Today in Switzerland: A roundup of the latest news on Friday
Find out what's going on today in Switzerland with The Local's short roundup of the news.
No surprise here: Switzerland got a bit more expensive
Swiss prices rose slightly in August, according to new data published by the Federal Statistical Office (FSO).
Figures indicate an increase of 0.2 percent compared to July, and of 0.9 percent over the past 12.months.
Prices went up in particular in rents, housing costs in general, as well as in air travel.
By contrast, medications and rental cars got less expensive.
READ MORE: Why is Switzerland so expensive?
Swiss franc climbs against the euro
An euro currently costs 1.08 francs.
However, the strength of the Swiss franc is controversial within the business and corporate world. For the Swiss National Bank (SNB), the Swiss franc is no longer “massively” overvalued, but is still “highly” valued, according to the current assessment.
That is the reason why the SNB has deliberately weakened the franc in recent years and was careful not to appreciate it too much within a short period of time.
That’s because a strong franc hurts Switzerland’s economy, which relies heavily on exports — particularly pharmaceuticals, machinery, instruments, and watches. Over 40 percent of the country’s production is sent to its main trading partners in the European Union.
But when the franc rises, it makes Swiss products less competitive — that is, too expensive — in eurozone markets.
No Covid certificate required for Swiss MPs
Members of the National Council and Council of States will be able to access the parliament building for the autumn sessions starting on September 13th without a Covid certificate, even if the immunity pass becomes obligatory by then.
The parliamentary services department justified this decision by saying that "a certificate access at political assemblies of the legislature is inadmissible, since the constitutional rights and obligations of council members and magistrates would be restricted too much".
However, the administrative delegation continues to recommend that unvaccinated council members and session participants have themselves tested regularly.
As before, Covid-19 tests will be offered in the parliament building.
READ MORE: When will Switzerland decide whether to enforce the Covid certificate in restaurants?
Switzerland highlights its fish problem
There is apparently a problem in Switzerland — apart from the Covid pandemic — that has mobilised the government into action: the incorrect treatment of aquarium fish kept in private households.
Together with Swiss animal welfare organisation and fish protection associations, the Federal Food Safety and Veterinary Office (BLV) has launched a campaign to raise awareness of Switzerland’s population about the right way to keep and treat the fish.
“Aquarium fish are sensitive, socially intelligent creatures capable of learning. Keeping them while respecting their needs is not easy: it is therefore necessary to have in-depth knowledge of the specific needs of the species, the quality of the water, the dimensions and the arrangement of the aquarium, the feeding and the socialization”, BLV said in a press release, urging aquarium owners to learn about the proper upkeep of their fish.
#Aquarienfische sind attraktiv und verführen zu Spontankäufen. Sie artgerecht zu halten braucht viel Wissen: Der Entscheid für dieses schöne Hobby muss gut überlegt sein, sagt Kaspar Jörger, Abteilungsleiter Tierschutz des BLV.https://t.co/TpQbaX7tufhttps://t.co/1BWkfUQ6Bi
— BLV - OSAV - USAV (@BLV_OSAV_USAV) September 2, 2021
Residents asked to choose the form of the future electronic identity (e-ID)
From now until October 14th, Switzerland's population has an opportunity to select their digital identification from among three possibilities offered by the government.
The first solution consists of "self-managed identity”, where the user has all the control, and data protection is ensured.
The second is based on a public key infrastructure. The system is already used by the government to secure passport data equipped with a chip. The data is decentralised, but must be transmitted in its entirety. In addition to the government, private companies from a controlled group could also issue the e-ID.
The last possibility involves a state-owned identity provider. Instead of several identity providers, public or private, only the government would be in charge.
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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No surprise here: Switzerland got a bit more expensive
Swiss prices rose slightly in August, according to new data published by the Federal Statistical Office (FSO).
Figures indicate an increase of 0.2 percent compared to July, and of 0.9 percent over the past 12.months.
Prices went up in particular in rents, housing costs in general, as well as in air travel.
By contrast, medications and rental cars got less expensive.
READ MORE: Why is Switzerland so expensive?
Swiss franc climbs against the euro
An euro currently costs 1.08 francs.
However, the strength of the Swiss franc is controversial within the business and corporate world. For the Swiss National Bank (SNB), the Swiss franc is no longer “massively” overvalued, but is still “highly” valued, according to the current assessment.
That is the reason why the SNB has deliberately weakened the franc in recent years and was careful not to appreciate it too much within a short period of time.
That’s because a strong franc hurts Switzerland’s economy, which relies heavily on exports — particularly pharmaceuticals, machinery, instruments, and watches. Over 40 percent of the country’s production is sent to its main trading partners in the European Union.
But when the franc rises, it makes Swiss products less competitive — that is, too expensive — in eurozone markets.
No Covid certificate required for Swiss MPs
Members of the National Council and Council of States will be able to access the parliament building for the autumn sessions starting on September 13th without a Covid certificate, even if the immunity pass becomes obligatory by then.
The parliamentary services department justified this decision by saying that "a certificate access at political assemblies of the legislature is inadmissible, since the constitutional rights and obligations of council members and magistrates would be restricted too much".
However, the administrative delegation continues to recommend that unvaccinated council members and session participants have themselves tested regularly.
As before, Covid-19 tests will be offered in the parliament building.
READ MORE: When will Switzerland decide whether to enforce the Covid certificate in restaurants?
Switzerland highlights its fish problem
There is apparently a problem in Switzerland — apart from the Covid pandemic — that has mobilised the government into action: the incorrect treatment of aquarium fish kept in private households.
Together with Swiss animal welfare organisation and fish protection associations, the Federal Food Safety and Veterinary Office (BLV) has launched a campaign to raise awareness of Switzerland’s population about the right way to keep and treat the fish.
“Aquarium fish are sensitive, socially intelligent creatures capable of learning. Keeping them while respecting their needs is not easy: it is therefore necessary to have in-depth knowledge of the specific needs of the species, the quality of the water, the dimensions and the arrangement of the aquarium, the feeding and the socialization”, BLV said in a press release, urging aquarium owners to learn about the proper upkeep of their fish.
#Aquarienfische sind attraktiv und verführen zu Spontankäufen. Sie artgerecht zu halten braucht viel Wissen: Der Entscheid für dieses schöne Hobby muss gut überlegt sein, sagt Kaspar Jörger, Abteilungsleiter Tierschutz des BLV.https://t.co/TpQbaX7tufhttps://t.co/1BWkfUQ6Bi
— BLV - OSAV - USAV (@BLV_OSAV_USAV) September 2, 2021
Residents asked to choose the form of the future electronic identity (e-ID)
From now until October 14th, Switzerland's population has an opportunity to select their digital identification from among three possibilities offered by the government.
The first solution consists of "self-managed identity”, where the user has all the control, and data protection is ensured.
The second is based on a public key infrastructure. The system is already used by the government to secure passport data equipped with a chip. The data is decentralised, but must be transmitted in its entirety. In addition to the government, private companies from a controlled group could also issue the e-ID.
The last possibility involves a state-owned identity provider. Instead of several identity providers, public or private, only the government would be in charge.
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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