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TODAY IN SWITZERLAND

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

Geneva to offer financial perks to its residents; Swiss franc weakens against the euro; and more news in our roundup on Friday.

Published: 22 March 2024 07:44 CET
Today in Switzerland: A roundup of the latest news on Friday
Twint is Switzerland's most reputed brand. Photo by Fabrice COFFRINI / AFP

Geneva to lower taxes and offer free public transport to young people

In 2023, the canton recorded a budget surplus of nearly 1.4 million francs.

This enviable profit was made possible by “good control of charges, as well as higher-than-expected tax revenues,” cantonal authorities said in a press release on Thursday. 

This surplus will allow the canton to cut taxes for the middle class and to offer free transport on the UNIRESO network to young people up to the age of 24.

Twint dominates Switzerland’s ‘most reputed brands’ ranking

The cashless payment app took the top spot in the new Swiss Reputation Ranking, published by GfK market research institute on Thursday. 

The ranking is based on consumer feedback about various Swiss brands.

In the second and third places are Zweifel chips company and Migros supermarket chain.

Ricola, national railway company SBB, Rivella, Die Mobiliar insurance, Coop, Lindt & Sprüngli chocolate manufacturers, and Geberit sanitary products are also among the top-10 most reputed brands.

GfK institute also asked survey participants to rank Switzerland’s best-known non-profit organisations.

Top among them are REGA air rescue service, Swiss Paraplegic Foundation, and Swiss Red Cross. 

READ ALSO : What is Twint and how does it work? 

Franc weakens after interest rate drop

After the Swiss National Bank cut the interest rate from 1.75 to 1.50 percent on Thursday, the franc, one of the world’s strongest currencies, has weakened by 1 percent.

As a result, the US dollar slightly gained in value against the franc.

And relative to the euro, Swiss currency fell to an eight-month low of 1.02220.

READ ALSO: What impact will latest bank interest rate cut have on Swiss consumers?

Weekend weather: wait! Winter is not quite over yet

Although March 20th marked  the first day of spring season and the temperature has reached 19C in many places across the country, don’t put away your winter clothes just yet.

That’s because a cold front is on its way. 

“Temperature at an altitude of 1,500 m will drop by almost 10C,” according to the National Institute of Meteorology, MeteoSwiss. 

On lowlands too it will be much cooler from Saturday, and frost could even cover the roads early Monday morning, after the cool night on Sunday.

 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 Monday

Voters in Geneva urged not to rant further political rights to foreigners'; Zurich's population to grow by 400,000 more people; and other Swiss news in our roundup on Monday.

Published: 29 April 2024 08:24 CEST
Today in Switzerland: A roundup of the latest news on Monday

Geneva’s MPs speak out against giving foreigners full political rights

Longtime residents of Switzerland’s most international city and canton already have the right to cast their vote on local issues in their municipalities.

On June 9th, however, Geneva’s voters will have their say on whether these rights should be extended to include running for elections and casting their ballots at the cantonal level as well.

However, in an interview with Tribune de Genève over the weekend, three cantonal MPs from centre parties said this move should be rejected. 

“No canton, no country, provides such generous rights to their foreigners,” the three said.
 
“For us, naturalisation is the preferred path for foreigners to obtain full political rights,” they added.

READ ALSO: Where in Switzerland can foreigners vote? 

Zurich sets plans for its population to reach the 2-million mark
 
At the end of 2023, over 1.6 million people lived in Zurich — Switzerland’s most populous canton. 
 
But the population is continuing to grow — so much so, that it will reach the 2-million mark in the coming years, cantonal authorities said in a press release.

The primary reason for this hike, accounting for 49 percent of the increase, is immigration, followed by births (44 percent) and, to a lesser degree (7 percent), people moving to Zurich from other Swiss regions.

This means that public authorities will have to ensure that Zurich’s infrastructure, such as housing, public transport, as well as school and healthcare systems, could absorb this growth spurt.

Report: Housing shortage is ‘not going to improve any time soon’
 
Due to low construction activity, available accommodations will remain in short supply in Switzerland, according to a new report by Wüest Partner real estate consultants.

In fact, the situation “is not going to improve any time soon,” the report said.

Rents are therefore expected to increase further next year.

In terms of purchasing prices of properties, they are expected to rise as well — by 11.2 percent in Geneva, 8.7 percent in the Lake Geneva region (which includes Vaud), and 7.2 percent in Zurich.

More racial incidents reported in Switzerland
 
Reports of racism-related incidents have increased by almost a quarter in 2023, according to the annual report of Racism Advice Centers released on Sunday.

It found that among the 876 cases recorded — 168 more than the previous year — the majority occurred at school. This includes not only educational institutions themselves, but also groups created by students on social media.

Among reasons for the increase in cases of racism, the organisation cites the escalation of the conflict in the Middle East, which has also incited more your people in Switzerland to adopt extremist views, and even to resort to violence.
 
READ ALSO: Are foreigners in Switzerland likely to experience some form of racism? 
 
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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