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S U B S C R I B E
WRS stories about CH votes
Business interests win out in tax competition vote
Monday, 29 November, 2010
There was another initiative on the ballot yesterday—one from the Social Democrats. It called for putting limits on cantonal tax competition. It was strongly rejected at the ballot box. WRS’s Conor Lennon speaks to Social Democrat MP Karen Kiener Nellen who represents the canton of Bern. She campaigned in favor of that initiative:
Monday, 29 November, 2010
There was another initiative on the ballot yesterday—one from the Social Democrats. It called for putting limits on cantonal tax competition. It was strongly rejected at the ballot box. WRS’s Conor Lennon speaks to Social Democrat MP Karen Kiener Nellen who represents the canton of Bern. She campaigned in favor of that initiative:
Voters accept 'foreign criminals' initiative
Sunday, 28 November, 2010
The Swiss people have spoken and they’ve voted in favor of the automatic expulsion of foreign criminals. 52.9 percent approved the Swiss People’s Party’s initiative yesterday. Not a single canton backed the Parliament’s counter project—which aimed to attract voters to what centre-right parties said was a tough text that reflected the spirit of the Swiss People’s Party’s initiative, but also respected international law. WRS’s Jordan Davis joins us from the Federal Palace in Bern:
Sunday, 28 November, 2010
The Swiss people have spoken and they’ve voted in favor of the automatic expulsion of foreign criminals. 52.9 percent approved the Swiss People’s Party’s initiative yesterday. Not a single canton backed the Parliament’s counter project—which aimed to attract voters to what centre-right parties said was a tough text that reflected the spirit of the Swiss People’s Party’s initiative, but also respected international law. WRS’s Jordan Davis joins us from the Federal Palace in Bern:
'Black Sheep' initiative favored by some migrants
Monday, 22 November, 2010
The Swiss People’s Party’s initiative on deporting foreign criminals is often accused of being unfair to migrants and even xenophobic by its opponents. And yet there are many migrants who support it. Some are even campaigning for it. WRS’s Lucas Chambers went to meet some of them:
Monday, 22 November, 2010
The Swiss People’s Party’s initiative on deporting foreign criminals is often accused of being unfair to migrants and even xenophobic by its opponents. And yet there are many migrants who support it. Some are even campaigning for it. WRS’s Lucas Chambers went to meet some of them:
Swiss Broadcasting Poll shows voters have minds made up
Thursday, 18 November, 2010
The last poll of the season shows voters are beginning to have second thoughts about the Social Democrats’ initiative to limit cantonal tax competition on high incomes and major fortunes. In a Swiss Broadcasting Corporation poll, 46 percent said that they would vote for it. That’s down 12 points from the the same poll a month ago. As for the initiative to deport foreign criminals 54 percent of voters still support it. Claude Longchamp of GFS Bern conducted the poll. He told WRS’s Jordan Davis results show only 3 percent of voters haven’t made up their minds on what they think about the Swiss People’s Party’s initiative:
Thursday, 18 November, 2010
The last poll of the season shows voters are beginning to have second thoughts about the Social Democrats’ initiative to limit cantonal tax competition on high incomes and major fortunes. In a Swiss Broadcasting Corporation poll, 46 percent said that they would vote for it. That’s down 12 points from the the same poll a month ago. As for the initiative to deport foreign criminals 54 percent of voters still support it. Claude Longchamp of GFS Bern conducted the poll. He told WRS’s Jordan Davis results show only 3 percent of voters haven’t made up their minds on what they think about the Swiss People’s Party’s initiative:
How 'Black Sheep' initiative may run afoul of EU rules
Monday, 15 November, 2010
Two weeks from today we’ll be talking about the results of the Swiss People’s Party’s initiative to expel foreign criminals. And later this week, the final Swiss Broadcasting Corporation poll will come out. Surveys carried out already show the initiative has strong support. However, detractors warn it runs afoul of Switzerland’s accord with the European Union on the free movement of people—that’s the accord that gives citizens of EU countries the right to work in Switzerland and vice versa. WRS’s Jordan Davis explains the relationship between the initiative and the free movement of people accord:
Monday, 15 November, 2010
Two weeks from today we’ll be talking about the results of the Swiss People’s Party’s initiative to expel foreign criminals. And later this week, the final Swiss Broadcasting Corporation poll will come out. Surveys carried out already show the initiative has strong support. However, detractors warn it runs afoul of Switzerland’s accord with the European Union on the free movement of people—that’s the accord that gives citizens of EU countries the right to work in Switzerland and vice versa. WRS’s Jordan Davis explains the relationship between the initiative and the free movement of people accord:
