Biel (Bienne, in French) is best-known for being the capital of Swiss watchmaking and for being the biggest bilingual town in the country.
Switzerland articles on Democracy Chronicles
News about the struggle for democracy in Switzerland. Surrounded on all sides by the European Union, the federal Swiss model of democracy is highly regarded as one of the best models of democracy in the world. Officially known as the Swiss Confederation, the government is a representative democracy with strong tools of direct democracy built in. A pure form of direct democracy exists in two Swiss cantons, the equivalent of American states. Also check out our section on World Democracy.
Casting Doubt on Swiss Reverence of Direct Democracy
The symbolic value of citizen participation in decision-making should not be underestimated, the actual importance of direct democracy in Switzerland.
Cash Reward: Hackers Wanted For Swiss E-Voting System
Registration is open for those who want to help reveal cracks in Switzerland’s future e-voting system and maybe earn cash bounty. Critics say test is farce.
Swiss Democracy is Leaving Minorities and Women Under-Represented
Democracy bases its legitimacy on the promise to adequately and appropriately represent the population. Switzerland’s system reveals some shortcomings.
Son of Equatorial Guinea’s Dictator Wins Back His $100-million Superyacht
Son and V.P. of president of Equatorial Guinea, Teodorin Nguema Obiang, kept a US$100-million superyacht in Netherlands and 25 exotic cars in Switzerland.
Swiss Government Looking Into Online Manipulation Ahead of Vote
Several government ministries in Switzerland are investigating whether online manipulation could affect upcoming elections, says a newspaper report.
How the Swiss Militia System Underpins its Direct Democracy
Politics as a part-time job: That’s the idea of the militia system. Thousands of Swiss officials have a normal occupation and do politics on the side.
Campaign Seeks 5 Year Ban on E-Voting in Switzerland
A committee of politicians and computer experts is launching a people’s initiative aimed at banning online voting for at least five years.
More Swiss Cantons Joining After First Blockchain Vote Success
Swiss authorities in the canton of Zug “announced that the Alpine nation’s first local blockchain-based test vote had been successfully completed.”
Europe’s Populist-Leaning Voters Really Just Want Direct Democracy
Populist parties are on the rise in most European countries. But the citizens that back them also support more direct democracy. Do they deliver it?