Switzerland is a federal democratic republic with 26 autonomous cantons.
Main Political Issues
Hard drugs
Public anxiety has been growing over the rise in drug-related crime; Zⁿrich, where most addicts and dealers congregate, has one of the biggest open drug scenes in Europe. The federal government decided to act in 1994, after the marginal right-wing SVP gained seats on Zⁿrich's council. To the dismay of civil rights activists, tough new measures limiting the rights of asylum seekers were introduced. The aim was to make it harder for drug dealers from the former Yugoslavia to do business in Switzerland.
European integration
Almost all of the country's prominent politicians and business leaders favor joining the EU, but voters remain sharply divided. The Swiss are strongly attached to their decentralized style of government and fear that this would be lost within the EU. There are also fears that in a barrier-free Europe, Switzerland's high standards of living would fall because of a large influx of immigrants.
Profile
The same four-party coalition has been in power in Switzerland since 1959. This explains the consistency of Switzerland's domestic and foreign policies and the slow rate of political change. Politics have recently become more contentious, however, with voting patterns becoming more polarized. Divisive issues are those concerning drugs and membership in the EU. Both right-wing and green minority parties have recently gained more seats in parliament.
Switzerland's political system is unique in Europe. Important decisions are all made on the results of referenda. A petition of more than 100,000 signatures can also force a referendum on any issue.
