Author: switzerlandtimes.ch

This week, the Federal Council said it favours putting its new package of agreements with the European Union to an optional referendum, requiring only a simple majority of voters—not the double majority of both voters and cantons required in a mandatory referendum, reported RTS. The decision, announced by the Federal Council on Wednesday, now passes to Parliament for final approval. Foreign minister Ignazio Cassis acknowledged that tactical considerations played a role in the cabinet’s discussions. The EU deal, he noted, might struggle to clear the hurdle of a double majority. Cassis argued that the approach ensures continuity in Swiss-EU policy.…

This week, Switzerland’s highest court has ruled that plant-based meat alternatives may no longer carry names that directly refer to animals, such as “vegan pork” or “plant-based chicken”, reported RTS. The Federal Court sided with the federal government in its appeal against a Zurich-based producer, Planted Foods, requiring it to rename several of its products. Terms describing preparation methods—such as “steak”, “sausage”, or “minced”—remain permitted. Thus, “soy sausage”, “cereal slices”, or “lentil steak” remain acceptable. The ruling overturns a previous decision by Zurich’s Administrative Court, which had rejected the cantonal food lab’s concerns and allowed the use of animal-related names.…

Switzerland recorded 1,211 cases of racial discrimination in 2024, an increase of 335 compared with the previous year, according to a report published by the country’s network of anti-racism centres. The 40% annual rise is the steepest in recent years. Most incidents occurred in schools and the number of reported cases has been climbing steadily for several years. In a joint statement, the Federal Commission against Racism (CFR) and the NGO humanrights.ch described the increase as particularly significant. Several factors are thought to be driving the trend: geopolitical tensions and increasingly polarised public discourse have likely fuelled hostility, said the…

Cargo Sous Terrain (CST), Switzerland’s long-planned underground freight network, has been in the making for more than a decade. The concept is simple: instead of clogging up roads, goods would be transported via automated wagons moving through subterranean tunnels, loaded and unloaded at designated hubs. Yet enthusiasm for the project has cooled. Last year, municipalities and cantonal governments voiced scepticism, describing CST variously as unachievable, challenging or not feasible. Soon after, CST announced delays and job cuts. The original plan had envisioned self-driving electric vehicles travelling on underground roads, charging inductively as they moved. That has been abandoned in favour…

The Grand-Saint-Bernard route (A21) will remain closed until further notice, Swiss authorities have confirmed, citing an elevated risk of rockfall following an avalanche on 17 April 2025. The avalanche damaged the Toules gallery, a key protective structure on the A21. Although repairs to the gallery are due to be completed today, the Federal Roads Office (FEDRO) has begun clearing unstable rock faces above the avalanche zone—a process expected to take several days. As a result, the road remains closed to through traffic on safety grounds. The forest and existing rockfall defences were severely affected by the avalanche, heightening the risk…

Across Switzerland, authorities are grappling with a sharp rise in forged identity documents and residence permit fraud. Investigators in Neuchâtel have uncovered a criminal network with roots in Turkey, allegedly responsible for distributing counterfeit European passports and IDs to individuals who use them to apply for residence permits to work illegally in local restaurants. So far, 50 people have been detained, reported SRF. The problem is not confined to Neuchâtel. Alexander Ott of the Bernese immigration police told SRF of a case of two Vietnamese women working in a nail salon using fake Belgian passports. He estimates, that up to…

Klaus Schwab, 87, the founder and long-time figurehead of the World Economic Forum (WEF), has resigned as chairman, marking the end of an era for the organization he created in 1971. His departure was announced on 20 April 2025, following an extraordinary board meeting, according to a WEF official statement. Interim CEO Peter Brabeck-Letmathe, a former Nestlé CEO was unanimously appointed to lead the WEF while a search for a permanent successor begins. Schwab had previously stepped down as CEO in 2024, intending to remain as chairman. However, his final exit comes amid serious allegations. Anonymous whistle blowers have accused…

The European Commission is reportedly tightening internal security guidance for staff travelling to the United States, placing the country on a par with China, Iran, and other sensitive destinations in terms of data protection, reported SRF. The aim of the EU move is to guard against potential espionage, a reflection of growing mistrust between Washington and Europe. Switzerland, by contrast, is maintaining its current protocols. According to the Financial Times, EU officials are increasingly using disposable burner phones—fresh devices without sensitive information—when visiting the US. Although the Commission denies issuing any such instructions in writing, multiple diplomats say new practices…

From 20 April 2025, Switzerland will be living on energy credit. Domestic resources will have been exhausted for the year, according to the Swiss Energy Foundation (SEF), which marked April 19th as the country’s “energy overshoot day”. After that point, the country relies entirely on imported energy—primarily fossil fuels and nuclear materials—to meet its needs. Switzerland imports 70% of its energy, spending nearly CHF 8 billion a year on net energy imports. In 2023, over 87% of these imports came from EU member states, though the SEF cautions that most of these countries act merely as transit hubs, not producers.…

Switzerland recorded 10 avalanche-related deaths during the 2024–25 winter season, according to the Institute for Snow and Avalanche Research (SLF) in Davos—well below the 20-year average of 19 fatalities. The season was also marked by unusually mild temperatures and a lack of snow, especially in eastern parts of the Alps. Between 1 October 2024 and 14 April 2025, a total of 216 people were affected by avalanches, slightly above the long-term average of 205. The SLF registered 172 avalanches involving damage to people or property, of which 156 were triggered by individuals. Only 21 avalanches caused material damage, compared with…