The Local Switzerland

Thousands protest inaction over climate crisis in Switzerland

Sun, 20 Sep 2026 10:07:05 +0200

Several thousand people marched in the Swiss cities of Geneva and Lausanne on Saturday to protest government inaction in the face of global warming.

Clashes as thousands protest in Geneva ahead of G7 summit in France

Sun, 14 Jun 2026 17:55:38 +0200

Protesters in Geneva threw stones and firecrackers at the police, who responded with tear gas and water cannons during a demonstration Sunday against the G7 summit in nearby Evian.

The disruptions in and around Geneva you need to be aware of in June

Fri, 22 May 2026 11:34:38 +0200

Geneva residents have been warned about disturbances to expect in mid-June. They concern visitors to the Swiss city as well.

Pro-Palestinian rallies held across Europe as Gaza truce holds

Sun, 12 Oct 2025 10:27:54 +0200

Pro-Palestinian protesters marched in several cities in Europe on Saturday, voicing cautious hope with a dose of scepticism as a ceasefire between Israel and Hamas in Gaza entered its second day.

Tens of thousands join pro-Palestinian marches across Europe

Sun, 22 Jun 2025 11:13:27 +0200

Tens of thousands of pro-Palestinian protesters marched in European cities calling for an end to the war in Gaza, hours before President Donald Trump said the US military had attacked three Iranian nuclear sites Sunday.

Police clear pro-Palestinian camp from Swiss university

Wed, 15 May 2024 13:54:47 +0200

Swiss police moved in early on Wednesday to remove dozens of pro-Palestinian student protesters holed up in the University of Bern, the school said in a statement.

How free are people to protest in Switzerland?

Wed, 24 Apr 2024 17:25:47 +0200

As a centre of international diplomacy and cooperation and with its unique system of direct democracy, Switzerland enjoys a reputation for upholding fundamental human rights—but how free are the Swiss to express their opposition to power?

Farmers dump sheep killed by wolves in front of Swiss government building

Sun, 07 Apr 2024 15:09:54 +0200

Swiss sheep farmers on Saturday dumped the bodies of animals killed by wolves in front of a regional government building, demanding more action against the predators, Swiss media reported.

Tractors converge on Rome as farmers protest across Europe

Sun, 04 Feb 2024 10:53:54 +0100

A convoy of tractors was poised Saturday to descend on Rome as farmers' protests caused disruptions across Europe, though they wound down in France following government concessions.

Pro-Palestinian demonstrators rally across Europe

Sun, 19 Nov 2023 11:44:21 +0100

Thousands of protesters rallied across France Saturday calling for a ceasefire in Gaza, while hundreds of others turned out again in cities across Europe.

Thousands march for Palestinians in UK, France and Switzerland

Sun, 29 Oct 2023 09:47:07 +0100

Tens of thousands of pro-Palestinian protesters marched in Britain Saturday calling for a ceasefire as Israel's army intensified its assault on the Gaza Strip. Thousands more demonstrated in France and Switzerland.

Germany's Rammstein band fans and sex assault protesters face off at Swiss concert

Sun, 18 Jun 2023 14:59:03 +0200

Around 150 protesters gathered outside a Bern stadium Saturday, trying to out-shout thousands of Rammstein fans pouring in to see their favourite band, despite a wave of sexual assault claims.

IN PICTURES: Thousands march in Switzerland against Ukraine war

Sat, 02 Apr 2022 20:07:55 +0200

Thousands of people braved a surprise spring snowstorm in the Swiss capital Bern on Saturday to demand an end to Russia's devastating war in Ukraine.

How Switzerland plans to tackle its vaccine scepticism problem

Sat, 26 Jun 2021 12:07:54 +0200

Switzerland’s expanding vaccination campaign has already encountered a degree of scepticism. Here’s what the government hopes to do about it.

IN PICTURES: Protests spread across Europe as coronavirus surges create new lockdowns

Sun, 21 Mar 2021 15:39:31 +0100

Tens of thousands of protesters angry at Covid-19 restrictions rallied in cities across Europe on Saturday as several nations reimposed partial lockdowns to fight new surges in infections.

Hundreds protest Covid restrictions in Switzerland

Sun, 07 Feb 2021 09:58:57 +0100

Around 500 demonstrators wearing protective suits marched through the Swiss tax haven of Zug on Saturday to protest against the government's Covid restrictions.

As many as 50,000 protest climate change in Switzerland

Sun, 07 Apr 2019 12:10:56 +0200

Tens of thousands of people demonstrated on Saturday in several Swiss cities against climate change, the Swiss news agency Keystone-ATS reported.

Glance around Switzerland: Begging fines, cable car rescue and ID cards for illegal immigrants

Fri, 02 Nov 2018 14:33:00 +0100

Our round up of stories that you might have missed this week includes protests against begging fines, an emergency cable car rescue, continued construction strikes and more.

Bern calls for witnesses as police investigate violent protests

Wed, 01 Mar 2017 11:46:40 +0100

Bern cantonal police have opened an investigation after a series of demonstrations in the Swiss capital last week turned violent.

Geneva to tighten protest restrictions: results

Sun, 11 Mar 2012 13:31:00 +0100

Residents in Geneva approved in a referendum on Sunday imposing tighter restrictions on demonstrations and authorising stiff fines for violators, according to near complete results.