More dual nationals could be stripped of Swiss citizenship; MPs want to penalise employers who snub Swiss candidates; plus other news in our roundup this Friday.
More dual nationals could be stripped of Swiss citizenship
Deputies have backed a measure to toughen rules affecting certain dual nationals. The proposal goes beyond just those convicted of terrorist acts.
In the past, dual nationals convicted of very serious crimes or terrorism-related offences lost their Swiss citizenship and have been deported.
Now another category of bi-nationals is targeted as well: those deemed to be potential terrorists without actually having committed any crimes.
READ MORE: Under what circumstances could you lose your Swiss citizenship?
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MPs want to penalise employers who snub Swiss candidates
The Council of States has adopted a motion on Thursday to sanction companies which refuse to hire qualified Swiss candidates.
Deputies said that local applicants must be prioritised over individuals from non-EU/EFTA states.
Employers could face sanctions if they refuse to hire a person deemed suitable by the Regional Employment Centre (ORP), offering the job instead to applicants “not considered part of the Swiss labour market.”
Aside from fines, companies found violating this rule would be excluded from the allocation of work permit quotas for workers from non-EU/EFTA states.
Legislators criticise the Federal Council for lack of action on this summer’s heatwave
The Environment and Energy Minister Albert Rösti took a lot of…heat during the parliamentary debate on Thursday about devastating effects of the summer’s heatwave.
Under fire was the Federal Council’s lack of preparedness for record-breaking temperatures and drought. MPs also demanded that Switzerland steps up its efforts to counteract climate crisis.
Rösti retorted that “the severity of the 2026 heatwave was unforeseeable,” and added that mitigating global warming is not just the federal government’s responsibility; cantons and municipalities have a role to play as well – for instance, in planning ventilation and other cooling measures in the construction of buildings.
The hot summer is spoiling autumn business for many Swiss retailers
Demand for autumn merchandise – particularly in clothing and footwear – remained weak throughout September due to the long, hot summer.
Consequently, the industry association Swiss Retail Federation is calling on cantons and municipalities to accommodate retailers by, among other measures, allowing extended opening hours.
The association is urging cantons to make full use of the maximum number of permitted Sunday shopping days. Furthermore, requests for additional evening or weekend opening hours should be approved without bureaucratic hurdles.
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