The Local Switzerland

Swiss politician's call to ban dual citizens from becoming MPs sparks anger

Mon, 05 Oct 2020 12:23:21 +0200

A deputy representing the rightwing Swiss People’s Party (SVP), claims MPs who hold dual nationality “don’t represent Switzerland’s best interests”. His comments have sparked anger.

'Hate speech': SVP cries censorship after YouTube blocks anti-refugee campaign video

Fri, 11 Oct 2019 11:00:40 +0200

Switzerland's largest party on Thursday accused Google of censorship after a campaign video, which demonised asylum seekers, was removed from YouTube less than two weeks before national elections.

Swiss parliament to boost security with anti-terrorism bollards

Fri, 23 Aug 2019 16:35:05 +0200

The Federal Palace in the Swiss capital of Bern is to get extra security in the form of a dozen stone bollards, it was revealed on Friday.

This is how Switzerland elects a new federal councillor

Thu, 14 Sep 2017 12:45:57 +0200

This Wednesday, the Swiss parliament will vote in two new members of the federal government. Here are ten things you need to know.

Laptop explosion injures Swiss politician

Thu, 11 Oct 2018 13:40:18 +0200

Marina Carobbio, vice president of the National Council, had to seek medical attention for injuries after the battery in her HP government-supplied laptop exploded due to a technical failure.

Government comes out against paternity leave proposal

Fri, 01 Jun 2018 15:09:29 +0200

Hopes that new fathers could in future be granted four weeks’ paternity leave have been dealt a blow by the federal government.

Parliament blocks extra funds for state pension scheme

Thu, 14 Dec 2017 12:35:30 +0100

The failure of the two houses of parliament to agree on next year’s federal budget will result in hundreds of millions of francs going to pay off the country’s debt rather than fund pension provision.

Bern ends Swiss national day on alert as suspicious backpack found near parliament

Wed, 02 Aug 2017 10:52:24 +0200

Police in Bern are asking for witnesses after a security operation on the evening of Swiss national day, August 1st, in which a man who may have been armed left a backpack near the Swiss parliament building.

SVP won’t call referendum on mass immigration initiative

Thu, 08 Dec 2016 10:24:51 +0100

The right-wing Swiss People’s Party (SVP) says it will not call on Swiss voters to decide on how its mass immigration initiative should be implemented.

SVP launch challenge to energy strategy

Fri, 07 Oct 2016 14:08:28 +0200

The Swiss People’s Party (SVP) is to challenge the government’s ‘energy strategy 2050’ to a referendum.

Swiss parliament pays tribute to slain British MP

Fri, 17 Jun 2016 22:49:41 +0200

Swiss members of parliament held a minute’s silence on Friday for Jo Cox, the British Labour MP and pro-EU campaigner who was killed on Thursday.

MPs seek to make ‘sexting’ a criminal act

Fri, 17 Jun 2016 13:25:23 +0200

Parliamentarians have backed a motion to criminalize the sending of sexually explicit photos and videos by mobile phone.

Christoph Blocher quits ‘bureaucratic’ parliament

Fri, 09 May 2014 16:39:00 +0200

Christoph Blocher, the controversial figurehead of the right-wing Swiss People’s Party, is to quit parliament at the end of May.

Swiss medics face ban on new practices

Wed, 06 Mar 2013 14:38:00 +0100

The lower house of the Swiss parliament has voted in favour of reintroducing a three-year limit on the number of licences issued to specialist doctors.

Parliament wants to retain military service

Tue, 05 Mar 2013 12:43:00 +0100

Parliament has rejected an initiative by the Switzerland Without an Army pressure group to scrap conscription.

Swiss MPs examine nuclear shutdown

Wed, 08 Jun 2011 18:37:00 +0200

The Swiss parliament began Wednesday to examine a government proposal to phase out the country's nuclear plants by 2034.

Voters to get more say over foreign policy

Thu, 14 Apr 2011 12:53:00 +0200

The lower house of the Swiss parliament has approved an initiative to give voters a greater influence over foreign policy.