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Swiss Politics

June 9 votes: Swiss healthcare initiatives are losing support

Initiatives to rein in healthcare costs have lost ground during the campaign, according to the second SBC poll.

By Katy Romy

Swiss Politics

Is there an answer to Switzerland’s spiralling healthcare cost misery?

By Matthew Allen

Swiss Politics

June 9 votes in Switzerland: how can healthcare costs be reined in?

By Katy Romy

Swiss Politics

Swiss federal votes on June 9: what’s on the agenda?

By Katy Romy

In South Africa, right-wing white populists do politics but not the elections

Afrikaaners sing songs in 2014 to commemorate a Boer war battle near Dundee, South Africa.

This content was published on May 28, 2024 South Africa votes in a national election on May 29 in what is widely expected to be a landmark moment for the country’s post-apartheid democracy.

The dangers of a pick and mix approach to international law

This content was published on May 28, 2024 International is increasingly being flouted. We look at the main treaties and why they are still important.

Students attend a science class in cram school in Taipei.

Learning democracy through games in Taiwanese schools

This content was published on May 27, 2024 Taiwan’s secondary schools come top of global rankings in civic education, leaving Swiss schools in the dust. What makes Taiwan different?

Switzerland Today

This content was published on May 28, 2024 Tuesday briefing: Bumper tourism season, parliament gets tough on spies, and cryptocurrency returns.

Winners and losers: sports betting in Switzerland

This content was published on May 27, 2024 With Euro 2024 and the Olympic Games just weeks away, bookmakers and punters are looking forward to a summer of betting on sports. But how easy is it to have a flutter in Switzerland?

Claudia Sheinbaum (centre in white), candidate for the presidency of Mexico, participates in a campaign event in Mexico City, Mexico, on May 20, 2024.

In Mexico, Claudia Sheinbaum would govern ‘without verbal violence’

This content was published on May 27, 2024 Latin America expert Yanina Welp explains what is likely to change if Mexico elects its first female president.

Social security takes centre stage in Swiss parliamentary debates

This content was published on May 27, 2024 Swiss parliamentarians are meeting for the summer session. On the agenda are a number of issues of direct concern to the Swiss Abroad.

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SWI swissinfo.ch offers a selection of Swiss films in English chosen from the Swiss streaming platform Play Suisse.

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Check out our long format stories on topics like the Swiss pharma industry, Switzerland’s struggles with dirty gold, and living in the Alps.

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Explainer: Switzerland and the recognition of Palestine

This content was published on May 24, 2024 On Wednesday Ireland, Spain and Norway said they would recognise a Palestinian state. What are the chances of Switzerland following suit?

Pro-Palestine uni protests to be debated in Swiss parliament

This content was published on May 20, 2024 The Swiss People’s Party says it will launch two postulates calling for clarifications about the recent student protests and occupations.

A group of students seated on the floor inside a university hall. In the middle of the group is a sign reading "UZH students against genocide".

Swiss student group condemns campus occupations

This content was published on May 17, 2024 Some aspects of pro-Palestine sit-ins have gone too far, but the right to protest and debate must be upheld, the student association has said.

Swiss police remove protestors from University of Bern.

Swiss police clear pro-Palestinian students protesting in Bern

This content was published on May 15, 2024 Police moved in early on Wednesday to remove some 30 pro-Palestinian student protesters from a Bern university building.

Red Cross sets up Rafah emergency field hospital

This content was published on May 14, 2024 The Geneva-based International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) and partners are opening a field hospital in southern Gaza on Tuesday.

Police clear out pro-Palestinian students protesting in Geneva

This content was published on May 14, 2024 The police intervened early on Tuesday to dislodge pro-Palestinian students who had been occupying the University of Geneva for almost a week.

Students hang up large signs and sit on the floor in a university building in Fribourg

Pro-Palestine protests extend to Basel and Fribourg universities

This content was published on May 13, 2024 Demonstrators called for an academic boycott of all Israeli institutions and disassociation with Chaim Weizmann, the first Israeli president.

About 60 people crowd into the entrance of a university building. One is waving a Palestinian flag.

Swiss pro-Palestine protest reaches University of Bern

This content was published on May 13, 2024 Another Swiss university joins sit-ins to protest the worsening situation in the Middle East.

Switzerland abstains from vote on Palestinian bid for full UN membership

This content was published on May 11, 2024 On Friday, Switzerland abstained from the vote at the General Assembly on granting the Palestinians new rights at the United Nations (UN).

Student protesters at a sit-in at University of Lausanne

Lausanne students end night-time Gaza protest

This content was published on May 9, 2024 The night-time occupation of a building at the University of Lausanne that began on May 2 ended on Wednesday evening.

Police officers supervise Pro-Palestinian demonstrators during protest in the entrance hall of the main building of the ETH Zurich on Tuesday, May 7, 2024 in Zurich, Switzerland. (

Swiss Jewish group concerned about university protests

This content was published on May 8, 2024 The Swiss Federation of Jewish Communities worries that protests are taking on ideological and radicalised features.

