The anti-immigration initiative would be ‘disastrous’ for Swiss universities; Zurich finds a way to relieve its housing shortage; and more news in our Monday roundup.
Anti-immigration initiative would be ‘disastrous’ for Swiss universities
Yet another voice against the Swiss People’s Party’s (SVP) ‘No to 10 million’ initiative is added to a large chorus of opponents.
Luciana Vaccaro, president of the umbrella group “Swissuniversities” umbrella group for higher education, said that accepting this measure in a referendum on June 14th would have a ‘‘disastrous’ effect on Switzerland’s institutions of higher education
That’s because “about half of the professors at our universities are foreign nationals,” she said.
Furthermore, Vaccaro pointed out that Swiss universities are among the best in the world because they attract top researchers from abroad and establish international partnerships.
Therefore, “this radical measure would cause enormous damage not only to the Swiss economy, but also to science,” she said.
READ MORE: Who is leading the fight in Switzerland against the anti-immigration proposal?
Zurich finds a way to relieve its housing shortage
The Zurich municipal council presented its new building and zoning regulations (BZO), which define where and how construction will be permitted in the city.
The goal is to create more living space, as the city anticipates up to 40,000 new residents by 2050.
Authorities are planning to focus construction on areas where space is still available – that is, districts of Albisrieden, Altstetten, Oerlikon, Affoltern, Seebach, Schwamendingen, as well as Leimbach and Witikon.
Depending on the area, buildings will be permitted to grow by 15 percent in Albisrieden and up to 95 percent around the Letzigrund Stadium.
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Geneva MPs vote to ban burkinis at public swimming pools
Geneva’s parliament has passed legislation banning burkinis in public swimming pools.
The new law does not target this garment exclusively, but it stipulates that “the only swimwear permitted in pools are one-piece or two-piece swimsuits with a maximum length above the knees and leaving the arms bare.”
It therefore effectively excludes burkinis – full-body swimsuits sworn by some Muslim women.
It is not yet known when this measure will go into effect.
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SBB is expanding its seat reservation service
Since the end of 2025, Swiss Federal Railways have allowed passengers to reserve their seats in advance on some Zurich-Lugano and Basel-Lugano lines.
Now, this service is expanded to almost all long-distance lines against a 5-franc fee.
The following trains are included: Intercity FV Dosto, IC2000, ICN, as well as the IV and Astoro unified carriages.
Passengers can therefore take advantage of the new service on journeys to Geneva, Lausanne, Bern, St. Gallen, and Chur.
Reservations can be made via the SBB app or on the SBB website.
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