David Grichting came to Berne via Kazakhstan. As Switzerland’s ambassador to the country, he immersed himself in local cultural activities such as the Nauryz Spring Festival seen here. Photo: Lisa Wermelinger Federal elections 2023 The general elections to both chambers of the federal parliament take place on 22 October 2023. For information, explanatory videos, and interactive charts about the elections to the National Council and the Council of States, visit www.ch.ch/wahlen2023 – a service brought to you by the Federal Chancellery, the Parliamentary Services, the Federal Statistical Office and the cantons. This website will also publish the election results on 22 October 2023. This information, including the election results, will also appear on the Federal Chancellery app Voteinfo. To download the app, visit revue.link/voteinfo. Federal votes Due to the elections, there are no further voting dates in 2023. The next voting date is 3 March 2024. The Federal Council determines voting proposals at least four months before the voting date. Everything you need to know about these voting proposals (voting pamphlets, committees, recommendations by parliament and the Federal Council, etc.) is available at www.admin.ch/votes or via the Federal Chancellery’s VoteInfo app. Popular initiatives The following federal popular initiatives have already been launched at the time of going to press (deadline for the collection of signatures in brackets): ■ Federal Popular Initiative ‘Anyone wanting to pay in cash should be able to do so!’ (21.09.2024) ■ Federal Popular Initiative ‘Yes to the secure supply of medical products’ (04.10.2024) ■ Federal Popular Initiative ‘For the equality of people with disabilities (Inclusion Initiative)’ (25.10.2024) ■ Federal Popular Initiative ‘To protect humans, domestic animals and livestock from wolves.’ (02.11.2024) ■ Federal Popular Initiative ‘Yes to a future without animal testing’ (09.11.2024) ■ Federal Popular Initiative ‘Confirmation of Federal Council members by the people and the cantons’ (16.11.2024) ■ Federal Popular Initiative ‘For a modern right to citizenship (Democracy Initiative)’ (23.11.2024) The list of pending popular initiatives is available in German at www.bk.admin.ch > Politische Rechte > Volksinitiativen > Hängige Volksinitiativen aspect of its activities is working with other offices and partners to generate synergies and maximise its impact. He also points out that “the principles of individual responsibility and of the subsidiarity of state action form the cornerstones of consular activities”. As such, the Consular Directorate must provide the Swiss Abroad with services and information that meet their needs and develop modern instruments aimed at facilitating relations. Personal dialogue is essential in order to better understand expats’ needs and expectations. David Grichting: “I shall make it a point of honour to listen to and engage with our compatriots through our representations abroad or during my travels around the world. I look forward to accompanying and supporting our communities abroad, and first and foremost to meeting my expat compatriots. By transporting kindness and our values to the places they now live, the Swiss Abroad are both a calling card and a key intermediary for Switzerland.” FDFA, CONSULAR DIRECTORATE Swiss Review / August 2023 / No.4 Notes from the Federal Palace 33
RkJQdWJsaXNoZXIy MjYwNzMx