Russia urges Swiss voters to approve a bid for stronger neutrality, and why Swiss retirees are receiving lower pensions — these are among the stories that The Local reported this week. You can catch up on on everything in this weekly roundup.
Moscow urges Swiss voters to approve a bid for stronger neutrality
On September 27th, the Swiss will cast their votes on a hard-right proposal to strengthen the country’s neutrality.
The Russian Foreign Ministry is also openly campaigning for a ‘yes’ vote
In a lengthy Telegram post, Maria Zakharova, the spokesperson for the Russian Foreign Ministry, wrote that this step is important (at least for Moscow), because it would forbid Bern to impose sanctions on other nations – including on Russia.
READ MORE: Why is Russia in favour of maintaining Swiss neutrality?
Swiss retirees are receiving lower pensions – because they live longer
Swiss residents are living longer than ever before, impacting the amount of pension money they receive in old age.
A new analysis reveals that, due to longer life spans, pensions in Switzerland have fallen by 16.4 percent in the last 20 years, or by 12,260 francs.
There is still the same amount of money in pension funds, but because retirees are living longer, the money has to be ‘rationed’ so as not to run out while the recipients are still alive.
READ MORE: How the Swiss population’s longevity affects pensions
Zurich property owner seeks foreign tenants
Despite Zurich’s housing shortage and fierce competition for available flats, one landlord is bucking the general trend of giving preferential treatment to Swiss citizens.
In the ad for his 70 m/2 apartment, landlord Enrico Zingg emphasised that he prefers to rent it to foreigners because they continue to face disadvantages in the Swiss housing market.
This is my contribution to universal justice,” he said.
READ MORE: Zurich landlord seeks foreigners for apartment
Is the Swiss heatwave finally on the way out?
The answer to this question, according to the MeteoSwiss weather service, is that the heatwave will indeed subside this month, but it will happen slowly and gradually rather than abruptly from one day to another.
Most of August will, however, remain hot with alternating periods of sunshine and localised thunderstorms.
The good news is that temperatures this month are not expected to exceed 30C, as was the case in much of June and July.
READ MORE: Will the Swiss heatwave finally end in August?
Cows in Switzerland are infected by a mystery ailment
A virus never before seen in Switzerland is thought to be responsible for a surge in sickness in Swiss dairy cows.
Several Swiss regions have recorded a spike in illnesses since mid-July, with cows suffering from fever and diarrhoea and producing less milk, the Federal Food Safety and Veterinary Office (FSVO) said.
The Institute of Virology and Immunology is investigating the origin of the virus, and whether recent heatwaves played a role in it.
READ MORE: Swiss cows struck by mystery illness
Hiking trails suffer from excessive heat too
This summer’s record-breaking temperatures have had a significant impact on many aspects of Swiss life – including its famous hiking trails.
But according to Jerun Vils from the Bernerwanderwege hiking association, “rising temperatures are transforming hiking, especially in lowland areas.”
Some of the dangers include phenomena such as ‘ground radiation,’ where very dry soil intensifies the heat. Dry conditions also increase environmental hazards like falling rocks, as well as fires on paths crossing forests or other vegetation.
READ MORE: How heatwaves threaten Switzerland’s hiking trails
