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TODAY IN SWITZERLAND

Today in Switzerland: A roundup of the latest news on Thursday

Further flights from Switzerland to the Middle East are suspended; some medications bought abroad could be paid by Swiss health insurance; and more news in our roundup on Thursday.

Published: 18 April 2024 09:03 CEST
Today in Switzerland: A roundup of the latest news on Thursday
Grounded: the two airlines have bowed out of flying to some Middle-East destinations. Photo by Fabrice COFFRINI / AFP

Update: The latest on flights from Switzerland to the Middle East

Continuing political uncertainty in the region prompted cancellations of some flights from Switzerland to conflict-ridden areas in the Middle East.

Last week, SWISS airline announced that due to growing tensions and insecurity in the region, the airline would not cross the airspace over Iran, suspending the flights to Tehran and Beirut until at least April 18th.

On Wednesday, however, the airline said these flights “will remain cancelled up to, and including, April 30th, 2024.

However, SWISS has resumed its flights to Tel-Aviv on Tuesday.
 
EasyJet meanwhile announced that all its flights to the Israeli city, initially cancelled until April 21st, will remain suspended until the end of October.
 
The budget airline usually operates flights to Tel-Aviv from Geneva and Basel. 

Medicatons purchased abroad could be refunded in Switzerland

The National Council approved a motion on Wednesday, asking that generic medicines purchased in neighboring countries be reimbursed by the basic health insurance in Switzerland. 
 
The parliament reacted favourably to this motion because the same generic drugs cost less — sometimes by much — in other European countries, so in the end, this move would save health insurance carriers a considerable amount of money.

The National Council will weigh in on this issue next.

Swiss MPs move to ban Nazi symbols

The National Council accepted on Wednesday a proposal from the Legal Affairs Committee of the Council of States, aimed at prohibiting the use, wearing, and public distribution of propaganda objects and racist symbols advocating violence — whether it be gestures, words, salutes or flags.

“Those who tolerate extremist symbols or gestures also tolerate racism and hatred. We must apply zero tolerance,” said deputy Philipp Matthias Bregy.

Another MP, Philippe Nantermod, stressed that the move doesn’t mean restricting freedom of expression, but, rather, protecting citizens who are potential victims of these threats.

READ ALSO : Swiss parliament wants ban on extremist symbols

The campaign for lower health insurance premiums is launched

The campaign for a law capping the cost of health insurance at 10 percent of disposable income was launched on Wednesday in Bern.

The so-called “premium relief” initiative will be voted on in a national referendum on June 9th.  

“Today, premiums have become too expensive for the middle class,” according to the Social Democratic Party, which spearheaded the move. 

The government, however, urges the ‘no’ vote, having drawn up its own proposal, which calls for cantons to automatically increase financial assistance to those who need it when the cost of health insurance rises.

If you have any questions about life in Switzerland, ideas for articles or news tips for The Local, please get in touch with us at [email protected]
  

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TODAY IN SWITZERLAND

Today in Switzerland: A roundup of the latest news on Friday

Prices and inflation went up in April; SWISS airline launches two long-haul flights; and more news in our roundup on Friday.

Published: 3 May 2024 08:23 CEST
Today in Switzerland: A roundup of the latest news on Friday

Prices in Switzerland slightly up in April

Though still lower than elsewhere in Europe, Switzerland’s inflation rate was 1.4 percent higher in April than at the same time last year.

This is what emerges from the data published by the Federal Statistical Office (FSO) on Thursday.
 
Consumer price index, meanwhile, went up by 0.3 percent in April, with domestic products experiencing less of a price increase (0.1 percent)  than imported ones (1.1 percent).

The 0.3-percent hike, according to FSO,  “is due to several factors, including rising prices of international holiday packages, air transport, and petrol.

SWISS airline launches new long-haul destinations

On May 7th, Switzerland’s national airline will inaugurate its first ever direct service between Zurich and South Korean capital, Seoul.

The thrice-weekly flight leaves Zurich at 13:40 on Tuesdays, Fridays and Sundays, landing in Seoul at 08:25 the following day.  The westbound LX123 service will depart from Seoul on Mondays, Wednesdays, and Saturdays at 09:55, arriving in Zurich at 16:50.

And on May 10th, the airline will start flying to the Canadian city of Toronto.

These flights will leave Zurich at 09:55 and arrive in Toronto at 13:00.The return flight will leave Toronto at 16:35 and arrive in Zurich at 06:30 the next morning.
 
READ ALSO: The new flight routes to and from Switzerland in 2024 

Road congestion to be expected in Switzerland during Ascension and Pentecost weekends

As before and after all public holidays or holiday weekends, “the risk of traffic jams will be particularly high during the long weekends of Ascension (May 9th), and Pentecost (May 18th to 20th), the Federal Roads Office warned on Thursday. 

The heavier-than-usual traffic is expected on the A2 and A13 motorways, especially on the approach to the Gotthard and San Bernardino tunnels.

The Great St. Bernard Tunnel, the Simplon Pass, as well as railway lines through the Lötschberg and the Simplon, will serve as alternative routes to avoid the Gotthard Tunnel. 

You can see which motorways and main roads to avoid here.

In 2023, 173 foreigners were banned from entering Switzerland
 
All were believed to be threats to the country’s security., according to a new report from the Federal Police Office (Fedpol). 

Terrorism, espionage, and organised crime were the main reasons for entry bans.

In terms of deportations, eight were ordered in 2023 — five more than in 2022.

Half were for terrorism and half for organised crime, Fedpol’s data shows.

READ ALSO: Switzerland faces ‘increased threat’ amid terror attacks in Europe 

Government wants to shorten family reunification procedure for asylum seekers

The Federal Council intends to amend the Federal Law on Foreigners and Integration (LEI), to allow people admitted to Switzerland provisionally reunite with their families after two years instead of three, as is currently the case.

This provision would concern people with a permit F, granted to those who can’t stay in Switzerland permanently, but cannot be sent back to their countries due to political situation there.

The project is under consultation until August 22nd.

If you have any questions about life in Switzerland, ideas for articles or news tips for The Local, please get in touch with us at [email protected]

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