Author: switzerlandtimes.ch

Every year, Switzerland tests its apocalyptic-sounding sirens on the first Wednesday of February. On 5 February 2025, over 5,000 sirens sounded throughout Switzerland during the siren test. 99% of the sirens tested worked perfectly, reported the authorities. As part of the test more than 12 million push notifications were sent from the Alertswiss app during the course of the day. Several cantons also tested their mobile sirens. Sirens were installed across the country starting in 1936 and testing was introduced in 1970, before becoming compulsory in 1988. Switzerland has roughly 5,000 fixed sirens and 2,200 mobile ones. 600 of which…

On 20 December 2024, EU Commission President Ursula von der Leyen visited Bern to conclude the long negotiations between Switzerland and the EU on their future relationship. The terms agreed between Brussels and Bern now need to be formalised in legal form. However, it is likely that those against the relationship or the form of it will oppose it. A key question is whether the treaties agreed with the EU will by subject to a mandatory or an optional referendum. This week, a parliamentary committee concluded that a mandatory referendum is not required, reported SRF. A mandatory referendum must achieve…

The results of a survey published on 31 October 2024 show widespread discrimination and abuse in Switzerland’s military. The survey was aimed at gauging the level of discrimination and abuse within the Swiss military and focused in particular on discrimination and abuse against women. Unlike men, women in Switzerland are not forced to do military service, however some volunteer. The survey was given to all 2,085 female military personnel and to the same number of male recruits. 1,126 people completed the survey. Discrimination and sexualised verbal, nonverbal and physical violence based on gender and/or sexual orientation are prevalent in the…

Switzerland’s consumer price index (CPI) fell by 0.1% in January 2025. Across 12 months inflation was +0.4%, reported the Federal Statistical Office (FSO). Annual inflation at the end of January 2025 is the lowest it has been since April 2021 when it was +0.3%. While many nations, such as the UK and the US, are struggling to rein in inflation, Switzerland is going against the grain. In the US annual inflation rose to 3% at the end of January 2025 and in the UK it reached 3.9%, the highest it has been in 10 months. Even in Japan, where inflation…

A recently published report shows that only a tiny percentage of rascist incidents affecting Muslims in Switzerland are reported. Around a third (35%) of Switzerland’s 450,000 Muslims report being victims of racism. However, only around 60 people a year report such incidents to Switzerland’s official racism reporting centres. Marianne Helfer, head of the Federal Office for Combating Racism, the organisation responsible for the report, said hostile attitudes towards Muslims are relatively high in Switzerland compared to those against other minorities. According to another survey by the Federal Statistical Office (FSO), hostility towards muslims is the most widespread form of hostility…

In November 2024, 52.7% of voters rejected a federal government plan to expand key sections of Switzerland’s motorway network. Environmental issues associated with road traffic and the cost (CHF 5.3 billion) were common reasons given by those rejecting the proposal. This has left the government with no path to solve the country’s infrastructure bottlenecks. This week it announced a proposal to combine investment in roads with investment in rail infrastructure, which is also overloaded, reported RTS. In addition, Transport Minister Albert Rösti said he will get ETH Zurich to advise on the proposal in the hope that external expert advice…

According to a study by Swissmedic, there are deficiencies in the disinfection, sterilisation, packaging and storage of medical products in Swiss hospitals. The recently published report based on a study done in 2023 by Swissmedic shows that almost all of the 25 Swiss hospitals inspected have deficiencies in the disinfection, sterilisation, packaging and storage of medical products. In addition, the problem is becoming worse. An earlier study done in 2021 and 2022 found fewer deficiencies. According to Swissmedic there is a lack of awareness of hygiene protocols. 91% of all inspections showed deficiencies, according to the study. The same figure…

The new Federal Council jet does not fit into the existing federal hangar at Bern-Belp airport near Bern because the plane is too big, reported RTS. The Bombardier Global 7500 does not fit into the existing building in Bern-Belp due to its size and will probably be housed at the Payerne military airbase in Vaud for the next two years while a new hangar is created. The government said that due to the requirements of the new state aircraft, it was clear from the outset that work would be required in Bern-Belp to house it. This new hangar is intended…

In Switzerland, there is resistance to EU deals on both the left and right. On the right concern tends to be focused on loss of self determination, cultural erosion and overcrowding. On the left, key sticking points are loss of trade protection and wage dumping. This week, progress was made on wage protection, reported RTS. The Swiss People’s Party (UDC/SVP), the main party on the right, and Switzerland’s largest party, has made it clear that it is strongly opposed to any deal with the EU. This means any majority will need to include support from the left in addition to…

An OECD study published this week shows the level of literacy, numeracy and problem solving among the adult population across 31 OECD nations. Switzerland, scores above average on all three measures with significant differences across gender and educational backgrounds. These adult aptitude tests run by the OECD are known colloquially as adult PISA scores. In Switzerland, adults aged 16-65 scored, on average, 266 points in literacy (OECD average 260), 276 points in numeracy (OECD average 263), and 257 points in adaptive problem solving (OECD average 251). Switzerland was ranked 7th, 6th and 8th respectively across these three measures. Finland, Japan, Sweden, Norway and Netherlands…