Significant events marked this week.
In the realm of politics, a contentious issue has arisen regarding the federal government's proposal to increase the Value-Added Tax (VAT). A recent Pension Survey revealed that two-thirds of respondents vehemently oppose this proposal. Deloitte, the consulting firm that conducted the survey, suggests expanding the AHV fund and investing the money on the capital market as an alternative solution.
Climate Change is another pressing concern for Switzerland. Researchers at the University of Bern and ETH Zurich have published a study in a renowned scientific journal, predicting that supercell thunderstorms will occur one and a half times more frequently on the northern side of the Alps with a temperature increase of three degrees. These storms, known for their destructive potential, were exemplified by the incident in July 2023 in La Chaux-de-Fonds. According to the researchers, supercell thunderstorms are among the most dangerous weather phenomena in Europe.
In other news, the city of Lausanne has been embroiled in a scandal involving racist and discriminatory messages shared among police officers over WhatsApp chat groups. The city administration conducted an investigation, leading to suspensions and criminal investigations. The city president, Grégoire Junod, acknowledged a problem of systemic discrimination that harms the trust relationship between the police and the population. He emphasised the importance of the police treating all people equally, and condemned any misuse of the uniform as a breach of trust.
On a positive note, the Volunteer Monitor 2025 by the Swiss Association for Social Work reveals that 86% of the Swiss population engages in some form of volunteer work, investing a total of 590 million hours annually. This equates to around 30 billion Swiss francs in value.
For those who prefer digital updates, the newsletter "That Was Really Important" is published every Friday, providing significant news of the past week. It is also available by email subscription. The Quote of the week is from Lausanne.
Unfortunately, the city of Lausanne has also experienced several nights of riots and skirmishes with police, triggered by the death of a 17-year-old who crashed his scooter while fleeing from police. The city has been grappling with the aftermath of these events.
Lastly, the funding and long-term security of the AHV (Swiss pension system) remains uncertain, despite the upcoming 13th AHV pension increase. Respondents in the Pension Survey indicated that they are open to working longer but oppose paying more now.
In a disturbing discovery, one of the messages from the racist and discriminatory chat groups saw a police officer posing in uniform next to a sign displaying the SS symbol and the swastika. This incident underscores the need for continued efforts to combat discrimination and uphold the principles of equality and justice.
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