Swiss government proposes CHF10 million UNRWA donation

This content was published on May 8, 2024 After months of debate, Switzerland plans to give CHF10 million ($11 million) to the UN agency this year, rather than the CHF20 million initially foreseen.

A blowing flag with the emblem of the Red Cross on top of the headquarters of the International Committee of the Red Cross ICRC in Geneva, Switzerland

Red Cross: 22 staff killed in Middle East since October

This content was published on May 8, 2024 The Red Cross and Red Crescent network in Gaza and Israel has lost 22 staff members since last October, the Swiss Red Cross (SRC) said on Wednesday.

The hall of EPFL’s architecture building in Lausanne is currently occupied by around 50 Pro-Palestinian protesters.

University students in Switzerland join Gaza protest wave

This content was published on May 7, 2024 Pro-Palestinian activists occupied university buildings in Lausanne, Geneva and Zurich on Tuesday, widening the protest movement in the Alpine nation.

Pro-Palestinie sit-in at University of Lausanne.

University of Lausanne calls for end to pro-Palestine sit-in

This content was published on May 7, 2024 The pro-Palestinian occupation continues at the University of Lausanne (UNIL). On Monday evening, a group of students refused to agree to the deadline set by the rectorate.

Should politics be kept out of sporting and cultural events?

Cultural and sporting events are being increasingly politicised. Is this a problem?

Join the discussion

May 28, 2024

1 Comments

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What is at stake in the two initiatives on healthcare costs?

This content was published on May 22, 2024 Rising healthcare costs are the main concern of Swiss voters going to the ballot boxes on June 9.

The small robot aiming to explore volcanic tunnels on the moon

This content was published on May 7, 2024 In the not-too-distant future, a hopping Swiss-developed robot could be bound for the moon to pave the way for future missions.

How drug prices are negotiated in Switzerland and beyond

This content was published on Apr 23, 2024 Switzerland’s pharmaceutical sector supplies drugs worldwide, but not all countries receive them with the same price tag. Here’s why.

woman in black shirt pointing at camera with blue background and emojis

How you view the problem of low birth rates in Switzerland

This content was published on Apr 22, 2024 Why do you think the Swiss birthrate has fallen so low. What impact will this have?

Guerreiro do Divino Amor poses in front of the "Fountain of Helvetia", part of the installation at the Swiss Pavilion in Venice.

An Alpine carnival: Switzerland stars as a superfiction at the Venice Biennale

This content was published on Apr 20, 2024 The Swiss-Brazilian artist Guerreiro do Divino Amor will represent Switzerland for the 60th edition of the Venice Art Biennale.

Switzerland’s long-standing love of cartography

This content was published on Apr 17, 2024 Long world-renowned, Swiss maps have in recent years managed to reach a wider public.

Moon robots learn to walk – in Zurich

This content was published on Apr 13, 2024 Scientists in Switzerland are developing robots that will one day explore the Moon or Mars.

a customs officer looking through luggage

Drug-busting with customs officers at Zurich airport

This content was published on Apr 12, 2024 Watch: Gino the sniffer dog helps in the search for cocaine smuggled into Switzerland via Zurich airport.

Flexible retirement could help plug labour gaps in Switzerland

This content was published on Apr 3, 2024 At a stretch, people of retirement age could be persuaded to stay at work longer.

Former CERN director Herwig Schopper – a centenarian on the impact of physics

This content was published on Mar 22, 2024 The German physicist and former director of CERN looks back at some of the highlights and encounters of his career.

Tandem jumps are even more dangerous than BASE jumping.

Should tandem BASE jumping be banned in the Swiss Alps?

This content was published on Mar 19, 2024 A new type of extreme sport is making people see red in the Alpine town of Lauterbrunnen: tandem BASE jumping.

How we work: comment moderation

This content was published on Mar 13, 2024 Are comments on SWI swissinfo.ch censored? How do we moderate your contributions? In this video we make our moderation transparent.

‘Yes’ to more state pension in Switzerland

This content was published on Mar 3, 2024 Watch the reaction to Sunday’s vote on raising Swiss state pensions.

A man looking at a vegan cheese wheel on a table.

Redefining what Swiss cheese can be

This content was published on Feb 29, 2024 New Roots has managed to grow from a market stall to a 4,000m2 factory in a span of eight years.

How we work: sources

This content was published on Feb 28, 2024 How does SWI swissinfo.ch track down and vet sources? Find out in the latest installment of our “how we work” series.

Read more: How we work: sources

External Content

Each day, SWI swissinfo.ch selects and presents content from our European public service media partners as part of a project of the European Broadcasting Union (EBU).

