Switzerland
Swiss building workers strike in Ticino and Geneva
By Marianne Arens, 24 October 2018
The Swiss unions are organising toothless protests and limited strikes aimed at dissipating the militancy of workers.
Swiss voters reject xenophobic anti-refugee initiative
By Marianne Arens, 1 March 2016
The rejection of the initiative “to enforce the deportation of criminal foreigners” is largely due to the unusually high turnout.
Switzerland after the National Council elections
By Max Schneider, 30 October 2015
The Swiss parliamentary elections on October 18 initiated a shift to the right in government policy that will be carried out at the expense of the working population.
Anti-immigration party wins election in Switzerland
By Marianne Arens, 20 October 2015
The SVP, directed on a strict right-wing course by multibillionaire Christoph Blocher, exploited fears of job losses by victimising refugees and immigrants.
Rise in value of Swiss franc threatens workers in Eastern Europe with ruin
By Markus Salzmann, 16 February 2015
Following moves by the Swiss National Bank in January, the value of the Swiss franc has risen sharply—and with it the debt of hundreds of thousands of workers in Eastern Eruope.
Swiss referendum rejects single public health insurance fund
By Stefan Gfeller, 14 October 2014
The Swiss Social Democrats’ proposed public health insurance scheme would not have improved the present anti-social system.
Swiss referendum opposes purchase of fighter jets
By Stefan Gfeller, 23 May 2014
In the face of the campaign for war against Russia and the threat of a third world war, the referendum result is of great significance.
Swiss workers support ICFI May Day rally
By our correspondents, 3 May 2014
Switzerland, one of the richest countries in the world, has become extremely polarized.
Initiative to restrict immigration passed in Swiss referendum vote
By Marianne Arens, 11 February 2014
The initiative commits the government to renegotiate the agreement on freedom of movement with the EU within three years.
Referendum in Switzerland to place upper limit on salaries
By Max Schneider, 11 November 2013
On November 24, Switzerland will hold a referendum on whether the wage gap between lowest and highest earners at a company should be limited to a ratio of 1 to 12.
Swiss tax deal with the US voted down
By Marianne Arens, 28 June 2013
Relations between Switzerland and the United States are worse than ever before due to the tax dispute between the US Justice Department and Swiss banks.
Swiss referendum on asylum law
By Marianne Arens, 11 June 2013
A referendum was held Sunday on proposals to strengthen the law against asylum seekers.
15 years of the WSWS: Public meeting in Zurich
18 May 2013
The World Socialist Web Site is pleased to announce its first public meeting in Switzerland will be held June 1.
Swiss referendum against “rip-offs”
By Max Schneider and Ernst Wolff, 2 March 2013
The “rip-off” initiative is exclusively geared towards the rights of shareholders, i.e., strengthening the control exercised by the owners of capital over the boardroom.
Swiss trade unions play key role in facilitating closure of Merck Serono plant
By Marianne Arens, 18 August 2012
UNIA, the largest Swiss union, has played an indispensable role in helping the company close the Merck Serono plant in Geneva.
Merck Serono closes its factory in Geneva
By Max Schneider and Marianne Arens, 20 July 2012
On April 24, pharmaceutical company Merck Serono announced the closure of its factory in Geneva, affecting 1,250 jobs.
New Swiss government installed
By Max Schneider and Marianne Arens, 29 December 2011
The new Swiss government is the result of manoeuvres between the mainstream parties, its composition having practically nothing to do with ordinary voters.
Swiss banker jailed for supplying information to WikiLeaks
By Patrick Martin, 21 January 2011
Rudolf Elmer provided data on tax evasion by thousands of wealthy individuals and corporations.
Switzerland approves reactionary “Deportation Initiative”
By Marianne Arens, 30 November 2010
Just one year after a referendum banning the construction of minarets, another referendum in Switzerland has sharply tightened the country’s immigration law.
Government resignation deepens crisis of Swiss democracy
By Marianne Arens and Leandro Poroli, 22 July 2010
The resignation of Moritz Leuenberger of the Socialist Party (SP) from the government signifies a major political upheaval in Switzerland.
Switzerland bans minarets
By Marianne Arens, 3 December 2009
Switzerland has banned the building of minarets in accordance with the result of a referendum held on November 29. The decision is a new high point in the European-wide campaign to stir up prejudices against Muslims and divide the working class.
Held in Swiss jail for two months
Film director Roman Polanski to be freed on bail
By David Walsh, 28 November 2009
The Swiss justice ministry announced Thursday that it would not appeal a court ruling handed down the day before permitting filmmaker Roman Polanski’s release on bail, opening the way for the director to be freed within the next several days.
US formally requests extradition of filmmaker Roman Polanski
By Hiram Lee, 27 October 2009
The United States has formally requested that filmmaker Roman Polanski be extradited from Switzerland. New details of the Swiss government’s role in Polanski’s arrest have now come to light.
Roman Polanski refused bail by Swiss court
By Hiram Lee, 21 October 2009
The Federal Criminal Court of Switzerland has refused to release filmmaker Roman Polanski on bail.
Roman Polanski denied bail in Switzerland
By Hiram Lee, 7 October 2009
The Swiss Justice Ministry has denied Roman Polanski's request for release from prison while awaiting extradition. The media frenzy surrounding the case continues.
Director Roman Polanski faces months in Swiss prison
By Hiram Lee, 30 September 2009
Film director Roman Polanski could spend months in a Swiss prison following his September 26 arrest in Zürich. Protests against the detention of the renowned filmmaker continue to mount.
International protests against arrest of film director Roman Polanski
By Barry Grey, 28 September 2009
Expressions of shock and anger are mounting internationally over the arrest Saturday night of Oscar-winning film director Roman Polanski.
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