The Senate has for a third time voted against extra funding to build temporary accommodation for the mounting number of refugees coming to Switzerland.
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The government had asked for CHF66.5 million ($73.7 million) to build so-called ‘container villages’ on military land.
The funding request had dropped in half from the original CHF132.9 million that the government said it needed to house refugees.
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Why asylum in Switzerland remains elusive for Afghan refugees
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Despite the deteriorating human rights situation under the Taliban, the Swiss continue to resist calls to facilitate entry and protection for Afghans.
The House of Representatives had agreed to the original funding request, but the Senate has repeatedly refused to approve the credit.
During debates, some politicians argued that there is still enough space available without building new container villages.
In instances where parliamentary chambers cannot agree on funding matters, the decision that involves less public outlay takes precedent.
Last year Switzerland registered 24,500 asylum-seekers, which was 64% more than the previous year. This excludes some 75,000 Ukrainian refugees, who received a special protection status through an accelerated registration process.
Refugee numbers this year are estimated anywhere between 27,000 and 40,000.
Direct trains to run from Zurich to Florence and Livorno
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The Swiss Federal Railways and Trenitalia will offer direct trains from Zurich to Florence and Livorno and vice versa from 2026.
Number of Swiss armed forces exceeds specified limit
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The Swiss armed forces had an effective headcount of around 147,000 as of March 1, 2024. This exceeds the upper limit of 140,000 specified in the army organisation by 5%.
More than 400,000 cross-border commuters now work in Switzerland
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More than half of all cross-border commuters were resident in France (around 57%). Large proportions also lived in Italy (23%) and Germany (around 16%).
Amherd and von der Leyen discuss ongoing Swiss-EU negotiations
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Swiss President Viola Amherd and EU Commission President Ursula von der Leyen have met and talked about the ongoing negotiations between Bern and Brussels.
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One million francs, 34 million euros and around 830 kilos of gold: this is the fortune that two Swiss nationals are accused of having moved across borders for at least four years.
Girls in female-dominated classes earn more later on
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At the age of 30, women from school classes with a 55% share of girls earn $350 more per year than women from classes with a 45% share of girls.
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Geneva-based luxury goods group Richemont reported a downturn in performance for the first half of its 2024/25 financial year. Both sales and profit declined.
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Swiss parliament rejects more funds to house refugees
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Parliament continues to block millions of francs to build more accommodation for a growing number of refugees in Switzerland.
Swiss government plans more accommodation for asylum seekers
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The Swiss government has asked parliament to set aside CHF132.9 million ($155 million) to create additional accommodation for asylum seekers.
Amnesty praises ‘rapid support’ for Ukrainian refugees in Switzerland
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Ukrainians who fled to Switzerland have received rapid support, says Amnesty. But the war has highlighted flaws in the Swiss asylum system.
Swiss parliament greenlights army support for migration office
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The Swiss parliament says soldiers can be deployed to help support the State Secretariat for Migration cope with the influx of asylum-seekers.
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