Brigitte Hauser-Süess retires after advising five Federal Council members, including Ruth Metzler and Viola Amherd, over 25 years. In a reflective interview, she discusses her role in facilitating discussions, the importance of loyalty and trust among leaders, and her experiences…
Simonetta Sommaruga, former Swiss Federal Councillor and consumer advocate, recalls her role in advancing consumer rights during her tenure with the Swiss Consumer Protection Foundation. In an interview marking 50 years of consumer protection broadcasts on Swiss radio, she discusses…
Following Gerhard Pfister’s announced resignation as President of Mitte Schweiz, the party is set to choose a successor at its upcoming delegate assembly in summer. Pfister, who led the party for nine years, highlighted recent electoral successes and expressed the…
Gerhard Pfister, the President of the Swiss political party Mitte, has announced his resignation effective summer 2025, providing ample time for his successor to prepare for the 2027 elections. Despite being seen as a right-wing conservative when he took office…
The book ‘Heute Abstimmung!’ by historian David Hesse and journalist Philipp Loser explores the mechanics of direct democracy in Switzerland through the lens of 30 pivotal votes from the country’s history. By examining nearly 700 referendums since 1848, they highlight…
Adolf Ogi, the former Swiss Federal Councillor, reflects on his influential New Year’s Day speech from 2000 as Switzerland marks 25 years since the turn of the millennium. He expresses gratitude for the nation’s progress despite global challenges such as…
Bänz Friedli, a Swiss cabaret artist, explores the allure of ignorance in the face of overwhelming global issues, contrasting it with the plight of isolated indigenous tribes in the Amazon. He discusses the human tendency to disengage from the chaotic…
The Swiss People’s Party (SVP) in Zug is pushing for asylum seekers and refugees to receive assistance through debit cards instead of cash. The Zug government supports this proposal but notes that social welfare recipients may also need to transition…
In a historic vote, Swiss Ambassador Jürg Lauber has been elected as the first Swiss Chair of the United Nations Human Rights Council, set to take office in 2025. Lauber, currently serving as the Swiss UN Ambassador in Geneva, expressed…
An administrative investigation revealed that no calculation errors led to inflated figures in the Swiss pension system (AHV). The findings may have influenced public votes, as highlighted by Federal Councilor Elisabeth Baume-Schneider. Two poorly integrated functions in the calculation model…
Marieke Kruit has made history as Bern’s first female city president, elected in November 2024. In a recent interview, she discussed the political divide between urban and rural areas and the need for inclusive policies in the city’s governance. Kruit…
The latest Sotomo election poll reveals that the Swiss People’s Party (SVP) has increased its support by 2 percentage points following the 2023 elections, while left-leaning parties such as the Social Democrats (SP) and the Greens have lost ground. Albert…
