Lake Wohlensee, the Niederried-Oltigenmatt Reserve and the European Court of Human Rights

10 May 2024

Many of Switzerland’s 1,500 lakes are reservoirs. The country pioneered eco-friendly electricity, or ‘white energy,‘ in the nineteenth century. Even trains have been running on this energy since the 1920s. Switzerland is also a forerunner in a city heating system. In the 1950s, for example, this facility could already supply 40,000 homes and businesses in … Read more » “Lake Wohlensee, the Niederried-Oltigenmatt Reserve and the European Court of Human Rights”

What do foreigners know about Switzerland?

14 February 2024

In the last edition of the Neue Zürcher Zeitung am Sonntag of 2023, the Financial Times correspondent asked, ‘Ist die Schweiz sympathisch?’ (Is Switzerland sympathetic?) He then lists several examples of Switzerland’s image abroad: prosperous by Jewish assets and looted goods, neutrality and profiting from World War II (1939-1945), the banking secret and dirty and criminal money, … Read more » “What do foreigners know about Switzerland?”

Europe’s oldest democracy has a new government

13 December 2023

On 13 December, Europe’s oldest democracy with universal suffrage (for men) elected the world’s most stable and oldest government with seven ministers (Bundesrat or Bundesratin). The appointment procedure for these seven ministers is also exceptional. The powers, the number (seven) of ministers, the term of office of the national government, the Federal Council (Bundesrat/Conseil fédéral), … Read more » “Europe’s oldest democracy has a new government”

Gotthard Base Tunnel

25 October 2023

Since 1990, Switzerland has made efforts to ensure the development of the European transport system and the integration of the European high-speed rail network by building the Gotthard Base Tunnel (Gotthardbasistunnel). The Gotthard tunnel is a crucial construction project on the European corridor connecting Rotterdam, Milan, and Genoa. The new freight line from Rotterdam to … Read more » “Gotthard Base Tunnel”

The Swiss Political System

16 October 2023

Switzerland’s political system is still regarded as a unique case among modern democracies. Its origins lie in multiple languages, sovereign cantons, social structures and historical development. Switzerland held national parliamentary elections on 22 October. This contribution does not discuss the outcome of these elections. It focuses on the system’s functioning, addressing specific topics. The political … Read more » “The Swiss Political System”

The Confoederatio Helvetica

12 September 2023

The abbreviation CH is derived from the official Latin name “Confoederatio Helvetica”. Curia Confoederatis Helveticae (CH) appears on the facade of the Federal Palace in Bern. Switzerland is the only European country with a Latin abbreviation that has no linguistic relation to its current name, ‘Switzerland’ (Die Schweiz/la Suisse). Helvetica refers to the Celtic tribe … Read more » “The Confoederatio Helvetica”

Switzerland, A European Microcosmos ?

5 July 2023

Switzerland is the outcome of centuries of cooperation, alliances, exchanges and contacts between the cantons. After the Congress of Vienna (1814-1815), it seemed impossible to unite these sovereign republics and their different languages, religions, cultures and (economic) interests in a federation with a national currency, government, parliament, army or even a flag or a national … Read more » “Switzerland, A European Microcosmos ?”

The House of the Cantons

26 May 2023

The opening of the House of Cantons (Haus der Kantone, Maison des cantons) in 2008 was a milestone in the cooperation between the 26 cantons. As a joint umbrella organisation of 13 governmental and 16 associated cantonal organisations, it functions as a centre for knowledge, discussion, and consultation. The House of Cantons concentrates knowledge and … Read more » “The House of the Cantons”

The Swiss Militia System

5 April 2023

One of the essential characteristics of Swiss democracy is its militia system ( Milizsystem,  système de milice). It means that the citizens make, form and supervise the state at all levels, the res publica. History The system is a centuries-old concept, rooted in the “Landsgemeinde” (the cantonal assembly) of the so-called Urschweiz, specifically the cantons in central Switzerland. Switzerland … Read more » “The Swiss Militia System”

The founder of direct democracy

23 March 2023

On March 6, 1866, Ignaz Paul Vital Troxler, one of the founders of modern Switzerland, passed away. He was born in Beromünster in 1780. At the age of nineteen, he left his post in the Napoleonic administration of the Helvetic Republic (1798-1803) to study in Jena. He was successful in ophthalmology in Göttingen. However, his … Read more » “The founder of direct democracy”