Dateline CH: 'Black Sheep' satire follows posters to limit
Thursday, 11 November, 2010
With the vote on the infamous so-called “Black Sheep” initiative looming, BBC foreign correspondent Imogen Foulkes has come across a Swiss German comedian who’s puncturing the growing negativity surrounding discussions of foreigners—with humor. Some say he’s gone too far, but Foulkes says no further than those Swiss People’s Party posters:
Thursday, 11 November, 2010
With the vote on the infamous so-called “Black Sheep” initiative looming, BBC foreign correspondent Imogen Foulkes has come across a Swiss German comedian who’s puncturing the growing negativity surrounding discussions of foreigners—with humor. Some say he’s gone too far, but Foulkes says no further than those Swiss People’s Party posters:
EU relations at stake in 'Black Sheep' vote
Thursday, 11 November, 2010
Thursday, 11 November, 2010
It’s a little over two weeks before the vote on the Swiss People’s Party initiative on the automatic expulsion of foreign criminals. Supporters say it will lower crime and make Switzerland safer—but critics of the initiative say it’ll put Switzerland in a difficult position with regards to international treaties, especially the Free Movement of People accord with the European Union.
The EU commissioner in charge of justice has already voiced her concerns about the initiative. WRS’s Jordan Davis caught up with Jacques de Watteville, Switzerland’s ambassador to Brussels, who says Switzerland’s reputation takes a hit if voters approve the text:
Lakeside walkway battle goes to the ballot
Thursday, 11 November, 2010
Lake Geneva is for all to enjoy…isn’t it? Voters will decide how literally that should be taken on November 28. At stake is public access to a two kilometer stretch of the shoreline at La Tour de Peilz near Montreux, where homes of the ultra-wealthy have blocked the public pathway circling the lake. Reporter Lucas Chambers went to find out what all the fuss is about:
Thursday, 11 November, 2010
Lake Geneva is for all to enjoy…isn’t it? Voters will decide how literally that should be taken on November 28. At stake is public access to a two kilometer stretch of the shoreline at La Tour de Peilz near Montreux, where homes of the ultra-wealthy have blocked the public pathway circling the lake. Reporter Lucas Chambers went to find out what all the fuss is about:
Should shops be allowed to stay open later?
Wednesday, 10 November, 2010
Later this month Genevans will be asked if they want to extend their possible shop opening hours until 8 p.m. on weekdays and 7 p.m. on Saturdays. Proponents say it will mean more convenience for residents and will liven up the city’s streets in the evening. But unions say those who work in the shops will have to sacrifice their private lives if the law passes. WRS’s Jordan Davis reports:
Wednesday, 10 November, 2010
Later this month Genevans will be asked if they want to extend their possible shop opening hours until 8 p.m. on weekdays and 7 p.m. on Saturdays. Proponents say it will mean more convenience for residents and will liven up the city’s streets in the evening. But unions say those who work in the shops will have to sacrifice their private lives if the law passes. WRS’s Jordan Davis reports:
Pushing for the 'Black Sheep' counter proposal
Tuesday, 9 November, 2010
Alard du Bois-Reymond, head of the Federal Migration Office believes that If foreigners are more integrated they’ll commit less crime. His comments come just a few weeks before voters will have their say on the Swiss People’s Party initiative to deport foreign criminals—otherwise known as the “Black Sheep” initiative. The government and center-right parties support a so-called counter project that will appear next to it on the ballot on November 28. Du Bois-Reymond told WRS’s Jordan Davis that Switzerland’s reputation will take a beating if voters approve the Swiss People’s Party’s initiative. But he says voters would be sticking their heads in the sand if they reject the counter-initiative too:
Tuesday, 9 November, 2010
Alard du Bois-Reymond, head of the Federal Migration Office believes that If foreigners are more integrated they’ll commit less crime. His comments come just a few weeks before voters will have their say on the Swiss People’s Party initiative to deport foreign criminals—otherwise known as the “Black Sheep” initiative. The government and center-right parties support a so-called counter project that will appear next to it on the ballot on November 28. Du Bois-Reymond told WRS’s Jordan Davis that Switzerland’s reputation will take a beating if voters approve the Swiss People’s Party’s initiative. But he says voters would be sticking their heads in the sand if they reject the counter-initiative too:
