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UBS – state guarantee encourages risk-taking and speculation

New statutory guarantees planned by the federal government

by Rudolf Strahm*

(7 March 2025) (CH-S) In the spring session (3–21 March 2025), new legislation is to be introduced to regulate state aid for large, systemically important banks. Since 2008, there has been no effective legal regulation in place to protect taxpayers from the enormous financial consequences of a bank collapse. There is still no talk of a clear separation between speculative and business activities.

In a guest article, former federal price supervisor and former SP National Councillor Rudolf Strahm explains the problems with the current legislative proposal. What measures are planned, and how should the new statutory liquidity guarantee of the federal government work with the so-called “Public Liquidity Backstop” (PLB)?

Change of heart in Bern?

The Federal Council welcomes the US government’s peace efforts in Ukraine. Is this the start of a U-turn in Swiss foreign policy?

by Michael Straumann*

(7 March 2025) US Vice President J.D. Vance’s speech at the Munich Security Conference caused a stir. He sharply criticised politicians in EU countries for no longer respecting the democratic will of their own people and restricting freedom of expression. Vance received widespread support for this in social media. By contrast, the politicians of the old parties in Europe, especially in Germany, were not impressed.
Colour revolutions

The West is playing with fire in Serbia again

The role of Western “NGOs” is revealed

by Thomas Röper*

(7 March 2025) (CH-S) The extent of destabilisation attempts by Western so-called NGOs in Serbia is alarming. Thomas Röper has researched it in the following article. However, it is only one example of many how Western foundations as well as state and non-governmental organisations try to push through their political ideas contrary to democratic procedures in other states. The fact that Switzerland is also involved in such projects in Serbia in the orbit of USAID and the EU is now coming to light.**

“For a neutral Germany”

Press release from the Cologne-based working group «AG Frieden dieBasis Köln» on the campaign it initiated

(28 February 2025) (CH-S) In Germany, too, more and more people are realising that a consistently neutral policy would protect the population from being drawn into the wars of foreign powers. The spectre of a war against Russia, which is being conjured up by European and Swiss media and Russophobic politicians, would see Germany as a battleground.

Against the reckless risk-taking of a next pandemic

We must not accept the risks of gain-of-function research

by Roland Wiesendanger,* Germany

(28 February 2025) (CH-S) Roland Wiesendanger is a professor of physics at the University of Hamburg and a member of numerous national and international science academies, including the “Leopoldina” and “acatech”. In the following article, he suggests – as he did four years ago – a public debate on the so-called “gain-of-function” research. Switzerland must not shirk this debate either.

Digital, self-directed learning in primary schools must be stopped!

by Daniel Wahl,* Switzerland

(28 February 2025) Countries that have pushed ahead with the digitalisation of schools are backpedalling. But not Switzerland, despite worrying indicators regarding the mental health of our children.