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Today in Switzerland: A roundup of the latest news on Wednesday

Helena Bachmann
Helena Bachmann - [email protected]
Today in Switzerland: A roundup of the latest news on Wednesday
Switzerland may have its own memorial to victims of Nazism. Photo by Tobias Schwarz / AFP

Find out what's going on today in Switzerland with The Local's short roundup of the news.

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Return to normal for Swiss trains

Swiss Federal Railways (SBB) are responding to the normalisation of life in Switzerland following the lifting on many restrictions of May 31st.

With the re-opening of restaurants, the end of obligation to work from home, and the prospect of public events such as concerts happening again in the summer, increasing numbers of people will be using public transportation again.

The dining cars will be open again from June 11th. However, not all seats can be used, in order to respect a minimum distance between travellers.

From July 2nd, trains will be circulating at night during weekends.

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Testing centres close to saturation points

All those who need a Covid test to be able to go abroad this summer are advised to make an appointment already now, as test sites have fewer available slots in the next few weeks.

Various cantons report that people are making appointments for tests well ahead of the summer school vacation, which starts in the first week of July in most of Switzerland.

 

Photo by Pascal GUYOT / AFP

READ MORE: PCR, rapid and self-tests: Your guide to coronavirus testing in Switzerland

Switzerland wants to create a memorial for the victims of Nazism

The Council of States accepted a motion calling on the Federal Council to create an official place of remembrance for the Nazi victims.

"The memory of the crimes of Nazism and of the six million Jews killed, but also of all the other victims, must be kept alive", said Foreign Affairs Minister Ignazio Cassis.

“As time goes by, knowledge about National Socialism and the Holocaust evaporates. This is dangerous, because some do not want to know anything about the events of that time. Others relativise or deny the horrors of Nazism and the terrible effects of totalitarianism”, he noted.

Foreign Ministry will soon present to the Federal Council various options for the realisation of a memorial, Cassis said.

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People with intellectual disabilities must be able to vote, MPs say

The Council of States sent a motion to the Federal Council calling for people with intellectual disabilities to be able to participate fully in political life.

The Federal Council will have to present a report to assess the measures to be taken to allow people with mental disabilities to  vote and be elected, in accordance with the principle of non-discrimination.

MP Marina Carobbio argued that these individuals “must be able to participate fully in political and public life, either directly or through representatives”.

To help them in their process, "easy-to-read language should be used at all levels of the government as well as in voting materials”, she says.

In Switzerland, people considered to be permanently incapable of discernment are in principle excluded from the right to vote and run for office.

Swiss university ranked among 10 best in the world

Swiss Federal Institute of Technology (ETH) in Zurich placed in the 8th place in the annual ranking compiled by the global education network Quacquarelli Symonds (QS).

ETH’s sister school, the Federal Institute of Technology in Lausanne (EPFL) ranks in the 14th place.

The survey features 1,300 universities from 97 locations around the world.

ETH is the only educational institution in continental Europe to be included in the top 10. 

You can see all the rankings here.

If you have any questions about life in Switzerland, ideas for articles or news tips for The Local please get in touch with us at [email protected]

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