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S U B S C R I B E
WRS stories about CH votes
Voters favor holistic medicine, wary of biometric passports
Thursday, 9 April, 2009
Thursday, 9 April, 2009
Next month Swiss voters head to the polls to give their say on two items on the national ballot. According to a poll conducted by GFS Bern for the Swiss Broadcasting Corporation, voters overwhelmingly support a constitutional amendment favoring holistic medicines. But they remain somewhat wary of the government’s plan to issue biometric passports. Pollster Claude Longchamp told WRS’s Jordan Davis that support for biometric passports is less than the government would probably like.
'Yes' sweeps Free Movement vote
Monday, 9 February, 2009
Switzerland’s agreement on Free Movement of People with the EU will continue. Just shy of 60 percent of Swiss voters voted Sunday to keep the country’s borders open to European workers. Support for the “yes” vote was significantly higher than anyone expected. But what did those surprising results mean? WRS’s Jordan Davis sampled reactions across the political spectrum in Bern.
Monday, 9 February, 2009
Switzerland’s agreement on Free Movement of People with the EU will continue. Just shy of 60 percent of Swiss voters voted Sunday to keep the country’s borders open to European workers. Support for the “yes” vote was significantly higher than anyone expected. But what did those surprising results mean? WRS’s Jordan Davis sampled reactions across the political spectrum in Bern.
Cross-border workers create resentment in Le Locle
Friday, 6 February, 2009
Sunday, Swiss voters will decide on whether they want to renew the Free Movement of People accord with the European Union, the agreement which opens the Swiss labor market to EU nationals. In the city of Le Locle, a third of industrial jobs are occupied by French who live just across the border. The Neuchâtel mountains are a major hub for watchmaking and manufacturing. And not everybody’s happy about the Gallic invasion. WRS’s Jordan Davis takes us on a visit.
Friday, 6 February, 2009
Sunday, Swiss voters will decide on whether they want to renew the Free Movement of People accord with the European Union, the agreement which opens the Swiss labor market to EU nationals. In the city of Le Locle, a third of industrial jobs are occupied by French who live just across the border. The Neuchâtel mountains are a major hub for watchmaking and manufacturing. And not everybody’s happy about the Gallic invasion. WRS’s Jordan Davis takes us on a visit.
Free Movement could lead to 'labor market collapse,' says People's Party
Thursday, 5 February, 2009
The Swiss People’s Party is the only major political party calling for voters to say no this Sunday. The party says extending the labor deal with the European Union to new EU countries Romania and Bulgaria will unleash a flood of workers, driving up unemployment and bankrupting the country’s welfare system. Ulrich Schlüer is a leading voice in the party on issues of sovereignty and immigration. Speaking from his office in Thalwil (ZH), he told WRS’s Jordan Davis that the current economy can’t sustain the Free Movement of People.
Thursday, 5 February, 2009
The Swiss People’s Party is the only major political party calling for voters to say no this Sunday. The party says extending the labor deal with the European Union to new EU countries Romania and Bulgaria will unleash a flood of workers, driving up unemployment and bankrupting the country’s welfare system. Ulrich Schlüer is a leading voice in the party on issues of sovereignty and immigration. Speaking from his office in Thalwil (ZH), he told WRS’s Jordan Davis that the current economy can’t sustain the Free Movement of People.
Investigating 'wage dumping' in Switzerland
Wednesday, 4 February, 2009
A major theme of the campaign ahead of Sunday’s vote on the Free Movement of People accord with the European Union has been the threat of cheap foreign workers undercutting the native Swiss workforce. Among the “accompanying measures” of the current Free Movement agreement is a provision allowing for wage inspectors to ensure that foreign workers are paid prevailing Swiss wages. WRS’s Jordan Davis spent the day with a team in Lausanne and sent this report.
Wednesday, 4 February, 2009
A major theme of the campaign ahead of Sunday’s vote on the Free Movement of People accord with the European Union has been the threat of cheap foreign workers undercutting the native Swiss workforce. Among the “accompanying measures” of the current Free Movement agreement is a provision allowing for wage inspectors to ensure that foreign workers are paid prevailing Swiss wages. WRS’s Jordan Davis spent the day with a team in Lausanne and sent this report.
Is the 'guillotine clause' a lie?
Wednesday, 14 January, 2009
Is the government lying about the famous “Guillotine clause” in its campaign urging voters to approve the Free Movement of Persons labor accord with the European Union? The government claims a “no” vote this February would put an end not only to Free Movement, but all the “Bilateral 1” treaties between Switzerland and the EU. Top People’s Party lawmakers contend that’s an exaggeration. WRS’s Jordan Davis reports.
Wednesday, 14 January, 2009
Is the government lying about the famous “Guillotine clause” in its campaign urging voters to approve the Free Movement of Persons labor accord with the European Union? The government claims a “no” vote this February would put an end not only to Free Movement, but all the “Bilateral 1” treaties between Switzerland and the EU. Top People’s Party lawmakers contend that’s an exaggeration. WRS’s Jordan Davis reports.
Free movement vote likely to be close
Friday, 9 January, 2009
Friday, 9 January, 2009
Swiss voters appear to be for the extension of the Free Movement of Persons accord with the European Union, but the “yes” vote is still short of a majority. A Swiss Broadcasting Corporation poll finds 49 percent say they’ll vote yes on February 8 and 40 percent say they’ll vote no, but 11 percent are still undecided. Pollster Claude Longchamp told WRS’s Jordan Davis that the result of the vote is likely to be close—and that the economy is going to be a decisive factor.
