Democracy at SWI swissinfo.ch

Welcome to SWI swissinfo.ch’s overview page for democracy.

Switzerland holds the most referendums in the world by far. SWI swissinfo.ch is dedicated to questions of democracy in Switzerland – which are of interest to the world – and global issues that are linked to Switzerland and its well-established democratic tradition.

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SWI swissinfo.ch is the ten-language public service platform for Switzerland from a global perspective. In 2015 SWI swissinfo.ch launched its own democracy section.

Much has shifted geopolitically since then. Fewer states stand on the pillars of democracy and the rule of law. The majority of the world’s population today is living in “flawed democracies” or “hybrid” systems. More than a third of the world’s population is living in dictatorships.

Meanwhile, in democratic states, scandals about the influence of international social media corporations on elections have triggered broad discussions on whether and how democracies can protect themselves from populist trends.

It is important to accompany the struggle for democracy journalistically. In parliaments, in everyday life, in protests, what “democracy” is supposed to mean is constantly being renegotiated and revived.

In the eight years since the launch of its democracy section, SWI swissinfo.ch has made a name for itself in reporting on democratic developments domestically and globally. We will continue to accompany democratic ideas and movements – in an independent, fair, balanced and critical way.

Voices of democracy in Mexico and Switzerland

Switzerland is an old hand at direct democracy, while Mexico is forging a new path to give more power to its people.

Experts advise a strategy for dealing with communication platforms

Experts recommend holistic strategy for online platforms

This content was published on Jan 14, 2025 Online platforms such as social networks or search engines influence the formation of public opinion and thus democracy.

Only a few invalid signatures for a ban on animal testing

‘Surprisingly few’ signatures invalid for ban on animal testing

This content was published on Jan 14, 2025 The initiative to ban animal testing was submitted in November with around 127,600 signatures. “Surprisingly few” signatures are not valid, the initiative’s organisers have now said.

Swiss votes reveal gender divide

This content was published on Jan 10, 2025 A majority of women rejected all four voting proposals on November 24 – in contrast to men.

Mass-Voll launches referendum against e-ID

Referendum launched against Swiss electronic ID

This content was published on Jan 9, 2025 Voters rejected similar proposals to introduce e-ID in a referendum in 2021.

Daniela Hauser in the ByWard Market district in the Canadian capital Ottawa

Swiss economist grapples with US-Canadian trade relationship

This content was published on Jan 7, 2025 Bern-born Daniela Hauser has to deal with the plans of incoming US President Donald Trump in the Canadian capital Ottawa.

Procurement initiative: thousands of false initials

Thousands of fake signatures flagged in Swiss people’s initiative

This content was published on Dec 29, 2024 More than 3,600 of the signatures submitted for the initiative for the security of medical supplies were invalid.

person with hands behind their back carrying a camera

What does 2025 hold in store for democracy around the world?

This content was published on Dec 28, 2024 Disinformation, election manipulation and online hate are unlikely to disappear – but some signs of hope for democracy can still be found.

A demonstrator waves a Georgian flag during a protest against the governments' decision to suspend negotiations on joining the European Union in Tbilisi, Georgia, early Saturday, Dec. 7, 2024. (AP Photo/Pavel Bednyakov)

Fear of police violence and deportation: the Georgia protests from a Swiss perspective

This content was published on Dec 22, 2024 Swiss citizens are also taking part in the protests. Some fear that they could be deported.

Switzerland must be able to build new nuclear power plants

Switzerland could build new nuclear power plants

This content was published on Dec 20, 2024 The Swiss government has opened up the possibility of new nuclear power plants in response to a people’s initiative.

Moldova: A small neutral country at the crossroads between the EU and Russia

Switzerland is committed to democracy education and the integration of Ukrainians in Moldova.

Freedom of Expression

Man pulling plants on plastic sheet through street

Freedom of expression at the ballot box: the Swiss case

This content was published on Jul 1, 2021 What role does modern direct democracy play in ensuring citizens are heard? The Swiss experience offers various lessons.

Gender-neutral language: an issue for the ballot box?

This content was published on Jun 1, 2021 As more public and private media try to communicate gender neutrally, some say it’s a distraction from real issues. How can you legislate on language?

String of people holding up several pages of signatures they raised for their petition.

Petitions: seemingly toothless yet fundamental

This content was published on May 20, 2021 Not linked to any legally binding commitments, petitions seem to have a paper tiger reputation. So why are people submitting and signing them?

‘Humour over rumour’: lessons from Taiwan in digital democracy

This content was published on May 7, 2021 Audrey Tang, the digital minister of Taiwan, talks about “antisocial” media and new democratic competencies.

When white collar criminals try to silence the press

This content was published on May 6, 2021 In Switzerland, as in the rest of Europe and the US, attempts to pressure and censor a financially fragile media are increasing.

Freedom of expression: universal, but not absolute

This content was published on May 6, 2021 Under threat in many countries and pushed to its limits elsewhere, freedom of expression as we know it is at a critical crossroads.

