The Local Switzerland

Swiss economy must save billions, warns minister

Mon, 09 May 2016 14:52:38 +0200

Switzerland could be in for spending cutbacks over the next few years as the federal government looks to save an additional three billion francs ($3.1bn).

Defence minister's son in suspicious car crash

Wed, 11 Nov 2015 10:58:48 +0100

The 18-year-old son of Defence Minister Ueli Maurer has embarrassed his father again by crashing the family car into a house after reportedly drinking.

Minister rapped over private jet trip to Brazil

Thu, 24 Sep 2015 14:40:52 +0200

Switzerland’s minister for sport, Ueli Maurer, is under fire for spending more than 200,000 francs ($205,000) on a private jet to take him to Brazil to watch the Swiss national football team in a World Cup match last year, it emerged on Thursday.

Switzerland approves plan to buy Israeli drones

Tue, 08 Sep 2015 10:57:33 +0200

Switzerland's parliament on Monday voted in favour of a controversial plan to buy six Israeli surveillance drones worth 250 million Swiss francs ($256 million, €230 million).

Defence minister's son caught with cannabis

Tue, 17 Jun 2014 12:18:00 +0200

The youngest son of Swiss Defence Minister Ueli Maurer faces charges of possessing pot and attempting to evade a police check, according to media reports on Tuesday.

Maurer: Sochi Olympics boycott 'would be mean'

Mon, 23 Dec 2013 11:25:00 +0100

Swiss President Ueli Maurer has said that he will attend the Russian Winter Olympics in Sochi in 2014 despite other world leaders’ decision to boycott the event in protest over a recent Russian anti-gay law.

Swiss join in paying tribute to Mandela

Fri, 06 Dec 2013 12:05:45 +0100

The Swiss government joined those from dozens around the world in playing tribute to the late Nelson Mandela, South Africa’s first black president, credited with ending racial apartheid in his country.

US agencies spied from Geneva mission: report

Wed, 30 Oct 2013 00:55:00 +0100

American spies used high-performance antennas hidden behind a false facade on the roof of the US Mission to the United Nations in Geneva to intercept mobile phone calls and internet messages from foreign diplomats, according to a report published on Tuesday by German magazine Der Spiegel.

Swiss president raps US for spying on 'friends'

Sat, 26 Oct 2013 23:49:00 +0200

Swiss President Ueli Maurer said in comments broadcast on Saturday that he was outraged at revelations of sweeping US surveillance on allies, insisting the snooping would weaken rather than strengthen Washington.

Maurer takes flak over China tank division visit

Fri, 19 Jul 2013 18:44:00 +0200

Swiss President Ueli Maurer is facing controversy in Switzerland for becoming the first western leader to visit a tank division in China, where he is on a four-day official visit.

Swiss ready to probe Snowden ‘if warranted’

Mon, 17 Jun 2013 01:40:00 +0200

Swiss President Ueli Maurer says Switzerland is prepared to launch a criminal investigation against American spy Edward Snowden if concrete proof of his activities in the Alpine country is confirmed.

Swiss president against banking secrecy changes

Mon, 15 Apr 2013 01:47:00 +0200

Swiss President Ueli Maurer says he sees "no need to change strategy" after fellow financial centre Luxembourg eased its bank secrecy practices.

Swiss president Maurer abandons Facebook

Thu, 11 Apr 2013 23:06:00 +0200

Disappointed with the results of his brief foray into the most popular social medium on earth, Swiss President Ueli Maurer has given up his Facebook account.

Plan to cut aerobatic team raises hackles

Wed, 13 Feb 2013 19:38:00 +0100

Many Swiss were outraged Wednesday after hearing that the country's beloved aerobatic red planes with their characteristic white crosses, the Patrouille Suisse, will be cut from the Swiss air force by 2016.

Right-wing Maurer elected Swiss president

Wed, 05 Dec 2012 11:35:00 +0100

Swiss People’s Party (SVP) cabinet minister Ueli Maurer was elected Swiss president for the coming year in a vote on Wednesday by the federal assembly, a joint meeting of the upper and lower houses of parliament.

Amnesty mocks SVP over asylum laws

Mon, 01 Oct 2012 19:01:00 +0200

The Swiss chapter of Amnesty International is using humour and satire in a new hard-hitting campaign to combat policies that toughen conditions for asylum seekers in Switzerland.

Only a lunatic would join the EU: Swiss minister

Thu, 21 Jun 2012 16:07:00 +0200

Nobody in their right mind would consider joining the European Union in its current state, Switzerland’s defence minister believes.