Switzerland news roundup for 6 April 2025
- US Tariffs on Swiss Imports: The imposition of 31% US tariffs on Swiss goods has caused significant concern across Switzerland. The Swiss government is currently analyzing the situation and its potential impacts, particularly on the vital pharmaceutical sector, but has decided against immediate retaliatory measures. President Karin Keller-Sutter has advised against "alarmism" in response to the tariffs. Meanwhile, the World Trade Organization predicts these tariffs could contribute to a 1% contraction in global trade. Companies, politicians, and workers are actively assessing the full economic cost of these punitive measures introduced by the Trump administration.
- Record Population Growth: Switzerland's permanent resident population reached a record high at the end of 2024, totalling 9,048,900 people, as reported by SWI swissinfo.ch. This represents a notable increase, occurring even amidst a reported decline in immigration levels during the same period. This demographic development marks a significant milestone in the country's growth and composition, highlighting continued population expansion despite potentially changing migration patterns and marking a new peak for the nation's residency figures.
- Beny Steinmetz Bribery Conviction Upheld: Switzerland's highest judicial body, the Federal Court, has definitively upheld the bribery conviction against French-Israeli mining magnate Beny Steinmetz. The court confirmed the previous verdict which found him guilty of bribing foreign public officials in Guinea to secure lucrative iron ore mining rights. This final ruling concludes a high-profile, long-running legal battle and reaffirms the initial judgment against the billionaire businessman concerning corrupt practices related to his company's extensive activities in Africa.
- New Task Force Against Foreign Criminals: In response to concerns regarding crime involving foreign nationals, the Swiss government has officially established a dedicated task force. The primary objective of this new body is to improve the consistency and effectiveness of measures taken against foreign criminals residing within Switzerland. Key focus areas include ensuring that such offenders are appropriately detained following offenses and that deportation orders are enforced more systematically, addressing public and political calls for stricter handling of these cases.
- Parental Leave Initiative ('36 Weeks'): A popular initiative known as '36 Weeks' has been launched in Switzerland, proposing a significant expansion of the current parental leave system. If adopted, this plan would introduce a total of 36 weeks of paid leave available to parents following the birth of a child. This proposed leave time would be divided equally between the parents, granting 18 weeks to each. The initiative aims to provide more substantial support for new families and encourage greater equality in childcare responsibilities.
