of political events, elections, and legislation throughout the world.

#SWITZERLAND: New Poll Says Initiative To Put Swiss Law Ahead Of International Law Headed For Defeat

[world politics news]

A survey suggests a referendum that would put Swiss national laws above International Law is headed for defeat. The Nov. 25th referendum, the "Swiss law, not foreign judges" initiative, put forward by the Swiss People's Party, has the support of 37% of voters, while 61% say they're "against" or "definitely against" the proposal, which would see the role of international law in Switzerland greatly reduced so the country has more control over its own affairs. Switzerland puts more initiatives and legislation before the people for a direct vote than any other nation.

[FULL STORY HERE]

World Politics News is dedicated to raising Americans' knowledge of political events, elections, and legislation throughout the world.

#SWITZERLAND: Voters Reject Nuclear Power, Embrace Renewables; Critics Warn Of Energy Shortages

[world politics news]

Voters have endorsed a new energy law that aims to promote renewable energy, ban new nuclear power plants and lower energy consumption. Final results show just over 58% of voters on Sunday coming out in favor of the Energy Strategy program. Supporters said the result is a "historic step for Switzerland," while opponents have warned of a shortage of energy supplies in winter. Interestingly, regions where the country's five nuclear reactors are situated rejected the reform with clear majorities.

[FULL STORY HERE]

#SWITZERLAND: Lower House Votes To Halt Funding For Orgs Promoting Israel Divestment Policy

[world politics news]

Switzerland’s lower house of parliament voted to halt public funding for organizations that promote racism, anti-Semitism and hate. Christian Imark of the right-wing populist Swiss People’s Party, submitted the bill to prevent funds ending up in the hands of Palestinian organizations that call for violence, expulsion of Jews and destruction of the State of Israel. Specifically targeted was the "BDS" movement, advocating boycotts, divestment and sanctions against Israel. The Social Democratic, Green and Green-Liberal parties opposed the bill.

[FULL STORY HERE]

#SWITZERLAND: After 3 Years, "Anti-Mass Immigration" Referendum Greatly Watered Down by Legislature

[world politics news]

After nearly three years, the Swiss parliament has finally decided how to deal with the February 2014 ‘against mass immigration’ referendum, even if its solution bears little resemblance to the text of the initiative voted for by the public back then. The legislation amends rules giving unemployed domestic workers  preference over EU nationals for jobs in Switzerland.

[FULL STORY HERE]

#SWITZERLAND: In Lower House Bill, Citizens Get Priority Over Foreigners In Hiring

[world politics news]

The smaller chamber of parliament has backed legislation by a Liberal-Radical MP for implementing the immigration initiative approved by Swiss voters in 2014. The concept proposed by Philipp Müller foresees Swiss residents being prioritized over foreign workers for job vacancies. The right-leaning Swiss People’s Party championed the legislation, a less stringent version of which was passed this week by liberal parties.

[FULL STORY HERE]

Pictured: Posters for and against the 2014 referendum on tightening hiring standards for migrants.

#SWITZERLAND: Parliament Votes To Ban Wearing Burkas In Public

[world politics news]

The Swiss parliament has voted to ban Muslim women from wearing the Burka in public. The National Council passed the vote 88 to 87, with 10 abstentions. The ruling stated that "no person shall cover his face in public places and in places or hide in the public domain or the provision of public services (excluding sacred sites)."

[FULL STORY HERE]

#SWITZERLAND: Defense Min. Defends Extended Security Powers Ahead Of Sept 25 Vote

[world politics news]

Swiss Defense Minister Guy Parmelin says Switzerland is currently not adequately protected against terrorist threats. His government is seeking greater security powers in a Sept. 25 nationwide vote. The new law would allow intelligence services to conduct preventative monitoring, including tapping telephones, bugging rooms and hacking computers.

#SWITZERLAND: Guaranteed Basic Income Plan Defeated Soundly By Voters

[world politics news]

Switzerland has become the first country in the world to hold a nationwide vote on introducing an unconditional basic income. Despite a spectacular pro campaign, there was no hope of it winning a majority. Official final results show the proposal winning 23.1% of the vote and all the country's 26 cantons coming out against.

#SWITZERLAND: UN To Renovate 1930s-Era Euro HQ With Help Of Swiss Loan

[world politics news]

The government is asking parliament to approve a loan of $440 million for renovation projects to refurbish the Palais des Nations, the European headquarters of the United Nations, which was built in the 1930s. The complex hosts about 10,000 UN employees, more than its official headquarters in New York. Renovations will be completed by 2023.