Hard-right continues its efforts to stem immigration, and an app created by Italian immigrant helps with Swiss naturalisation questions — these are among the news that The Local reported this week. You can catch up on on everything in this weekly roundup.
Hard-right continues its efforts to stem immigration
Having failed to obtain a widespread support for its population capping initiative in a referendum in June, the populist Swiss People’s Party (SVP) is scaling down its campaign, shifting it from the national to the cantonal and municipal levels.
At the end of August, an SVP deputy Franz Grüter will convene the cantonal sections of the party to discuss ways of limiting growth on their territories..
“We want to see if there are instruments at the cantonal and municipal levels to curb immigration,” he said.
READ MORE: Switzerland’s populists up efforts to limit immigration after vote defeat
An app created by Italian immigrant lists naturalisation questions
Italian immigrant Vincenzo Casini used his own experience of becoming a Swiss citizen to create the aptly named ‘Swiss Naturalisation Test’ application, which includes 330 questions based on each canton’s official list of questions.
Casini, an AI professional, has used his skills to transform the usually ‘blah’ naturalisation exam into a fun, illustrated experience.
The app doesn’t offer alternative questions or additional training materials; instead, its novelty lies in its more user-friendly, games-based interface.
READ MORE: New app helps applicants prepare for Swiss citizenship exam
Are there risks in visiting Switzerland when drought and fire warnings are in effect?
A huge swathe of the country is under a more or less severe alert of forest fires, but these areas are still safe to visit – provided, of course, that you follow the official regulations and don’t take any actions that could worsen the situation.
The rules include compliance with local fire and other advisories as well as proper behaviour, adapted to the danger level declared for a given region.
READ MORE: Are there parts of Switzerland to avoid this summer?
New survey reveals how foreign residents feel about Switzerland
The study in question, “Expat Insider 2026” by InterNations, ranked Switzerland relatively low – in 22nd place out of 31 countries surveyed.
The country ranks near the bottom in the ‘Housing’ category – 27th place – followed by the ‘Ease of Settling in’ (26th), and ‘Personal Finance’ (25th).
On the other hand, Switzerland ranks relatively high (8th place) in the ‘Quality of Life’ category, and particularly in terms of its environment, where it sits in top position, followed by 2nd place for air quality, and 3rd for urban environment.
READ MORE: What do foreigners like and dislike about living in Switzerland in 2026?
Politicians are softening their anti-air conditioning stance
Given the repeated heatwaves so far this summer, as well as the general trend towards hotter summers, a number of elected officials in Switzerland are now speaking in favour of more. lenient rules for obtaining AC units.
Though they want hospitals, schools, retirement homes, as well as other public buildings to have priority over private dwellings, the growing focus now is – according to one Geneva official – on not “demonising” air conditioning, as it “meets a legitimate need for those who suffer greatly from the heat.”
READ MORE: Swiss lawmakers warm up to easing of air conditioning rules
Swiss Army mulls re-activating its disused bunkers
Faced with the deteriorating security situation in Europe, the Swiss army is examining the possibility of re-deploying its former military bunkers.
This move is motivated by the Federal Defence Department’s need for protection, resilience, and secure storage .
A study will determine how underground military installations could be reactivated in a manner adapted to current needs and available resources.
the primary objective is to find secure storage spaces for supplies, spare parts, medicines, electronic equipment, hazardous materials, and ammunition.
READ MORE: Switzerland considers reopening its old military bunkers
