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by Ursula Cross
(17 May 2024) The special print of the “Criminal complaint against Swissmedic” gives a comprehensive impression of what went wrong during the pandemic to be better prepared for the future. The criminal complaint is an important legal part of coming to terms with the coronavirus period, as is also necessary for all other areas of society.
by German Foreign policy
(17 May 2024) German Defence Minister Pistorius pushes ahead with organisational shake-up. The Bundeswehr continues its trajectory, first begun in 2014, towards war with Russia. Military and civilian elements to be interlocked.
Germany’s armed forces are gearing their internal organisational structure to a future war against Russia. With the reorganisation announced by Defence Minister Boris Pistorius at the beginning of the month the military hopes to achieve “combat readiness, command capability and conscription preparedness”.
by Thomas Scherr*
(17 May 2024) A new understanding of independence and neutrality has spread like mildew across the Swiss media world and is now being instilled into the public’s consciousness. Even politicians and federal councillors are now of the mistaken opinion that a rapprochement with NATO could somehow be compatible with the country’s neutrality. An extremely fatal error.
Switzerland is slowly and imperceptibly finding itself in a situation that hardly anyone could have imagined. As a small state, it is threatened to become a cog in a huge military machine – there can no longer be any talk of neutrality and independence. And this even though the value of neutrality is consistently ranked first in surveys of how the Swiss see themselves. Politicians affirm the country’s neutrality again and again, while they themselves stand idly by... or are actively involved in steering Switzerland into a highly dangerous situation.
by Stefan Brändle,* Paris
(10 May 2024) (CH-S) It is usually committed and courageous individuals who can win over their fellow citizens in favour of sensible innovations. Mayor Vincent Paul-Petit opens a mobile phone-free zone in the village of Seine-Port. A clear signal for the protection of children and young people, after decades of too little action on the part of the state.
by Ueli Gubler*
(10 May 2024) (CH-S) On 9 June 2024, a federal referendum on four proposals will take place. The first three proposals concern a decision on three popular initiatives on healthcare issues.
The fourth proposal is about the acceptance or rejection of the “Federal Act on a Secure Electricity Supply with Renewable Energy Sources” passed by Parliament in autumn 2023. A committee has launched a referendum against this law and collected the necessary 50,000 signatures within three months. As a result, this federal law is now up for a vote.
Ueli Gubler has analysed the content of this law on “secure electricity supply” and sets out his considerations for the “Swiss Standpoint” in the following article.
Interview with Philippe Lazzarini* conducted by Pavel Tsukanov
(10 May 2024) In a special interview with TASS, Philippe Lazzarini, Commissioner-General of the UN Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees in the Near East (UNRWA) provided insight into his visit to Russia, highlighted what support Moscow has provided to the agency, and addressed the motivations behind some countries’ attempts to dismantle UNRWA and undermine the interests of Palestinians.