Switzerland ticks differently with social media laws

This content was published on May 6, 2021 Fake news, conspiracy theories, censorship: the reputation of social media seems at an all-time low. Can it ever be a boon for democracy again?

Governing the Internet from Rousseau’s hometown

This content was published on Apr 27, 2021 If the internet is going to serve democracy around the world, it needs to have its own global government – in Geneva

Who gets to control the freedom of expression?

This content was published on Feb 8, 2021 Democracy vs the Tech Giants: debates have flared after the tumultuous transfer of power in the US in January.

Marietje Schaake is the president of the Cyber Peace Institute in Geneva

Cyber expert warns of dangers of unregulated social media

This content was published on Jan 22, 2021 Marietje Schaake, president of the Cyber Peace Institute, talks to SWI swissinfo.ch about the unprecedented challenges in our digital era.

Democracy inclusion

Kinder im Kipa Luzern halten bei einer Abstimmung grüne Karten hoch, die Ja bedeuten

How young parliamentarians are making a Swiss city more child-friendly

This content was published on Mar 21, 2023 In Lucerne, kids are getting involved politically – and they do it as well as grown-ups. SWI swissinfo.ch visits the children’s parliament.

Children with ballot papers and and a ballot box

How children can contribute to build better democracies

This content was published on Sep 24, 2022 Shortcomings of participative democracy: An international panel in the Swiss city of Lucerne puts the spotlight on the youngest members of society.

Die Schweizerin und Italienerin Zaira Esposito lehnt sich auf eine Bank.

How one woman is trying to give foreigners a political voice in Switzerland

This content was published on Sep 15, 2022 International Day of Democracy: Zaira Esposito helps organise parliamentary sessions for foreigners.

Time to rethink citizenship access in Switzerland

This content was published on Sep 15, 2022 International Day of Democracy: Radical-Liberal politician Përparim Avdili wants easier citizenship access and voting rights for foreigners.

Political rights are not a tool for social inclusion

This content was published on Sep 5, 2022 A young politician argues that political rights should only belong to Swiss citizens.

Männer demonstrieren mit Transparenten in der Stadt

Seasonal workers inspired Swiss ‘Together’ movement

This content was published on Aug 26, 2022 The “seasonal worker” status was deliberately precarious in Switzerland. Solidarity came from the political left.

How true inclusion can reinforce democracy against crises and conflicts

This content was published on Aug 17, 2022 As democracy around the world faces growing challenges, activists and experts say one way to make it more robust is to include more voices.

How do we save democracy?

Democracy is facing its biggest crisis since World War 2. How can we make it more robust?

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Oct 19, 2022

227 Comments

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Global Voices of Freedom

Exiled journalist Can Dündar: ‘Turkey’s at a new crossroads’

This content was published on Mar 13, 2023 In exile in Germany, Turkish journalist Can Dündar is committed to the democratic future of his homeland.

Wang Zhian: China’s democratic voice

This content was published on Jan 10, 2023 Journalism is dead inside China, says Chinese investigative journalist Wang Zhian.

Freedom of speech ‘doesn’t exist’ in Venezuela

This content was published on Nov 30, 2022 Venezuelan journalist Carlos Omobono used to be a TV star in his homeland. Today he continues to make his voice heard in exile in Italy.

The risks of reporting on the Roman Mafia

This content was published on Oct 18, 2022 For journalists covering the dark side of today’s Italy, the EU state remains a dangerous place, says reporter Federica Angeli.

‘When the media is killed, society loses’

This content was published on Sep 22, 2022 Earlier this year Joel Vera was forced to shut down his online news portal in Mexico after two colleagues were murdered.

Global Forum for Democracy 2022 – voices for freedom in Lucerne

This content was published on Sep 23, 2022 Participants at the 10th Global Forum for Modern Direct Democracy on how democracies could be strengthened and made more democratic.

Russia has passed ‘100 new laws’ restricting press freedom

This content was published on Jul 4, 2022 Galina Timchenko, the Russian-Ukrainian editor-in-chief of meduza.io, still writes about what Russian media can no longer publish due to censorship.

homme portant un masque dans son bureau devant un ordinateur

Paolo Berizzi, an Italian journalist living under 24-hour police protection

This content was published on Jun 3, 2022 Paolo Berizzi of La Repubblica newspaper has been under round-the-clock police protection for three years.

When a journalist refuses to become a billionaire’s press officer

This content was published on Dec 16, 2021 Inside Ukraine, a struggle is ongoing for the freedom of the press, as our latest “Voice of Freedom” tells us in Kyiv.

‘Freedom of expression is under pressure even in Switzerland’

This content was published on Dec 6, 2021 Investigative journalist Marie Maurisse warns about attempts by the powerful to stop the publication of compromising information.

External Content

Swiss democracy hotspots with Claude Longchamp

How exclusion became the driving force for democratisation

This content was published on Sep 13, 2022 Geneva is a pioneer for giving people with severe mental or physical disabilities the right to vote.

Frau, die im Parlamentssaal voller Männer vereidigt wird.

