The Swiss government has approved its first anti-corruption policy paper, but a leading NGO says the paper is too timid.
This content was published on
1 minute
swisinfo.ch/urs
The strategy objectives for the next four years include prevention measures, the prosecution of corruption cases and international cooperation, according to a statement published on Wednesday.
The government is planning to boost cooperation with cantonal and local authorities as well as with the private sector and civil society.
It also pledged to update the strategy at the end of 2024 following the regular anti-corruption reviews by the United Nations, the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development and the Council of Europe.
It criticised the lack of measures against lobbying and the limited powers of an anti-corruption working group made up of representatives from different government ministries.
Transparency International also pointed out the lack of regulations to prevent former government ministers and senior officials from the federal administration from taking jobs in the private sector.
The NGO said the government’s strategy had a very limited impact. “The new measures do not go beyond the obligations already in place,” it said. It also criticised the fact that it took the government about ten years to present the paper.
More
More
NGO criticises Switzerland over ‘opaque’ lobbyists
This content was published on
Political lobbying in Switzerland is much too opaque and not properly regulated, warns Transparency International.
Swiss price watchdog slams excessive prices for generic medicines
This content was published on
The cheapest generic medicines available in Switzerland are more than twice as expensive as in other countries, according to a study by the Swiss price watchdog.
Nature should not figure in net zero calculations: academic study
This content was published on
The natural removal of CO2 from the atmosphere by forests or oceans should not be included in the net-zero balance of climate protection measures, argue researchers.
This content was published on
None of the 15 major Swiss retail banks is meeting international climate and biodiversity targets, according to a ranking by WWF Switzerland.
This content was published on
Nestlé's new CEO Laurent Freixe, has presented plans for the future of the world's largest food company, after his first few weeks in office.
Swiss foreign minister calls on Moscow to end Ukraine war
This content was published on
It's high time Moscow ended its war against Ukraine, Swiss foreign minister Ignazio Cassis tells the UN Security Council.
This content was published on
The only alternative to the UN Palestinian agency’s work in Gaza is to allow Israel to run services there, Philippe Lazzarini, UNRWA Commissioner-General, told reporters in Geneva on Monday.
Study reveals food culture differences between Switzerland and neighbours
This content was published on
Three-quarters of Swiss people consider eating to be a pleasurable, social activity, a new survey reveals. Healthy eating, however, plays a much less important role, it found.
If you want to start a conversation about a topic raised in this article or want to report factual errors, email us at english@swissinfo.ch.
Read more
More
Federal body slams negative influence of tobacco industry
This content was published on
The Federal Commission for Tobacco PreventionExternal link accuses three international tobacco giants, with regional headquarters in Switzerland, of manipulating the debate with their own campaigns that promise alternative solutions to smoking related health problems. “These undermine the health policy objectives of the Federal Council [Swiss government] and exert pressure and influence on the political actors.…
This content was published on
Switzerland is one of the few countries to actively enforce efforts to combat bribery of foreign officials but it still has work to do.
Watchdog urges Switzerland to step up anti-bribery efforts
This content was published on
Switzerland is an active anti-bribery enforcer but still needs to do more, the anti-corruption group Transparency International says.
You can find an overview of ongoing debates with our journalists here . Please join us!
If you want to start a conversation about a topic raised in this article or want to report factual errors, email us at english@swissinfo.ch.