Business groups call free movement a 'success story'
Thursday, 8 January, 2009
Umbrella organizations representing farm and business interests are throwing their support behind renewing the Free Movement of Persons agreement with the European Union. They say the labor deal has created jobs and helped the overall economy. One group representing small and medium-sized businesses, SGV-USAM, called the accord a “success story” during a press conference in Bern yesterday. WRS’s Jordan Davis spoke with Gerold Bührer, head of the Swiss business federation économiesuisse, who was at the meeting.
Thursday, 8 January, 2009
Umbrella organizations representing farm and business interests are throwing their support behind renewing the Free Movement of Persons agreement with the European Union. They say the labor deal has created jobs and helped the overall economy. One group representing small and medium-sized businesses, SGV-USAM, called the accord a “success story” during a press conference in Bern yesterday. WRS’s Jordan Davis spoke with Gerold Bührer, head of the Swiss business federation économiesuisse, who was at the meeting.
'Free movement' campaign begins in earnest
Monday, 5 January, 2009
With the end of the winter holidays, the vote on whether to extend the Free Movement of People agreement with the European Union is just a month away. With a campaign season that’s been cut short are pro-European politicians worried ? WRS’s Jordan Davis talked with Christa Markwalder Bär, Liberal party lawmaker representing the canton of Bern in the Federal House of Representatives, and president of the New European Movement of Switzerland.
Monday, 5 January, 2009
With the end of the winter holidays, the vote on whether to extend the Free Movement of People agreement with the European Union is just a month away. With a campaign season that’s been cut short are pro-European politicians worried ? WRS’s Jordan Davis talked with Christa Markwalder Bär, Liberal party lawmaker representing the canton of Bern in the Federal House of Representatives, and president of the New European Movement of Switzerland.
Government urges 'yes' on EU labor deal
Wednesday, 3 December, 2008
This February voters will decide on renewing the agreement with the European Union on the “Free Movement of People.” That’s the deal that allows EU citizens to work freely in Switzerland and vice-versa. In a press conference Monday, cabinet ministers warned that a “no” vote would have serious consequences: an end to all of the bilateral agreements with the EU. Economics Minister Doris Leuthard told WRS’s Jordan Davis that the free movement agreement has been a boon for the Swiss labor market.
Wednesday, 3 December, 2008
This February voters will decide on renewing the agreement with the European Union on the “Free Movement of People.” That’s the deal that allows EU citizens to work freely in Switzerland and vice-versa. In a press conference Monday, cabinet ministers warned that a “no” vote would have serious consequences: an end to all of the bilateral agreements with the EU. Economics Minister Doris Leuthard told WRS’s Jordan Davis that the free movement agreement has been a boon for the Swiss labor market.
Swiss back tough stance against paedophiles
Monday, 1 December, 2008
Monday, 1 December, 2008
In a surprise result from Sunday’s series of national ballots, Swiss voters backed a proposal to extend indefinitely the statute of limitations against paedophiles, making it easier to prosecute sexual offences against minors.
Michele Mischler spoke to WRS’s Jordan Davis about this and other key votes that took place.
Switzerland votes... on marijuana
Thursday, 27 November, 2008
The Swiss people get the chance this Sunday to vote whether or not to decriminalise marijuana. It’s an issue that’s sparked a lot of interest, explains WRS’s Jordan Davis.
Thursday, 27 November, 2008
The Swiss people get the chance this Sunday to vote whether or not to decriminalise marijuana. It’s an issue that’s sparked a lot of interest, explains WRS’s Jordan Davis.
Voters ponder drug dispensation
Thursday, 27 November, 2008
Should all doctors be able to dispense drugs as well as prescribe them? That’s a question facing voters in the canton of Zurich this weekend. Doctors do already sell drugs in rural areas where pharmacies are thin on the ground but in the cities of Winterthur and Zurich, there is a clear definition of roles. Doctors prescribe, pharmacists dispense. The chemists say - why change a system which works well? The doctors say patients should be free to have a choice. And there’s also a lot of money at stake.
Thursday, 27 November, 2008
Should all doctors be able to dispense drugs as well as prescribe them? That’s a question facing voters in the canton of Zurich this weekend. Doctors do already sell drugs in rural areas where pharmacies are thin on the ground but in the cities of Winterthur and Zurich, there is a clear definition of roles. Doctors prescribe, pharmacists dispense. The chemists say - why change a system which works well? The doctors say patients should be free to have a choice. And there’s also a lot of money at stake.
Green groups fight for 'right of appeal'
Thursday, 27 November, 2008
This Sunday, one of the five items up for a national vote would limit environmental groups’ right to mount legal challenges against development projects, the so-called “right of appeal.” Backers of the initiative say organizations’ endless lawsuits hurt the economy. But environmentalists warn if they can’t stand up for the environment, nobody will. WRS’s Jordan Davis reports.
Thursday, 27 November, 2008
This Sunday, one of the five items up for a national vote would limit environmental groups’ right to mount legal challenges against development projects, the so-called “right of appeal.” Backers of the initiative say organizations’ endless lawsuits hurt the economy. But environmentalists warn if they can’t stand up for the environment, nobody will. WRS’s Jordan Davis reports.
