Simonetta Sommaruga
Sommaruga lauds 'bold' Swiss democracy
Swiss president for 2015, Simonetta Sommaruga, extolled Switzerland’s system of direct democracy in a TV and radio address to mark the new year.
Swiss report reveals hundreds of forced marriages
Around 1,400 women in Switzerland were the victims of forced marriages or unwanted family interference in their relationships with partners over the past two years, a new report reveals.
Thousands march at Zurich gay pride festival
<p>Some eight thousand demonstrators took to the streets of Zurich on Saturday for the Gay Pride march through the city.</p>
Referendum results: Nay, nay and thrice nay
<p>The national voting on Sunday resulted in a triple no to referendums on international treaties, managed care and extended shop opening times.</p>
Swiss hold referendum referendum
<p class="MsoNormal"><span lang="EN-GB">Switzerland holds a referendum this weekend on whether to have yet more referendums in a country already famous for its high levels of direct democracy.</span></p>
'Employ women instead of immigrants': minister
<p>Justice Minister Simonetta Sommaruga wants Swiss employers to take on more Swiss women rather than bringing in workers from abroad.</p>
International law stops Swiss expulsion plans
<p>The Swiss Minister of Justice has presented two proposals for the implementation of a controversial initiative to expel foreign criminals, both of which were rejected by the government.</p> <p> </p>
Let judges expel foreign criminals: Sommaruga
<p>Justice Minister Simonetta Sommargua has proposed tough amendments to the penal code in an effort to deter criminals.</p>
Swiss move closer to US crime data deal
<p>The National Council’s Foreign Affairs Committee has voted by 15 votes to eight to continue negotiating with the United States over the release of Swiss police data requested by the US as aprt of a clampdown on serious crime and terrorism.</p>
Anti-minaret group mulls burka ban initiative
The group responsible for launching Switzerland's anti-minaret initiative has called the rejection of a motion to ban burkas on public transport and in dealings with authorities “an affront”.