Politics
Swiss voters accept a reform of the pension system
Swiss voters narrowly accepted a reform of the pension system on Sunday September 25.2 min
‘When the media is killed, society loses’
Earlier this year Joel Vera was forced to shut down his online news portal in Mexico after two colleagues were murdered.4 min
Lucerne, the capital city that never was
Lucerne tried three times to become the Swiss capital. It nonetheless played a decisive role in the birth of Swiss democracy.3 min
Let's Talk: pension reform debate
A revamp of Switzerland’s pension system is set for a popular vote on September 25. SWI swissinfo.ch organised a special debate on the issue.34 min
How exclusion became the driving force for democratisation
Geneva is a pioneer for giving people with severe mental or physical disabilities the right to vote.4 min
Animal welfare: people’s initiative takes aim at factory farming
Swiss voters are deciding on a proposed ban on factory farming, a sensitive issue in a country that already has strict animal welfare laws.1 min
Pension reform: Swiss to vote on retirement age hike for women
On September 25, voters decide on a reform of the pension system that includes lifting the retirement age for women from 64 to 65.2 min
‘Vital for the future’: what our readers think of gender-neutral conscription
Readers' views on a compulsory service for women and men largely reflect the majority opinion on the subject in Switzerland.2 min
Neuchâtel: where one woman broke the male monopoly on politics
The first woman in Switzerland ever to be elected to a cantonal parliament was Raymonde Schweizer.3 min
Two years on, how has Covid marked Swiss democracy?
In spring 2020, democracy took a hit when health measures also meant the curtailing of political rights.8 min
President thanks Swiss Abroad ahead of national day
Swiss emigrants and their families “build bridges and forge new paths”, says Ignazio Cassis in his August 1 speech.3 min
How a strike threat reshaped Swiss democracy
The general strike called in Olten in 1918 was like an earthquake for Swiss politics.4 min
Russia has passed ‘100 new laws’ restricting press freedom
Galina Timchenko, the Russian-Ukrainian editor-in-chief of meduza.io, still writes about what Russian media can no longer publish due to censorship.3 min
How popular votes made Switzerland a global democracy leader
The latest in our 'Swiss democracy hotspots' series: Schaffhausen, a canton with an almost unbelievable voting record.3 min
Ukrainian students adjust to life in Switzerland
The Lucerne School of Art and Design has taken in 29 Ukrainian students – as exchange students rather than refugees.5 min
The Swiss constitution – a mix of democracy and federalism
The first version of the Swiss constitution was a breakthrough on the road to democratisation. But it was far from perfect.3 min
Paolo Berizzi, an Italian journalist living under 24-hour police protection
Paolo Berizzi of La Repubblica newspaper has been under round-the-clock police protection for three years.3 min
Swiss voters say ‘yes’ to new organ donation model
Some 60% of Swiss voters have accepted a reform to the transplantation law aiming to boost organ donation rates.2 min
How canton Ticino became a democracy pioneer in Europe
Canton Ticino is today a popular tourist destination. Back in July 1830 it was the scene of the first liberal revolution in Europe.3 min
How parliamentary elections work in Switzerland
Every four years voters in Switzerland elect politicians to represent them in the Swiss capital, Bern. This is how the Swiss parliament is structured.1 min
