The Local Switzerland

New platform gives foreigners in Switzerland 'chance to vote'

Thu, 06 Jun 2019 15:57:11 +0200

Two students in Zurich have developed an online platform designed to give people without a political voice in Switzerland a chance to cast a vote.

Why Switzerland's gun referendum threatens its membership of Schengen

Thu, 16 May 2019 15:00:21 +0200

If Swiss voters reject new gun laws in a referendum on Sunday, Switzerland could be forced to leave the Schengen Area. Here’s why.

Support for Switzerland’s urban sprawl initiative falling

Wed, 30 Jan 2019 10:40:36 +0100

Two new polls suggest the Swiss public will vote no in an upcoming referendum which would see the country put a freeze on the amount of land zoned for construction in a bid to preserve the countryside.

Press round-up: 'Swiss law first' result a 'slap in the face' for SVP

Mon, 26 Nov 2018 12:12:07 +0100

Here's how the Swiss national press reacted to the huge defeat for the Swiss People’s Party and its ‘Swiss law first’ initiative on Sunday.

Cow horn initiative rejected by Swiss voters

Sun, 25 Nov 2018 17:34:57 +0100

An initiative designed to stop Swiss farmers dehorning cows and goats has been rejected by voters at a referendum.

Swiss voters hand overwhelming defeat to 'Swiss law first' initiative

Sun, 25 Nov 2018 15:30:20 +0100

Swiss voters have rejected the 'Swiss law first' initiative with an overwhelming majority saying no to the initiative in a referendum, projections show.

Switzerland votes: key facts about the social detective referendum

Sun, 18 Nov 2018 20:41:56 +0100

This coming Sunday, Swiss voters will vote on whether to accept changes to the social security law which give 'social detectives' extensive powers to observe people suspected of welfare fraud.

Voters set to shun 'Swiss law first' initiative: poll

Wed, 14 Nov 2018 10:01:13 +0100

Over 60 percent of Swiss voters plan to vote against the right-wing 'Swiss law not foreign judges' initiative on November 25th, according to a new poll.

What you need to know about the 'Swiss law first' referendum

Mon, 29 Oct 2018 19:52:17 +0100

On November 25th Swiss voters will be casting their ballots in what is one of the country's most significant referendums in recent years: the so-called 'Swiss law not foreign judges' initiative. Here we take a look at the key issues.

Five things we learned from Switzerland's weekend referendums

Mon, 24 Sep 2018 12:42:30 +0200

Swiss voters cast their ballots in several national and regional referendums on the weekend. Here are the key takeaways.

Direct democracy: Regional 'burqa ban' up for vote in Switzerland

Fri, 21 Sep 2018 10:56:15 +0200

A second Swiss canton will vote Sunday on whether to introduce a regional "burqa ban", a controversial law that would prohibit all face-covering garments in public spaces.

What you need to know about Switzerland’s two food referendums

Mon, 17 Sep 2018 22:53:39 +0200

Swiss voters are being asked to cast their vote on two different food referendums this Sunday. We take a look at the issues on the table.

Swiss referendum results: everything you need to know

Mon, 05 Mar 2018 12:33:03 +0100

Swiss voters once again participated in the country's unique system of direct democracy on Sunday, casting their ballots on matters of national, regional and local import. Here are the key results.

Swiss vote for gradual nuclear phaseout

Sun, 21 May 2017 17:10:52 +0200

The Swiss voted on Sunday in favour of a massive overhaul of the country's energy system by gradually replacing the power from its ageing nuclear reactors with renewable sources.

Direct democracy in Swiss firing line

Wed, 07 Dec 2011 13:03:00 +0100

The National Council approved on Tuesday the creation of a Constitutional Court in a move seen by opponents as a step towards the dismantlement of Switzerland's tradition of direct democracy.