Parties jockey for Federal Council seat as candidate list grows
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The field of candidates vying to replace Guy Parmelin on the Federal Council is widening, with Franz Ruppen and Céline Amaudruz entering a race that already includes Thomas Aeschi and Pierre-Alain Schnegg. While the newcomers offer contrasting regional profiles, the capital is preoccupied with the 'distribution battle'—the maneuvering that could see sitting councillors Beat Jans and Albert Rösti swap departments.
Swiss pensioners are preparing to receive their first 13th monthly pension payment this December. It is a windfall for the two and a half million recipients, though less so for the national pension system, which currently faces an annual deficit of 4 billion francs. Analysis suggests that even multi-billion franc contributions from the farming sector would not be enough to close the gap.
A 78-year-old Swiss national returning home after years abroad was detained upon arrival, an unexpected welcome for a woman who simply intended to visit her daughter. Elsewhere, new data suggests the canton of Zurich has far more space for housing development than previously claimed, and a new popular initiative is seeking to mandate a 5,000-franc minimum wage.