The Local Switzerland

Second resignation in a week: Swiss environment minister to quit government

Thu, 27 Sep 2018 13:09:07 +0200

Switzerland's Environment Minister Doris Leuthard is to step down from the seven-member Swiss government, known as the Federal Council, at the end of the year.

New Swiss president calls for cohesion in New Year address

Mon, 02 Jan 2017 10:27:22 +0100

Doris Leuthard, who took over as president of the Swiss confederation on January 1st, spoke of cohesion in her New Year address, saying the Swiss people should stick together, whatever their differences.

Doris Leuthard: ten facts about the new Swiss president

Wed, 07 Dec 2016 12:27:58 +0100

Doris Leuthard is to be Switzerland’s president in 2017, after she was elected on Wednesday.

Bern launches bid to double Gotthard tunnel

Wed, 28 Oct 2015 09:20:16 +0100

The federal government is backing a 2.8-billion-franc proposal to build a second tube for the Gotthard road tunnel under the Alps before renovating the existing facility, which opened in 1980.

‘No’ to road tax hike leaves funding hole

Mon, 25 Nov 2013 11:24:00 +0100

The federal government is now scrambling to find alternative forms of financing for road works after Swiss voters rejected a proposed hike in the motorway tax.

Swiss wage war on Asian long-horned beetle

Thu, 13 Jun 2013 13:10:00 +0200

Switzerland is renewing its fight against a pest from the Far East known for its capacity to decimate trees.

Swiss to hike road sticker price by 150%

Fri, 21 Sep 2012 12:09:00 +0200

For the first time in 17 years, the Swiss parliament has decided to raise the price for the mandatory annual sticker - or vignette - that allows motorists access to the nation's motorways.

Introducing... Doris Leuthard

Fri, 04 May 2012 16:50:00 +0200

Introducing... is The Local's new column giving the lowdown on a top Swiss personality. This week Lyssandra Sears looks at the woman who was recently voted Switzerland’s favourite politician and once got wellied at the Mountain Cheese Olympics.

Swiss to place cap on second homes

Mon, 12 Mar 2012 11:47:00 +0100

In future, only 20 percent of residences in any one community in Switzerland can be used as second homes, voters decided on Sunday.

Swiss to make TV licence fee compulsory

Wed, 14 Sep 2011 15:48:58 +0200

All Swiss households bar the very poorest must soon pay for a TV and radio license even if they claim not to own a television or radio, the country's parliament decided on Tuesday.

Swiss minister sorry for Taliban allusion

Fri, 26 Aug 2011 11:22:00 +0200

Swiss government minister Doris Leuthard has apologized for likening Germans campaigning against noise pollution from Zürich airport to Taliban terrorists.

German anti-noise campaigners are 'Taliban': Swiss minister

Thu, 25 Aug 2011 16:41:00 +0200

Swiss government minister Doris Leuthard has caused a furore by comparing southern German anti-airport noise campaigners with Taliban terrorists during a panel discussion in Zürich on Monday.