Gender discrimination: the first Swiss woman in cantonal parliament

This content was published on Aug 16, 2022 The first woman in Switzerland ever to be elected to a cantonal parliament was Raymonde Schweizer.

How a strike threat reshaped Swiss democracy

This content was published on Jul 19, 2022 The general strike called in Olten in 1918 was like an earthquake for Swiss politics.

How popular votes made Switzerland a global democracy leader

This content was published on Jun 24, 2022 The latest in our ‘Swiss democracy hotspots’ series: Schaffhausen, a canton with an almost unbelievable voting record.

Stadtwanderer Claude Longchamp in Bern vor dem Hotel Äusserer Stand

The Swiss constitution – a mix of democracy and federalism

This content was published on Jun 10, 2022 The first version of the Swiss constitution was a breakthrough on the road to democratisation. But it was far from perfect.

How canton Ticino became a democracy pioneer in Europe

This content was published on Apr 28, 2022 Canton Ticino is today a popular tourist destination. Back in July 1830 it was the scene of the first liberal revolution in Europe.

The birth of modern democracy in the heart of Europe

This content was published on Mar 28, 2022 The “Swiss Revolution” brought democracy to Switzerland. It was an uprising against the aristocracy – and the beginning of a long journey.

Seasonal workers inspired Swiss ‘Together’ movement

This content was published on Aug 26, 2022 The “seasonal worker” status was deliberately precarious in Switzerland. Solidarity came from the political left.

How true inclusion can reinforce democracy against crises and conflicts

This content was published on Aug 17, 2022 As democracy around the world faces growing challenges, activists and experts say one way to make it more robust is to include more voices.

Swiss Abroad

Aussie adoptee gains Swiss citizenship at 54 thanks to old envelope

Swiss Abroad

Thousands of emigrants’ descendants in Argentina demand Swiss citizenship

"It is impossible to fully go back, neither physically nor as a person," says Chris/Nadia Brönimann.

Identities

Switzerland’s most renowned trans person no longer wants to be a woman

Swiss Abroad

Solothurn, the Swiss city that goes up to 11

Post Auto tested the first automated bus in Switzerland

Science

Explainer: Switzerland gears up for driverless transport era

Should Switzerland take measures to support its struggling industries?

Industrial policies are back in fashion, not only in the United States but also in the EU. Should Switzerland, where various industries are struggling, draw inspiration from such policies?

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Nov 28, 2024

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18 Comments

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Have you ever heard anything peculiar about Switzerland that you found interesting?

Is there anything peculiar related to Switzerland that has caught your interest? Share it with us, and we might feature it in an article!

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Nov 13, 2024

30 Likes

32 Comments

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Did you lose or gain Swiss citizenship? How did that affect your life?

What impact has this had on your life? Tell us your story.

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Nov 1, 2024

71 Likes

107 Comments

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Democracy at SWI swissinfo.ch

Our democracy newsletter

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Voices of democracy in Mexico and Switzerland

More

Experts recommend holistic strategy for online platforms

More

‘Surprisingly few’ signatures invalid for ban on animal testing

More

Swiss votes reveal gender divide

More

Referendum launched against Swiss electronic ID

More

Swiss economist grapples with US-Canadian trade relationship

More

Thousands of fake signatures flagged in Swiss people’s initiative

More

What does 2025 hold in store for democracy around the world?

More

Fear of police violence and deportation: the Georgia protests from a Swiss perspective

More

Switzerland could build new nuclear power plants

More

Moldova: A small neutral country at the crossroads between the EU and Russia

More

Freedom of expression at the ballot box: the Swiss case

More

Gender-neutral language: an issue for the ballot box?

More

Petitions: seemingly toothless yet fundamental

More

‘Humour over rumour’: lessons from Taiwan in digital democracy

More

When white collar criminals try to silence the press

More

Freedom of expression: universal, but not absolute

More

Switzerland ticks differently with social media laws

More

Governing the Internet from Rousseau’s hometown

More

Who gets to control the freedom of expression?

More

Cyber expert warns of dangers of unregulated social media

More

How young parliamentarians are making a Swiss city more child-friendly

More

How children can contribute to build better democracies

More

How one woman is trying to give foreigners a political voice in Switzerland

More

Time to rethink citizenship access in Switzerland

More

Political rights are not a tool for social inclusion

More

Seasonal workers inspired Swiss ‘Together’ movement

More

How true inclusion can reinforce democracy against crises and conflicts

More

How do we save democracy?

More

Exiled journalist Can Dündar: ‘Turkey’s at a new crossroads’

More

Wang Zhian: China’s democratic voice

More

Freedom of speech ‘doesn’t exist’ in Venezuela

More

The risks of reporting on the Roman Mafia

More

‘When the media is killed, society loses’

More

Global Forum for Democracy 2022 – voices for freedom in Lucerne

More

Russia has passed ‘100 new laws’ restricting press freedom

More

Paolo Berizzi, an Italian journalist living under 24-hour police protection

More

When a journalist refuses to become a billionaire’s press officer

More

‘Freedom of expression is under pressure even in Switzerland’