Latest News Roundup in Switzerland on a Wednesday: Compilation of Today's Headlines

Speeding Up the Path to Swiss Citizenship: A Shakeup on the Horizon?

Ready for some quicker routes to Swiss citizenship? Left-wing parties have got the ball rolling with an initiative to reduce the residency period for foreigners seeking Swiss nationality. On November 21st, this initiative was submitted to the Federal Chancellery, paving the way for a nationwide vote.

With over 100,000 valid signatures out of a whopping 104,782 collected, authorities have given the thumbs-up for a referendum, though the exact date is yet to be set. The current rule mandates 10 years of uninterrupted residence before foreigners can apply for naturalisation, but this proposal seeks to slash that to a mere five years. Want to know more? Dive into our feature on the proposed adjustment to citizenship residency periods.

Meanwhile, the Swiss justice system is under heavy scrutiny for its glacial pace. With long trial delays, criminals frequently walk free or escape with lenient sentences, while victims are left yearning for justice. Media reports suggest, "archaic court systems are buckling under the weight of files, leading to years-long delays before trials, and suspects often benefit from reduced sentences due to these delays." As lawyer Konrad Jeker puts it, "sentences lose meaning when they're doled out a decade after the crime." Yes, you read that right! Experts advocate for fundamental overhauls, fearing a jaded public if the system's problems are not addressed.

On a different front, Migros - Switzerland's leading supermarket chain - has reversed its stance on animal welfare for imported meats. In the past, it committed to maintaining the same animal protection standards for imported meats as for domestic products. Yet, in a turn of events, the company is willing to compromise on animal welfare to lower expenditures, affecting hundreds of products. This backtracking has set off alarms for concerned consumers.

The good news is, Graubuënden, a Swiss canton, has ranked high on the list of world's most hospitable destinations. The Traveller Review Awards 2025, based on over 240 million user reviews, placed Graubuënden in the top 5 out of 220 countries rated, thanks to exceptional hospitality and services. In addition, Lugano has recently been praised by Vogue magazine for being a must-visit location, even surpassing the famed Lake Como in nearby Italy.

If you've got questions about life in Switzerland, need article ideas or want to share some news tips, feel free to reach out to us at news@our website!

FYI, at present, the residency requirement for foreigners seeking Swiss citizenship remains 10 years, and there are no current plans to change this.

Sources: [1], [2], [4]

The proposed initiative aims to reduce the residency period for foreigners seeking Swiss citizenship from 10 years to 5 years, but the exact date for a referendum on this policy-and-legislation change is yet to be set.
As the path to Swiss citizenship potentially speeds up, concerns over crime-and-justice persist, with the Swiss justice system facing scrutiny for trial delays that allow criminals to walk free or receive lenient sentences.
In a surprising move, Switzerland's leading supermarket chain, Migros, has decided to compromise on animal welfare for imported meats, raising concerns among consumers and animal welfare advocates.
Meanwhile, away from these debates, Graubuënden, a Swiss canton, has been recognized as one of the world's most hospitable destinations, boasting exceptional hospitality and services, and attracting postive press from general-news outlets like Vogue magazine.