Latest Policy news and updates from Switzerland. AI-curated articles covering Policy topics.
A pending change to the fee structure for physiotherapy, planned for 2027, has sparked controversy and led to the creation of a new professional association, Prophysio. Critics fear the changes will lead to income loss and negatively impact patient care.
In an effort to maintain the country's public cleanliness, the Swiss government will introduce a standardized national penalty for littering, harmonizing rules that previously varied by canton.
A new national survey has found that approximately 20% of second-grade pupils in Switzerland are not achieving the basic educational goals in reading and mathematics. The Conference of Cantonal Ministers of Education described the overall performance as 'moderate', highlighting persistent challenges in foundational learning.
A new report ranks Switzerland 36th out of 37 European countries for its efforts in tobacco control, placing it just ahead of Bosnia and Herzegovina. The Swiss Association for Tobacco Prevention highlights significant gaps in advertising bans, prevention efforts, and regulation of new nicotine products, noting Switzerland has yet to ratify a key WHO framework.
Axpo's chairman, Thomas Sieber, has proposed building three to four gas-fired power plants as a flexible and relatively quick solution to secure Switzerland's electricity supply, complementing hydropower and other renewables.
The OECD has recommended a series of reforms for Switzerland aimed at strengthening competition and social participation. The report calls for expanding affordable childcare, reducing state influence in network industries like energy and transport, and improving governance to boost economic growth and support working families.
As the European Union prepares to introduce handling fees for small imported parcels this year, the Swiss Retail Federation is calling for Switzerland to implement a similar measure to level the playing field for domestic businesses and cover growing e-commerce logistics costs.
An analysis by energy group Axpo concludes that Switzerland can guarantee its electricity supply after phasing out nuclear power, but only if the government extends the life of existing plants, prioritizes winter electricity, and accelerates wind energy development.
A coalition of 23 NGOs, including WWF and Amnesty International, protested in Zurich, accusing Switzerland of violating its COP26 commitments by providing export risk insurance for ten gas-fired power plant projects in other countries.
In a legally binding measure to target protection efforts, Switzerland has created a new 'List of Priority Species' featuring 2,999 plants and animals for which the country has a special responsibility, including endemic species like the Blüemlisalp ground beetle.
Swiss Transfusion SRC has announced that blood donation criteria will be relaxed from February 1, expanding the pool of eligible donors. The changes, approved by Swissmedic, will allow donations from individuals who previously had blood transfusions or spent extended periods in the UK.
From February 1, more people in Switzerland will be eligible to donate blood. Swiss Transfusion SRC is lifting restrictions for those who previously had transfusions or spent significant time in the UK during the 1980s and 1990s.
The Association of Swiss Electricity Companies warns that Switzerland is projected to face significant electricity supply challenges by 2050, citing rising demand, the nuclear phase-out, and delays in grid expansion.
The Association of Swiss Electricity Companies (AES) has issued a warning that Switzerland is on track to miss its 2050 electricity supply targets due to delays in grid expansion and rising demand, highlighting a critical future challenge for the nation's energy security.
From trusted Swiss news outlets