Reuters International

This content was published on May 29, 2024 – 08:49

UK’s Pets At Home posts lower annual profit on weak accessories demand

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Royal Mail owner agrees to 3.6 billion pound takeover by Czech billionaire Kretinsky

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South Africans vote in most competitive election since end of apartheid

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South Africans start voting in election that could see ANC lose majority

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World’s largest humanitarian network calls for Gaza ceasefire

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Europe’s business chiefs see EU-China relations worsening

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Analysis-Once ostracised, Italy’s Meloni is now centre stage in Europe

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Growing armada shipping sanctioned oil burns dirty fuel in a setback for clean-up efforts

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‘A mountain fell on them’ says rescue worker at PNG landslide site

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Taiwan says China drills more about intimidation, propaganda than starting war

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Israel denies strike on camp near Rafah that Gaza officials say killed 21 people

This content was published on May 29, 2024 – 03:08

US says latest Rafah deaths won’t change Israel policy, military aid

This content was published on May 29, 2024 – 02:06

Georgian parliament votes to override presidential veto of ‘foreign agent’ bill

Bloomberg Business

This content was published on May 29, 2024 – 08:02

Stocks Drop as Bond Selloff Deepens, Dollar Gains: Markets Wrap

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Swiss Support for Plan to Curb Health Costs Is Waning, Poll Says

This content was published on May 28, 2024 – 22:25

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J&J Acquires Experimental Eczema Drug in $1.25 Billion Cash Deal

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UBS Signals It’s Mostly Done Cutting Asia Jobs After Merger

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Fed’s Favorite Underlying Inflation Gauge Is Seen Cooling

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Julius Baer Said to Weigh Potential Deal for Swiss Rival EFG

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KPMG Partners Agree to Merge UK and Swiss Operations

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Adnoc, Aramco Said to Mull Bids for Shell South Africa Assets

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SNB Doesn’t Have to Follow Peers on Transparency, Jordan Says

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A New Trade War Offers No Easy Way Back for Old Global Order

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Glencore Keeps Russian Aluminum Contract But Metal Flows Dry Up

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Copper Frenzy Draws Mining Giants to Argentina After Milei’s Reforms

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Morgan Stanley Was ‘Angry’ as Archegos Fell, Witness Says

Sergio Ermotti returned to UBS as chief executive just over a year ago within days of the bank rescuing its arch-rival Credit Suisse, in a shotgun marriage arranged by the Swiss authorities.

UBS rules out external successor to chief Sergio Ermotti

This content was published on May 27, 2024 Swiss bank plans to lay out a shortlist of three potential internal candidates as early as next year.

illustration of the alpine country; Switzerland, money, graphic, details, WHO and a figure looking out with binoculars.

Unchecked empires: who watches Geneva’s million-franc foundations?

This content was published on May 24, 2024 Wealthy donors come from around the world to create their non-profit foundations in Geneva. Where does the money come from? (Part 2).

Technology for slashing nuclear power plant waste wins Swiss backing

This content was published on May 26, 2024 Swiss invention could drastically reduce the radioactive levels of nuclear power plant waste.

in 2022, the Colombian government and the ELN announced the resumption of their peace talks. The process is proving difficult.

‘Comprehensive peace’ in Colombia won’t happen soon, says Swiss envoy

This content was published on May 26, 2024 When guerrilla groups hold talks with the Colombian government, Swiss envoy Philipp Lustenberger has a seat at the table.

Why watch sharing doesn’t work – even in Switzerland

This content was published on May 25, 2024 Is watch sharing a feasible business model, or is it fundamentally flawed?

The UN Security Council is failing – this is why

This content was published on May 24, 2024 Switzerland currently sits on the UN Security Council, which is repeatedly paralysed. Small countries want to reform it.

Golden passport? Certain groups struggle to become Swiss, study shows

This content was published on May 23, 2024 Well-educated and well-off immigrants are pulling ahead when it comes to getting the passport, a new study shows.

From the cute to the horrific: Switzerland’s weirdest museums

This content was published on May 22, 2024 Switzerland has some of the biggest and best museums in the world, but it is also home to some really bizarre and niche ones.

Swiss distiller creates world’s best vodka in Cape Verde

This content was published on May 20, 2024 From Appenzell to an island in the Atlantic: how José Steiner shifted careers to become an award-winning vodka distiller.

Lauterbrunnen is one of Switzerland’s most iconic destinations with its breathtaking scenery, sites like the Staubbach Falls and Alpine charm. But the small mountain village continues to attract a growing number of tourists.

Swiss village of Lauterbrunnen mulls Venice-style tourist entry charge

This content was published on May 16, 2024 Lauterbrunnen, with its Instagram-friendly Alpine waterfalls and cliffs, is a victim of overtourism. It is now considering whether to follow Venice and start charging day-trippers for access.

One of Hodler's more iconic works: Der Tag (The Day), 1904/1906

Swiss artists remix Ferdinand Hodler for the 21st century

This content was published on May 15, 2024 Zurich’s Kunsthaus highlights Ferdinand Hodler’s more progressive stances through the eyes, and works, of contemporary artists.

Is Geneva still the capital of peace?

This content was published on May 13, 2024 As multilateral diplomacy and Swiss neutrality come under pressure, Geneva’s reputation as a place of peace is also at risk.

Ten Swiss traditions on UNESCO’s Intangible Cultural Heritage list

This content was published on May 6, 2024 Yodelling might be the next Swiss tradition to make it onto the UNESCO Cultural Heritage list along side a ‘once in a generation’ festival and watchmaking.

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