News from Breisach, Kaiserstuhl, Tuniberg, Freiburg and Alsace – with a view of international developments.
After finishing second in the first round, Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva wins the runoff with 51.79% of valid votes. Flávio Bolsonaro receives 48.21% and, according to AP, calls for the result to be annulled.
The Student List is well ahead in Serbia’s snap parliamentary election. The official partial count gives it 52.33% of votes; a projection assigns it 141 of 250 seats. The final result is still pending.
Russia’s war against Ukraine tests international law, European security and global economic ties. The stakes reach far beyond the battlefield, while Kyiv remains a country with agency and limits.
With its new security decree, the Meloni government is responding to violent unrest. Italy’s approach raises a fundamental question for Europe: how can public order be restored without endangering the freedoms the state is meant to protect?
From Ukraine and NATO to sanctions on Moscow: how the US president’s decisions affect Russia’s strategic position.
From unrest in France to articles in Die Weltwoche: how Russia exploits the weaknesses of European democracies—and why Switzerland has long been part of this conflict.
The movement began in suburbs shaped by immigration and grew into a nationwide protest wave. That does not prove most suspects are Muslim. France must still debate openly the failures of integration and immigration policy.
The Left, Greens and SPD want to extend voting rights after five years of residence. The proposal would bypass citizenship as a condition for political participation and could open new avenues of influence for radical forces.
An analysis of the gap between political solidarity and the speed of aid to Ukraine, focusing on weapons, energy policy and immobilised Russian assets.
France’s unrest on 17 October, Russia’s hybrid influence operations and Switzerland’s new security strategy show how democracies must protect protest, contain violence and build resilience themselves.
Representatives of both countries discussed trade, finance, security and artificial intelligence on 16 October. The statement lists topics but announces no new agreement or decision.
Hundreds of thousands protested on October 17 over living costs and poor school conditions. Fires, looting and about 400 arrests marked the day, but they do not describe every march or protester.
Ukraine shows how wide the gap can be between international security assurances and real protection. An analysis of the Budapest Memorandum, the UN and lessons for Switzerland.
The Federal Chancellery has examined the signatures, which means a referendum on the approval of the EFTA Economic Agreement.
The analysis of market data shows, however, that deescalation in the Gulf, safe sea routes and reliable supply flows are crucial.
Who would benefit from a possible Lukoil business: the American public or, above all, investors with links to the environment of the under-traders? The conflict of interests requires clarification; personal enrichment is not verified.
Ukrainian units report terminations and cancelled drone missions. The service was partially restored; who led the restrictions remains unclear.
Guy Parmelin, Karin Keller-Sutter and Martin Schlegel represent Switzerland from 15 to 17 October.
Friedrich Merz combines military, humanitarian and diplomatic aid, which protects Ukraine and Europe's peace order.
After new attacks on residential buildings and energy facilities, Ukraine must continue to be supported, with a view to civilian victims as well as the people who die on the front.
From 14 to 16 October, the peace process in the South Caucasus, the consequences of the Georgian conflict and bilateral relations are on the agenda.
State Secretary Markus Mäder and Divisionary Daniel Keller represent Switzerland at the Warsaw Security Forum.
METAS Director Philippe Richard leads the Swiss delegation to the conference from 13 to 15 October.
From 12 to 15 October, representatives from politics, international organisations, civil society and science meet in Geneva.