Ukraine
Switzerland condemns deadly Russian strike on Ukrainian buses
Switzerland has condemned a Russian strike on civilian buses near Kramatorsk that reportedly killed at least 30 people.
8 days ago · 1 source
politics
Swiss upper house backs EU package while tightening immigration rules
The Swiss Council of States has broadly backed the new bilateral package with the European Union while tightening provisions on referendums and immigration. This is a significant development in Switzerland’s relationship with the EU and merits a clear explainer on the next political steps.
Le News
European Union
Swiss Senate reshapes the EU deal before a national vote
The Council of States has broadly backed the new Switzerland-EU treaty package while seeking changes on referendums and immigration.
The Local Switzerland · +2 more
India
Switzerland seeks stronger investment protections during Parmelin’s India visit
During a state visit to India, Swiss President Guy Parmelin pressed for a bilateral investment-protection agreement and highlighted cooperation on intellectual property, migration, education and science.
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Switzerland-India
Switzerland seeks stronger investment ties with India
Swiss President Guy Parmelin’s visit to India is seeking a bilateral investment-protection agreement and deeper cooperation on migration, education and science.
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Geneva
A demonstration in Geneva drew around 1,500 people calling for Swiss sanctions and an embargo against Israel.
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Switzerland
The Swiss government is campaigning for looser arms-export rules, arguing that the change is needed to preserve defence-industrial capacity and jobs. Voters will decide on the revised War Materiel Act on November 29.
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Switzerland
The Swiss Senate has approved the Bilaterals III package by 29 votes to 15, clearing the way for detailed debate over Switzerland’s future relationship with the European Union.
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Swiss politics
Swiss voters rejected the initiative to enshrine a stricter definition of neutrality in the constitution by roughly 70%, while also rejecting a food-security proposal.
SWI swissinfo.ch · +3 more
neutrality
Swiss voters are preparing to decide whether the country’s constitutional approach to neutrality should become more restrictive. The vote has implications for sanctions, foreign policy and Switzerland’s diplomatic role, including its longstanding efforts to keep channels open in international conflicts.
The Local Switzerland · +2 more
Swiss referendum
Swiss voters are due to decide on September 27 whether the country should adopt a more restrictive interpretation of neutrality. The vote has become a major test of Switzerland’s foreign-policy identity, with opponents warning that tighter rules could limit the country’s ability to respond to international crises.
The Local Switzerland · +3 more
Swiss parliament
Switzerland’s autumn parliamentary session will address the new package of agreements with the European Union, including dynamic adoption of EU law, wage protection and immigration safeguards. Senators will also debate whether the agreements should face an optional or mandatory referendum, alongside army funding and Mercosur policy.
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Ukraine
Switzerland says it is working to revive diplomatic contacts between Russia and Ukraine and could again serve as a venue for negotiations. Foreign Minister Ignazio Cassis describes the effort as patient, confidential diplomacy after recent Swiss contacts with Kyiv and Moscow.
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Switzerland
A European Parliament committee has approved the package of new agreements between Switzerland and the EU, recommending that the full parliament endorse the treaties. The vote advances the ratification process for a deal intended to stabilise and expand bilateral relations.
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Switzerland
Switzerland has joined the European Union in banning the purchase, import and transit of Sudanese gold, targeting a trade route that the government says helps finance Sudan’s conflict. The measures also restrict related services, financing and mining chemicals.
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foreign policy
Switzerland has called for independent investigations into alleged torture, sexual violence and attacks on civilians across the Middle East, while UN investigators in Geneva have raised concerns about Syrians reportedly detained in Syria and transferred to Israel.
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foreign policy
A former senior local employee of Switzerland’s development agency in Gaza alleges that Switzerland failed him and his family after the destruction of his home and the deaths of relatives. The report merits careful, evidence-led treatment because it touches on Switzerland’s humanitarian role and duty of care toward local staff.
SWI swissinfo.ch
Switzerland
A former senior local employee of Switzerland’s development agency in Gaza alleges that his family suffered devastating losses after the October 7 attacks and that subsequent support and treatment raised serious concerns. The allegations put Switzerland’s humanitarian operations and duty of care under scrutiny.
SWI swissinfo.ch
neutrality
Switzerland’s first nationwide poll ahead of September’s neutrality vote suggests voters are likely to reject a proposal to enshrine perpetual and armed neutrality in the constitution. The result would preserve room for the government to adapt its foreign and security policy, though the campaign is still under way.
The Local Switzerland · +2 more
Iran
In response to the ongoing violent repression of protests in Iran, the Swiss State Secretariat for Migration (SEM) has frozen the expulsion of Iranian nationals, including rejected asylum-seekers, granting them provisional admission.
SWI swissinfo.ch · +1 more
