The new Swiss president met her counterpart, Alexander Van der Bellen, in Vienna on Friday. Talks centred on relations between the two countries, European policy and bilateral relations with the European Union.
Discussions also focused on the security situation in Europe and the role of the Organization for Security and Co-operation in Europe (OSCE), which Switzerland will chair in 2026.
Keller Sutter, who is also Swiss finance minister, reaffirmed the importance of the OSCE, whose role is to enable exchanges between numerous countries aimed at better overcoming conflicts, she said.
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How Karin Keller-Sutter became too big to fail
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The incoming Swiss president, known internationally for her role in the last-ditch rescue of Credit Suisse, has a reputation as a hardliner. The reality is more nuanced.
As Donald Trump prepares to take office as the new US president next week, the Swiss president called for open and constructive discussions to continue to ensure a fruitful exchange.
Far-right parties in Europe
Swiss political scientist Oscar Mazzoleni told the Keystone-SDA news agency that the new US administration’s protectionist stance and the growing importance of far-right parties in Europe are opening up a new phase in the EU’s history.
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New Year’s speech: President Keller-Sutter praises Swiss modesty
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The Swiss president for 2025, Karin Keller-Sutter, has underlined the importance of compromise and modesty in Swiss politics in her New Year’s address to the nation.
This is putting pressure on the Schengen Agreement, internal border controls and, more broadly, the weight of national governments, he noted. This also casts doubt on the bilateral agreements under discussion with Switzerland, said Mazzoleni.
Austria’s president also outlined the latest developments in domestic politics and the process of forming a government. The leader of the far-right FPÖ party, Herbert Kickl, is negotiating with the conservatives to form a government.
Against the backdrop of the rise of far-right parties, Mazzoleni also spoke of Switzerland’s encirclement by countries where far-right political groups have the wind in their sails.
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What lies ahead: the Swiss political landscape in 2025
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The relations between Switzerland and the EU will be the biggest political issue of the coming year. This is a also key issue for the Swiss Abroad.
He pointed out that “the growing international circulation of extreme right-wing ideas and political styles can undoubtedly have an impact on parties and movements in Switzerland”. In this context, the media have a role to play.
He cited in particular the shift of the NZZ newspaper, traditionally linked to moderate liberalism, to the right.
“The praise for Trump, [Argentinian President Javier] Milei and [tech entrepreneur Elon] Musk to be found on the pages of this daily may help to reinforce the opportunities that the Swiss People’s Party or other parties may seize in the near future,” said Mazzoleni.
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Swiss Post CEO to step down
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The boss of Swiss Post, Roberto Cirillo, is stepping down at the end of March after six years in the job, the company announced on Friday.
The name and logo of the former Credit Suisse headquarters at Paradeplatz 8 in Zurich’s financial centre were officially replaced by those of UBS on Friday.
Outgoing Swiss federal police chief warns of insufficient resources
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The outgoing director of the Federal Office of Police (Fedpol), Nicoletta della Valle, has warned that officers, prosecutors and investigators in Switzerland have insufficient resources to do their work.
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The federal technology institute ETH Zurich has inaugurated Europe’s most powerful geotechnical centrifuge. Researchers use the instrument to simulate the effects of natural hazards.
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Swiss films did well in cinemas in 2024, recording over 907,000 admissions, the Federal Statistical Office (FSO) reports. They accounted for almost 9% of all films shown last year in Switzerland.
Glencore and Rio Tinto held talks on mining’s biggest-ever potential merger, say reports
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The Swiss-based mining and commodities group Glencore and the British company Rio Tinto reportedly held early-stage talks last year about combining their businesses.
First municipalities begin Swiss-wide plastic packaging recycling scheme
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A new collection system to recycle plastic packaging and drinks cartons has begun in a handful of Swiss municipalities – others should follow in the coming weeks.
Despite an ongoing restructuring programme, Swiss retail giant Migros continued to grow last year by 1.6%, posting record sales of CHF32.5 billion ($35.7 billion).
Swiss researchers warn ‘mega-droughts’ are spreading around the world
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“Mega-droughts” are increasing worldwide – becoming more frequent, hotter and more widespread over the past 40 years, a study published on Thursday shows.
WHO appeals for $1.5 billion to tackle global health crises
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The World Health Organization (WHO) is calling for $1.5 billion (CHF1.4 billion) this year to tackle dozens of health crises around the world and “unprecedented” situations.
