Alexander Thoele

Expertise: business, social issues, history. Initials: AT

Alexander Thoele began working for SWI swissinfo.ch in 2002. He is of German and Brazilian origin. He was born in Rio de Janeiro and completed studies in journalism and computer science in Brasilia and Stuttgart.

Portuguese Department

The Young Gods: four decades of electronic experimentation

This content was published on Dec 15, 2022 The Young Gods: the Swiss band that became an industrial rock icon and inspired artists from David Bowie and U2 to Nine Inch Nails and Faith No More.

Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva and Jair Bolsonaro

Brazil vote could jump-start free trade agreement

This content was published on Sep 23, 2022 Why the upcoming presidential elections in Brazil are crucial for Switzerland, which wants to ratify a free trade agreement.

Migrant workers head back to Switzerland as Covid-19 restrictions end

This content was published on Sep 8, 2022 Switzerland has returned as a popular destination for foreigners looking for work after two years of Covid restrictions.

Pessoas com uniforma nazista em um encontro

The Führer’s forgotten poet

This content was published on Sep 7, 2022 History has not looked kindly on the legacy of Swiss poet Heinrich Anacker, who the Nazi Party called “a singer of our times”.

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Jean Ziegler – the thorn in the side of Swiss capitalists

This content was published on Jun 29, 2022 Jean Ziegler has written numerous bestsellers, but has also been repeatedly criticised for his connections to dictators.

Frame grab from Ceia by Porta dos Fundos with Gregorio Duvivier

Freedom of expression ‘has a price’, says Brazilian comedian

This content was published on Oct 18, 2021 Brazil has never been a big fan of freedom of expression, says actor and comedian Gregório Duvivier.

Swiss corona protests: conspiracy theories vs political rights

This content was published on May 20, 2020 Switzerland is now well into phase two of its three-stage loosening of Covid-19 restrictions, but this hasn’t stopped citizen protests.

When there’s plenty of work in the fields, but few workers

This content was published on Apr 13, 2020 Swiss farmers are having to improvise to find enough labourers during the coronavirus pandemic to help with the harvest.

Símbolo de risco biológico sobre o vidro em um laboratório de pesquisas

Swiss-Brazilian disease research faces uncertain future

This content was published on Oct 24, 2018 Scientists are working to unlock the genetic secret behind tuberculosis (TB), which kills more people than AIDS and malaria combined.

Protestors hold up a banner against free trade deals

Minister sets sights on Swiss free trade deal with Mercosur

This content was published on Apr 30, 2018 A mission to South America led by the Swiss Economics Minister hopes to advance free-trade negotiations with South American nations.

Doris Leuthard (esq.) e o presidente de Portugal, Marcelo Rebelo de Sousa.

‘We hope the Portuguese don’t leave Switzerland’

This content was published on Nov 30, 2017 Swiss president Doris Leuthard has reassured Portugal of the important contribution its sizeable community in Switzerland makes to the Swiss economy.

‘Olympics will provide some relief to Brazilians’

This content was published on Aug 2, 2016 Regli, who has been in his post for nearly three years, says Rio will benefit from the summer Olympics, which are due to open on August 5. “The Games are a wonderful platform to present the country to potential investors,” he says. Beyond that, the two-week event will also provide some relief to people in…

The Olympic bells – made in Switzerland

This content was published on Jul 23, 2016 The Olympic Games do not immediately conjure up images of bells, but they are frequently heard heralding the start of the final lap in running and cycling races. The watchmaker Omega, the official timer of the Olympic Games 2016, has ordered 21 bells for Rio. The bellmaker is a small family business founded in the…

Direct democracy also has its user guide

This content was published on Feb 9, 2016 While this form of communication has its critics, its proponents believe that it is an indispensable part of direct democracy. The “explanations by the cabinet” are sent to all citizens’ homes three weeks before a vote takes place. This is a standard procedure laid down by law, which is repeated before each nationwide vote. The…

‘The Germans are finally ripe for democracy’

This content was published on Jan 4, 2016 Germany’s More Democracy group is an example of worldwide attempts to boost citizens’ participation in politics. Two representatives of the NGO told swissinfo.ch about the potential risks of direct democracy. The building in the heart of Berlin that houses More Democracy External link(Mehr Demokratie) is somewhat pompously called House of Democracy and Human Rights. Close…

The Portuguese hulk who wants to rule Swiss wrestling

This content was published on Jun 20, 2015 The rules of Swiss wrestling are simple and brutal: If you find yourself down with your back on the ground, you’ve lost.

Fighting infant mortality in rural Mozambique

This content was published on Jan 27, 2015 In Mozambique, one in ten children dies before reaching five years of age, often from treatable illnesses.

A melting pot of football fans

This content was published on Jun 13, 2014 Emotions run high but ultimately the best games turn into one big party – unless you’re on the losing side. In Basel, which borders Germany and France, several locations hosted events for an army of fans cheering for both Croatia and hosts Brazil. The Museum of Sport and the Terres des Hommes organisation have set…

‘The World Cup is not the cause of global inequality’

This content was published on Jun 11, 2014 The 58-year-old member of the Communist Party of Brazil is friendly and informal – he is wearing a guayabera, a traditional linen shirt, and a pair of leather sandals without socks. The month-long tournament kicks off on June 12. swissinfo.ch: FIFA, world football’s Zurich-based governing body, says eight new stadiums are enough. Had you followed…

Police recruitment of foreigners divides opinion

This content was published on Jan 16, 2014 Richard Wolff, head of the police department in the city of Zurich, did not expect so much controversy when, in mid-September, he took stock of his first 100 days in office. He had proposed to integrate foreigners into the police force of Switzerland’s largest city. Criticism wasn’t long in coming. Both the police officers’ union and…