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Federal referendum on 8 March 2026

“Swiss Broadcasting Corporation (SBC) Initiative”

Switzerland to decide on a reduction in broadcasting fees

by Michael Straumann*

(13 February 2026) (CH-S) A popular initiative aims to significantly reduce the compulsory contributions to the “Swiss Broadcasting Corporation” (SBC). Every Swiss household must pay these fees, regardless of whether they use its services or not. The SBC is known for its political bias. Could a significant reduction in contributions motivate those responsible to strike a better balance in political and cultural issues?

In the following article, Michael Straumann examines the arguments put forward by the SBC phalanx.
Federal referendum on 8 March 2026

Freedom, property, protection from control

Why cash is relevant today and indispensable

by Ewald Kornmann*

(13 February 2026) (CH-S) On 8 March 2026, Swiss voters will vote on four proposals. The first proposal consists of the popular initiative “Yes to an independent, free Swiss currency with coins or banknotes (cash is freedom)” and a direct counterproposal (Federal resolution on the Swiss currency and cash supply) as an alternative.

The US keeps openly admitting it deliberately caused the Iran protests

Trump administration's policy violates international law

by Caitlin Johnstone,* Australia

(13 February 2026) Speaking before the Senate Banking Committee on Thursday, US Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent explicitly stated that the US deliberately caused a financial crisis in Iran with the goal of fomenting civil unrest in the country.
Hungary

Additional funding for Ukraine only possible through tax increases and austerity measures

from “Hungary today”

(6 February 2026) (CH-S) The EU Commission is acting dictatorially. It wants to incur debts for the war in Ukraine, which current and future generations of EU member states will have to pay off. Hungary is even receiving instructions from the EU Commission on which social benefits to cut and where further savings should be made. This report on the news portal “Hungary today” is documented by “Swiss Standpoint”.

The US-Israel hybrid war against Iran

Jeffrey D. Sachs* & Sybil Fares**

(6 February 2026) The question is not if the US and Israel will attack Iran, but when. In the nuclear age, the US refrains from all-out war, since it can easily lead to nuclear escalation. Instead, the US and Israel are waging war against Iran through a combination of crushing economic sanctions,1 targeted military strikes, cyberwarfare, stoking unrest, and unrelenting misinformation campaigns. This combination strategy is called “hybrid warfare.”

Greece

“Exodos” – Panhellenic movement against digital totalitarianism

(6 February 2026) (CH-S) A movement against “digital totalitarianism” has formed in Greece. “Exodos” opposes mandatory digital identity with the aim of preserving human dignity. The founding declaration, which is also available in English, warns of the danger that digitalisation will not only destroy fundamental democratic rights, but also undermine the substance of human coexistence.