'Black Sheep' campaign fires up
Tuesday, 5 October, 2010
The campaign for the Swiss People’s Party’s so-called “Black Sheep” initiative to deport foreign criminals kicks off in earnest this week. Voters will in fact have two texts to choose from: the original, or a second so-called “counter-intitiative,” which the government argues won’t conflict with Swiss or international law. WRS’s Jordan Davis gives us a refresher. And to debate the merits of these proposals, we hear from Luzi Stamm, a Swiss People’s Party MP from Aargau who is in favor or the original initiative. Christian Lüscher, a Liberal MP, backs the counter-initiative:
Tuesday, 5 October, 2010
The campaign for the Swiss People’s Party’s so-called “Black Sheep” initiative to deport foreign criminals kicks off in earnest this week. Voters will in fact have two texts to choose from: the original, or a second so-called “counter-intitiative,” which the government argues won’t conflict with Swiss or international law. WRS’s Jordan Davis gives us a refresher. And to debate the merits of these proposals, we hear from Luzi Stamm, a Swiss People’s Party MP from Aargau who is in favor or the original initiative. Christian Lüscher, a Liberal MP, backs the counter-initiative:
Animal lawyer vote met with suspicion by Valais farmers
Wednesday, 17 February, 2010
The animal lawyers initiative is one of the items on the March 7 ballot that’s gotten the most attention up to now. It would require cantons to assign a lawyer to represent the interests of animals in criminal cases. Earlier this week, we heard from the country’s only animal lawyer in Zurich. Today, we visit the largely rural canton of Valais, where animal rights are seen through a very different lens. WRS’s Jordan Davis reports:
Wednesday, 17 February, 2010
The animal lawyers initiative is one of the items on the March 7 ballot that’s gotten the most attention up to now. It would require cantons to assign a lawyer to represent the interests of animals in criminal cases. Earlier this week, we heard from the country’s only animal lawyer in Zurich. Today, we visit the largely rural canton of Valais, where animal rights are seen through a very different lens. WRS’s Jordan Davis reports:
Voters will be final jury in animal lawyer debate
Monday, 15 February, 2010
Next month voters are going to decide whether or not to require cantons to give animals a lawyer. Zurich was the first canton to create an animal defender back in 1992—and remains the only canton to have done so. In fact it’s the only such post in the world. And it could be a model for other cantons to follow if voters approve the initiative March 7. WRS’s Jordan Davis reports:
Monday, 15 February, 2010
Next month voters are going to decide whether or not to require cantons to give animals a lawyer. Zurich was the first canton to create an animal defender back in 1992—and remains the only canton to have done so. In fact it’s the only such post in the world. And it could be a model for other cantons to follow if voters approve the initiative March 7. WRS’s Jordan Davis reports:
Second pillar payouts up for a vote
Tuesday, 8 December, 2009
The vote isn’t until March 7, but competing campaigns over the “second pillar” of that Swiss pension fund you pay into every month are already heating up. The government and business groups are urging a “yes” vote to a technical change to the pension system that will mean lower payouts. And they’re trying to find any number of colorful ways to illustrate a dull—and potentially unpopular—measure. WRS’s Jordan Davis has the story from Bern:
Tuesday, 8 December, 2009
The vote isn’t until March 7, but competing campaigns over the “second pillar” of that Swiss pension fund you pay into every month are already heating up. The government and business groups are urging a “yes” vote to a technical change to the pension system that will mean lower payouts. And they’re trying to find any number of colorful ways to illustrate a dull—and potentially unpopular—measure. WRS’s Jordan Davis has the story from Bern:
Surprise 'yes' to minaret ban makes waves
Sunday, 29 November, 2009
A strong majority—57.5 percent—of voters accepted the initiative Sunday to ban the construction of new minarets, a result that has sent shockwaves across the Swiss political landscape. The government and major political parties, with the notable exception of the Swiss People’s Party, had called for voters to reject the measure. WRS’s Jordan Davis reports:
Sunday, 29 November, 2009
A strong majority—57.5 percent—of voters accepted the initiative Sunday to ban the construction of new minarets, a result that has sent shockwaves across the Swiss political landscape. The government and major political parties, with the notable exception of the Swiss People’s Party, had called for voters to reject the measure. WRS’s Jordan Davis reports:
