Politics - Helvetica Times

Switzerland Tightens Social Media Rules For Minors, But Stops Short Of An Age Ban

The Federal Council wants large social media platforms and search engines to do more to protect children and young people. It has decided, for now, against a minimum age for social media use.

Politics · Oct 12

Bern’s Unauthorised Anti-Imperialist Demo Ends Peacefully, One Year After Violent Gaza Protest

Around 1,000 people joined the demonstration in Bern on Sunday, but police prevented a march through the city centre. The rally marked one year since a Gaza demonstration descended into hours of rioting.

Politics · Oct 10

US Midterms Could Decide How Far Trump’s Tariffs On Switzerland Go

The 39% Trump’s Tariffs On Switzerland, which took effect in August 2025, was one of the most significant trade shocks Switzerland has faced in recent years

Breaking News · Oct 6

Switzerland India Sign Agreements During Parmelin Visit: Migration And Young Professionals On Table

Trade, investment, AI and global conflicts were discussed as Switzerland's President met Indian Prime Minister Modi.

Politics · Oct 3

Former UBS Banker Céline Amaudruz Weighs Bid To Succeed Guy Parmelin

The Geneva SVP politician is among several possible successors to the departing federal councillor. Her banking career has drawn attention, but there is no evidence that UBS is backing her candidacy.

Politics · Sep 25

Zurich Reports 41% Postal Voting Ahead Of Swiss Neutrality Referendum

The dispute is over how much freedom the government should retain to cooperate with security partners and respond to conflicts.

Business · Sep 25

Zurich Tops Global Property-Bubble Risk Ranking As Housing Shortage Deepens

Zurich and Tokyo are the only markets in the highest risk category.

Business · Sep 24

UBS Faces Parliamentary Setback As Capital Rules Tighten

Ermotti’s campaign fails to shift vote as UBS suffers a clear setback.

Local · Aug 28

More Refugees In Canton Zurich Gain Access To Job Market, New Report Shows

Among people from the asylum and refugee sector, the number receiving employment support rose by roughly a third, to 1,624 people.

Breaking News · Aug 24

Zurich Confirms Foreign-Sounding Names Cost You The Interview: Then Rejects The Fix

Asian and African job seekers face up to 19% worse odds in Switzerland. Zurich just voted to do nothing about it.

Breaking News · Aug 24

Zurich To Test 35-Hour Working Week For City Employees

Meanwhile, the Green Party City Councillor warns of a "hyper-elaborate experiment that stresses everyone out."

Politics · Aug 21

Switzerland’s Individual Taxation Reform: A Timeline Now Set For 2032

The Federal Council announced on 19 August 2026 that individual taxation will take effect on the latest date permitted by law: 1 January 2032.

Politics · Aug 18

Swiss Voters To Decide On Neutrality In September 2026

"Switzerland should not join any military or defence alliance, nor should it cooperate with any such alliance," the proposal says.

Politics · Aug 13

Switzerland Explores Defence Cooperation With Japan Amid Fighter Jet Speculation

Is Bern looking to widen its network of armament partners beyond Europe?

Politics · Aug 5

Zurich-Built Anti-Drone Air-Defence System Skyranger Is A Concrete Swiss Plan To Stop Drones

Zurich-Built Anti-Drone Air-Defence System Skyranger is built by Rheinmetall Air Defence in Zurich’s Oerlikon district.

Local · Jul 28

Zurich Court Blocks City’s Cash Aid Plan For Undocumented Migrants: Internet Reacts

According to the ruling, undocumented migrants are entitled only to emergency aid.

Politics · Jul 27

Switzerland Still Trails Europe On Maternity And Paternity Leave

Switzerland is well behind countries such as Sweden, Germany and Norway, which offer much longer maternity and paternity leave.

Politics · Jul 20

Why Has Switzerland Joined NATO Ammunition Support?

The partnership aims to shorten delivery times and make procurement more efficient for all participants.

Politics · Jul 8

Swiss Voters To Decide On Four Federal Measures In November: Fireworks, War Material, 13th AHV Pension, Marriage Penalty

The first measure is a federal resolution to raise the standard VAT rate by 0.4% points to 8.5% in order to co-finance the 13th AHV pension, which was approved by voters in March 2026 and is due to be paid out for the first time this year.

Politics · Jun 30

Half Of All Swiss Voters Are Now Over 60, And The Gap Is Growing

Over half of all ballots are cast by Swiss voters aged 60 or over. Avenir Suisse warns that this trend should not be ignored.

Local · Jun 16

Zürich’s Feminist Strike Kicks Off With City Centre March As Thousands Demonstrate Across Switzerland

The authorised march had been called at short notice the previous evening, serving as the launch event for the nationwide feminist strike.

Politics · Jun 15

Tear Gas, Burning Cars, Hundreds Detained: Geneva’s G7 Protests Turn Violent

Geneva's G7 protests turn violent as protesters hurl bottles, stones, cement blocks, and fireworks at security forces. Buildings close to the UN campus have been damaged, while a bank's windows were smashed. A Tesla was also set on fire, left with "Eat the Rich" spray-painted on its side.

Expat · Jun 15

Swiss Voters Deliver A Clear Defeat To Right-Wing SVP’s Anti-Immigration Agenda

With nearly 55% voting against the proposal to limit the country's population to 10 million, Swiss Voters reject population cap in blow to People's Party's anti-immigration agenda.

Local · Jun 11

Zug To Pay Record CHF 4,001 Per Resident Into National Equalisation Fund

Zug's extraordinary tax revenues mechanically increases its obligation to National Equalisation Fund poorer cantons year after year

Politics · Jun 9

Switzerland Orders 32 New Artillery Systems To Replace Cold War-Era Howitzers

The M109 howitzer has been in Swiss Army service for decades and is now approaching the end of its operational lifespan.

Business · Jun 3

US Tariff Threats Put Swiss Exporters On Edge As Washington Raises Pressure

For Switzerland, US tariff threats are especially sensitive because the US is one of its most important export destinations, particularly for pharmaceuticals, machinery, precision instruments and high-value industrial goods.

Local · Jun 2

Mario Fehr And Left-Wing Parties Clash Over Winterthur Stabbing Attack

The Office of the Attorney General is now investigating suspected terrorism.

Politics · Jun 1

Switzerland Weighs European Air Defence Amidst Tensed Geopolitical Situation

In view of the tense geopolitical situation and the increasing threat from ranged weapons, the Federal Council wants to weigh European air defence to strengthen air defence.

Politics · May 26

Who Is Beat Jans and Why He Is Fighting the Swiss Population Cap Vote

Federal Councillor Beat Jans fights population cap vote. “On June 14th, we will experience Switzerland’s Brexit moment,” he said.

Politics · May 21

Polish President Karol Nawrocki to Visit Switzerland for Security Talks

What is on the table? Mainly, European policy, European security and the geopolitical situation.

Breaking News · May 20

Swiss Defence Minister Martin Pfister Pushes Drone Build-Up Amid Rising Air Threats

Pfister has said Switzerland faces “a large gap” in air defence and needs to close it quickly, a message he repeated while presenting the army’s 2026 spending package back in March.

Politics · May 20

Swiss 10-Million Population Vote: High Stakes and E-Voting Trials

The vote would enshrine a cap on Switzerland’s permanent resident population at 10 million or fewer until 2050.