Swiss parliamentary session sets stage for noisy national debates

The summer session of parliament drew to a close last week. What's clear is that political debate in Switzerland is picking up again. Parliamentarians focused on number of key people’s initiatives that Swiss voters will decide upon soon. It hasn't been this quiet in Switzerland for ages. The last federal election was almost two years ago, and the only nationwide vote since then – which had a predictable outcome – was emblematic of the country’s political slumber. In February, the “environmental responsibility initiative” was soundly defeated and had low voter turnout – just 38%. Since then, in a country known for its frequent voting habits, things have been about as exciting as the passing of seasons. It looks set to stay that way until late summer, when voters will decide on the introduction of electronic ID (e-ID). While things remain calm at home, outside Switzerland, the world is in turmoil. US President Donald Trump is turning the world order on its head, the Middle East is ...