Sunday, December 15, 2024
Published: Sunday, Dec 15th 2024, 06:20
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Less solar power from the Alps, right-wing extremist connections of the Young SVP and canceled programs from SRF Kultur: this and more can be found in the Sunday newspapers. The headlines in unverified reports:
"SonntagsZeitung" / "Le Matin Dimanche":
The energy company Axpo has significantly lowered its forecasts for electricity production from Alpine solar plants. Instead of two terawatt hours, Axpo now expects a quarter of the targeted amount in the short term, as the SonntagsZeitung newspaper reported in a new estimate. The Group has even reduced its long-term production forecast by a factor of 10, which is not even half of what politicians had already promised for 2030. The main reason for this is the higher construction costs in high alpine terrain. Energy Minister Albert Rösti is aware of the problem. But he wants to continue to focus on Alpine solar power. "Every plant that is built makes a contribution," he said.
"NZZ am Sonntag":
A member of the Young SVP (JSVP) took part in a meeting of the Junge Alternative Sachsen in Prague. The Junge Alternative is considered to be of the extreme right, as the NZZ am Sonntag wrote. In Prague, the Swiss man gave a lecture to around 40 people. According to the newspaper, the three-day meeting served to network right-wing and far-right youth parties. Schweizer has long been involved in the Zug cantonal section and takes part in national party meetings as a delegate. He maintains close relations with the JSVP party leadership and is a confidant of the controversial head of strategy, Sarah Regez. Regez and JSVP President Nils Fiechter did not respond to inquiries from the newspaper.
"SonntagsBlick":
SRF Kultur is said to have quietly discontinued programs and planned further discontinuations. The programs "Kontext", "Künste im Gespräch" and "Kulturtalk" are to be cancelled, as SonntagsBlick wrote. 51 SRF journalists expressed their displeasure in a letter to SRF Director Nathalie Wappler. The content of the letter is disputed by SRF on various points, but is evidence of the bad mood in the company, wrote "SonntagsBlick". For example, the employees warned: "If you only focus on reach and clicks, you will represent a populist concept of culture, annoy those interested in culture and fail to fulfill the mission of focusing."
"SonntagsZeitung" / "Le Matin Dimanche":
The Federal Criminal Court wants to discontinue the proceedings against Rifaat al-Assad, uncle of the ousted Syrian ruler Bashar al-Assad. The court justifies the possible discontinuation - after eleven years of investigations - with the defendant's alleged inability to travel and to stand trial, as the SonntagsZeitung wrote. The federal prosecutor's office doubted the poor state of health. In the past, it had unsuccessfully demanded that Assad be examined in an independent Swiss hospital. The Office of the Attorney General brought charges against the former Syrian vice president and ex-officer in March of this year. They accuse him of crimes against humanity and war crimes. The charges relate to acts committed in 1982.
"NZZ am Sonntag":
The Swiss Federation of Trade Unions (SGB) has called on the Federal Council to hold an additional round of negotiations with the European Union. SGB President Pierre-Yves Maillard addressed a letter to the Federal Council at the beginning of the week, as reported by the "NZZ am Sonntag". The meeting between Federal President Viola Amherd and EU Commission President Ursula von der Leyen should not be allowed to degenerate into a meaningless show. According to the newspaper, Maillard wrote that the problems with wage protection had not yet been resolved. The SGB has also opposed the EU expenses regulation. Apparently, this should apply to Switzerland under the new treaty. The Swiss Trade Association (SGV) supported the SGB in this matter.
"NZZ am Sonntag":
The head of reinsurer Swiss Re, Andreas Berger, has neither ruled out nor confirmed job cuts in Zurich. More information is expected to be available in the first quarter of the new year, as Berger said in an interview with "NZZ am Sonntag". He could not yet say how many jobs would be affected. Compared to the competition, "the reorganization will be modest", he said. Swiss Re wants to save 300 million dollars by 2027. The exit from the digital insurance platform Iptiq and other portfolios will account for a third of the savings, Berger said, adding: "In addition, we are also looking at other areas of the Group, such as finance and data technology."
"NZZ am Sonntag":
The SVP wants to reduce the mineral oil tax by ten centimes per liter of petrol or diesel. The SVP party and parliamentary group leaders are backing the proposal by SVP National Councillor Thomas Knutti (BE), as the "NZZ am Sonntag" wrote. Knutti will submit the corresponding motion next week. After the No to the freeway expansion, drivers should get something back, said Knutti, adding: "After all, they have paid into the NAF for this." Almost five billion Swiss francs from the National Roads and Agglomeration Transport Fund (NAF) were earmarked for the expansion. The department of SVP Federal Councillor Albert Rösti disagreed: "An immediate reduction would mean a lack of revenue for the NAF to finance projects that have already been approved," said the Federal Department of the Environment, Transport, Energy and Communications.
"SonntagsZeitung":
The President of the Swiss Confederation, Viola Amherd, has apologized for a false statement she made this week in the National Council. According to the "SonntagsZeitung" newspaper, the Defense Minister had said that she herself had requested the adoption of a motion demanding a report on defense strategy from the Federal Council. However, according to the newspaper, internal documents showed that Amherd had opposed the motion - even when resistance arose from other departments. The statement in the National Council was "incorrect", the Federal Councillor's spokesperson said. It was a misunderstanding. The minutes will be corrected. The motion was adopted by the large chamber.
"SonntagsBlick":
Right-wing circles have planned a protest march during EU Commission President Ursula von der Leyen's visit to Bern on Saturday. The city of Bern has received an application for an anti-EU rally, according to SonntagsBlick. The authorities have not provided more than a confirmation. According to the newspaper, the request is said to have come from Mass Voll founder Nicolas Rimoldi. Apparently, the city has signaled a concession to him. Rimoldi did not wish to comment on the plans.
"SonntagsBlick":
Migros is expected to announce the sale of its subsidiary Hotelplan in the first quarter of 2025. A few official clarifications are still required, said Migros CEO Mario Irminger in an interview with "SonntagsBlick". The Group would not provide any information on the ongoing negotiations. The clarifications include, for example, official approval in the UK, which would be required in the event of a change of ownership. According to "SonntagsBlick", it is understood in the travel industry that Hotelplan is to be sold to the German Dertour Group. Irminger did not want to speculate on "potential buyers and possible consequences".
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