Geneva, Switzerland (GenevaLunch) – The Tribune de Geneve 14 January carries a report on a motion filed by a group of centre-right politicians for the canton to adopt a contract with foreign residents.One part of the contract would call for foreigners to learn French.
Six German-speaking cantons, including Zurich, have been using similar contracts on a trial basis to encourage better integration of foreigners.
The Geneva newspaper cites Rolin Wavre, secretary-general of the Radical Party as saying that “members of international Geneva”, which generally refers to people working in international organizations, would not be affected: the move is aimed at foreigners who are either new to the canton or long-time residents who have never learned French.
Didier Burkhalter, Neuchatel, new Swiss cabinet member
Bern, Switzerland (GenevaLunch) - Didier Burkhalter, 49, a Radical party (centre-right) politician from Neuchatel, was elected by the Swiss parliament to the country’s seven-member Federal Council (cabinet) with 129 votes against 106 for the other candidate, Urs Schwaller, PDC (also centre), on the fourth round of voting. He succeeds Pascal Couchepin, from canton Valais, who is retiring 1 November. Burkhalter’s election means his party will retain its seat on the council and the balance remains unchanged in the power-sharing Swiss government. The language balance remains intact as well, with one French-speaking canton representative replaced by another.
Details: Swissinfo and on radio, WRS. Swiss French media: Le Temps, Tribune de Geneve/24 Heures, TSR
Background story, GenevaLunch
