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THE WEEK IN SWITZERLAND

Four big news stories from Switzerland you shouldn’t miss this week

Moves to impose 'immigration tax' on foreigners, and bi-national MPs are under pressure to give up their foreign citizenships. These are among the big news stories in Switzerland this week. Catch up on everything in this weekly roundup.

Published: 29 December 2023 14:00 CET
Four big news stories from Switzerland you shouldn't miss this week
You must dispose of your Christmas tree in an environmentally correct way — like chop it up. Image by Ralph from Pixabay

Moves against dual-national MPs are underway

Currently, 23 members of parliament — that is nearly 10 percent of all deputies — are dual citizens of Switzerland and another country. 

However, some in the parliament have been trying to outlaw bi-nationality in their ranks, arguing that the MPs who have two passports may not be loyal to Switzerland.
 
Dual-citizen MPs are countering that their loyalties are undivided and, furthermore, their work should “be judged by their actions, rather than by their ancestors.”

READ ALSO: Will Swiss MPs no longer be allowed to have dual nationality? 

Some lawmakers want foreigners in Switzerland to pay ‘immigration tax’

MP Andrea Caroni filed a motion in the parliament  asking the Federal Council to look into the feasibility of imposing special tax on foreigners who settle in Switzerland.

The reason behind this move is that immigrants take advantage of the country’s excellent infrastructure and other benefits, all of which have been financed by local population, and should therefore pay for it.

READ ALSO: Could foreigners in Switzerland be forced to pay ‘immigration tax’

Authorities to fight against fake work permits
 
Falsified Swiss work permits — 1,785 were discovered in 2022, though there are likely many more — are raising alarm among immigration officials and MPs alike.

This practice is made possible because many municipalities don’t have adequate equipment to detect the fakes.

Therefore, MP Reto Nause is about to introduce a bill in the parliament aiming to equip municipal authorities with suitable technology allowing to check permits and other documents of foreigners coming to Switzerland.

READ ALSO: Why are fake work permits a problem in Switzerland? 

Several new traffic rules will go into effect in 2024

Among the regulations to be enacted from January 1st are new efficiency classifications for passenger cars; the requirement to pay a penalty for vehicles that exceed a certain CO2 target before they can be registered; as well as a compulsory speedometer for fast e-bikes.

This is in addition to a 4-percent import duty to be imposed on electric vehicles.

READ ALSO: Here are the new Swiss driving laws and rules you need to know for 2024

Also, if you are not sure what to do with your Christmas tree without breaking any regulations, you will find answers here:

READ ALSO: How to properly dispose of a Christmas tree in Switzerland

And if you would like to celebrate New Year’s Eve and Day like the (traditional) Swiss do, this article has plenty of ideas:

READ ALSO: Seven traditional ways the Swiss celebrate the new year
 
 

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For members

THE WEEK IN SWITZERLAND

Six big news stories from Switzerland you need to know about this week

Attack on a US tourist in Lausanne and criticism of English courses in Swiss schools are among the news The Local reported this week. You can catch up on everything in this weekly roundup.

Published: 21 June 2024 14:52 CEST
Six big news stories from Switzerland you need to know about this week

Criticism against English lessons in elementary schools

Switzerland’s Liberal-Radical party (FDP) have come up with a radical proposal to scrap English and French lessons for primary school children, arguing they do more harm than good.

The party’s claim is that children at that age (typically between eight and 11) need to master their own mother tongue as a priority and learning other languages was holding them back from doing this — especially given Switzerland’s recent poor scores in the global PISA rankings for language and reading.
 
READ ALSO: Why is there a move for Swiss schools to abandon ‘useless’ English lessons?

US tourist in Lausanne stabbed with a knife

Even though crime rate in Lausanne is low, and it, along with other Swiss cities, is comparably safe, a woman visiting from the United States was stabbed in a shoulder during an unsuccessful attempt to steal her bag.

Even though the passersby and local shopkeepers tries to intercept the attacker, he managed to escape.

He was, however, caught and arrested shortly thereafter. 

Police said the perpetrator was known for prior criminal acts.

READ ALSO: American tourist ‘violently attacked’ in Lausanne 

Swiss TV license fee to become cheaper

The current fee (also referred to as ‘tax’) of 335 francs a year per household will drop to 312 francs by 2027, and then to 300 francs from 2029.

The main goal of this reduction is to alleviate the financial burden that the license fee places on many households and businesses alike.

This tax has been dropping gradually over the years, from the all-time high of 451 francs.

READ ALSO: Switzerland to lower the obligatory TV license fee 

Swiss interest rates drop, signalling lower rents

After slashing its interest rates in March, Swiss National Bank again lowered the rate by quarter percent, bringing it down to 1.25 percent.
 
This means that inflation rate has fallen to an acceptable level, and it is also a positive sign for many tenants in Switzerland who will see their rents decline as a result of the cut in interest rates.

Consumers in general will also be able to benefit in terms of lower interest on mortgages and other loans.

READ ALSO: Swiss central bank cuts rate for second straight time 

Switzerland ranked as Europe’s most competitive economy

In its new annual ranking, the IMD Business Institute named Switzerland Europe’s top nation, and the world’s second-best, in terms of competitiveness. 

It is in the first place in terms of government efficiency, public finance and institutional organisation.

Additionally,it is at the top for its infrastructure, particularly for health services, environment, as well as educational system.

Switzerland also scores relatively high for productivity and efficiency, as well as infrastructure for scientific research.

And also:

If you are wondering how Switzerland’s employment laws compare to workers’ rights in the United States —  the two are, literally and figuratively worlds apart.

They differ in terms of annual paid leave, health benefits. and many other benefits as well.
 
You can find out more information about it here:
 
READ ALSO: Six ways working in Switzerland is better than in the US 
 

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