A new regional nature park

A setback for the Greens ahead of autumn’s national elections

Zurich voters elected a new parliament on 12 February 2023 – and their verdict is being seen as a barometer for the forthcoming elections to the National Council and the Council of States in autumn. This is because the Zurich vote very often reflects the national mood. The centre-right and right-wing parties have emerged from this year’s Zurich elections in a slightly stronger position. The SVP won an extra seat in the 180-seat cantonal parliament, consolidating its status as the strongest political party. The Centre party won three additional seats, while the FDP maintained the same number of seats. The Greens lost three, and the EVP and the Alternative Left lost one apiece. With the Green Liberals and the SP both gaining a seat however, the so-called “climate alliance” consisting of green and left-leaning parties and the EVP retained the parliamentary majority. The national elections take place on 22 October.

Questions over the composition of the Federal Council

The federal elections on 22 October are likely to reignite debate on the composition of the Federal Council, whose members represent a very stable bloc of the most popular political parties. This “magic formula” is not set in stone, with the Greens and Green Liberals now looking to participate in government due to their strong showing of recent years. A survey by the Sotomo research institute now shows that a clear majority of voters want the seven-strong Federal Council to have a different party-political composition. The SVP, FDP and SP each have two Federal Council seats and the Centre party one seat under the current formula.

Swiss munitions for Ukraine?

Switzerland does not export any weapons or ammunition to warring countries. It also prohibits other countries from passing on Swiss-manufactured war materiel. Germany would like to re-export Swiss-made munitions to Ukraine. So far, Switzerland has withheld its approval. However, the Security Policy Committee of the National Council now wants to loosen this blockade. In January, it suggested waiving the re-export ban, for example if weapons are to be sent to a conflict zone that the UN Security Council or two thirds of the UN General Assembly have condemned as violating international law.

PICTURE  Val Calanca will be home to Switzerland’s 17th regional nature park, after four Val Calanca municipalities approved the project. Regional nature parks are designed not only to protect flora and fauna but also to promote sustainable land use. Photo: Keystone