More nuclear energy from France and less advertising for sweets: the Sunday news Nearly half a billion: Swiss will make a profit again in 2022

Video surveillance in public transport is on the rise

Video surveillance in public transport has increased enormously in recent years. In 2015, the SBB installed 14,600 cameras in trains and stations; today, according to their own statements, they serve 24,400 recording devices, as the “SonntagsBlick” writes. The BLS has multiplied the number of cameras from 630 to 2880 in ten years, the Rhaetian Railway from 95 to 1723. The number of cameras on the trains of the southeastern railway line has increased from 380 to 1910 since 2017. Companies now have them on their buses and trams installed 1,622 surveillance cameras, the Zurich transport company 2,688, the post office box about 1,200. Commuters are thus confronted with more than 36,000 cameras – the surveillance systems of the many smaller transport companies in the country are not taken into account.

Benzidine residues in Basel: Doubts about the zeal of the canton

Benzidine residues are buried in dozens of locations across Switzerland. In the chemical city of Basel in particular, the authorities are struggling to tackle the contaminated site. A report of more than 100 pages, which is available exclusively for the “SonntagsZeitung”, raises doubts whether the canton of Basel-Stadt has properly investigated and remediated the contaminated soil sites. The study, commissioned by the Physicians for Environmental Protection, sheds light on how Basel authorities are dealing with their toxic legacy, using historical sources and past chemical contamination investigations. The report focuses on the two Basel districts of Rosental and Klybeck, which will be redeveloped in the near future. The study’s author, Martin Forter, told the Sunday paper: “The canton was only half-hearted when it came to detecting benzidine in the soil and restoring the area.”

Part-time work is booming – economists hold students accountable

The value of men working part-time has more than doubled since 1991. There are still significantly more women, namely every second woman, but their share has not increased in recent years. The part-time boom is also affecting average hours worked. They are currently around 31 hours per employee per week. Stefan Wolter, a professor of educational economics at the University of Bern, told the “SonntagsZeitung”: “So we fell under the French 35-hour week, which we so often laugh about.” In recent years, those who earn a lot, ie the highly educated in particular, have reduced their activity. If the well-educated only have small jobs on the side, their tax will no longer cover their study costs. He therefore advocates an obligation to reimburse study costs for those who have worked less than 70 percent throughout their working lives.

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Train connection between the Bernese Oberland and Valais will become more realistic

The planned Grimselbahn between the Bernese Oberland and Valais has cleared a first major hurdle: in February, the Transport Committee of the State Council voted in favor of the new railway tunnel. How the decision came about is being discussed in Bundesbern, as the “NZZ am Sonntag” writes. Because the decisive lobby took over the parliamentarians, who acted in delicate dual roles. State Councilor Hans Wicki gave the deciding vote for the tunnel. The liberal from Nidwalden is also chairman of the board of directors of Grimselbahn AG. State Councilor Beat Rieder (center, US) drafted the proposal for the new connection. He is also a member of the board of directors of the Grimselbahn. The head of the Bundesamt für Transport, who was present at the meeting, warned the two: “Perhaps I should also recall certain rules of revocation,” said Peter Füglistaler, according to the paper’s minutes.

Ecopop exponents get involved in SVP election campaign

Ecopop, the right-wing green movement against population growth, seemed silent for a long time. As research by “NZZ am Sonntag” shows, its exponents have recently become involved in the SVP election campaign and are providing the arguments for the popular party’s favorite topic, immigration. An example of this is the election paper that the Zurich SVP sent to households before the cantonal elections in February. A group called “Facts instead of fakes” is given as the sender for images and numbers. Who is behind it remains unclear. As the “NZZ am Sonntag” reports, there are Ecopop exponents, including Vice President Erika Häusermann.

Study: Switzerland could already have much more solar energy

A new study from the Swiss Energy Foundation (SES) shows that with the necessary funding, solar energy could have provided nearly five terawatt hours of additional electricity by 2021. In 2025, that would add nine terawatt hours. On the other hand, if Switzerland had refrained from the energy transition and slowed down the expansion of solar energy, it would now have two and a half terawatt hours less electricity. In 2025, that would be five terawatt hours less. Léonore Hälg of the Swiss Energy Foundation (SES), author of the study, said in the “SonntagsBlick”: “Only the promotion of renewable energy sources guarantees security of supply. Nuclear power plants reduce them.”

Germany asks for Swiss Leopard tanks – not Ukraine

On the “SonntagsBlick” is the letter from Berlin, in which Germany asks for the decommissioned Swiss Leopard 2 tanks. On an A4 sheet, German Defense Minister Boris Pistorius and Economics Minister Robert Habeck ask VBS boss Viola Amherd to comply with Rheinmetall’s purchase request. “We would be very grateful if you could agree to the repurchase by the Swiss Army of Leopard 2 main battle tanks from Rheinmetall.” It is guaranteed that the tanks will not be transferred to Ukraine. In the meantime, one thing is certain: the German army has no interest in the decommissioned Swiss tanks. A spokeswoman for the German Ministry of Defense confirmed this to “SonntagsBlick”: “These are not intended to be used as replacements for the tanks that the Bundeswehr is handing over to Ukraine.” It is more likely that Rheinmetall wants to sell the tanks to other NATO countries, including Spain and Poland.

Travailsuisse: Up to 6,600 women are discriminated against because of motherhood

Travailsuisse estimates that between 3,300 and 6,600 women are discriminated against at work because of their motherhood. The equality authorities are engaged in such processes time and time again, as numerous specialized agencies confirm to “SonntagsBlick”. The arbitration body under the Equal Opportunities Act Zurich even noted an increase in terminations due to pregnancy or maternity. And also the database www.gleichstellungs-gesetz.ch has registered an increase in procedures in this regard in recent years. “Since MeToo, many more women have contacted us than before,” says Virginie Ribaux, a lawyer at the Unia trade union. So far, it is unclear whether the problem has worsened or whether society’s increasing awareness is responsible.

Cantons are exploring new monitoring methods for ankle bracelets

Pilot tests are planned for a new form of electronic monitoring in numerous cantons this spring. This is reported by the “NZZ am Sonntag”. With “dynamic electronic surveillance” the perpetrators not only receive an electronic tag, but potential victims also receive a GPS device. If the two get too close, an alarm will sound at the authorities and on the victim’s device. “The point is that we can better protect victims of domestic violence in the future,” says Janine Repetti-Dittes, general director of the Electronic Supervision Association, to which 22 cantons are affiliated. The first results of the pilot tests are expected in 2024.

More nuclear energy from France for Switzerland?

In 1990, the northeastern Swiss electricity giant Axpo signed two contracts with the French state-owned company EDF. This allowed him to extract a total of 400 megawatts (MW) from French nuclear power plants. In 2019, Axpo and its partners let the first of the two contracts expire. Now, in the middle of the energy crisis, the question arises whether the second contract should be extended by 15 years. This guarantees Switzerland the supply of 200 MW of electricity until 2024, enough for almost 400,000 households. The supply contract is so important to Axpo that the group is now involving the federal government. “There is currently an exchange with the federal government on the status of the talks and to clarify any common interests in extending the contract,” confirmed Axpo spokesperson Noël Graber of “NZZ am Sonntag”.

Asylum system: Confederation recognizes “currently tense situation in individual cantons”

The federal government now recognizes the “currently tense situation in the individual cantons” in the asylum system, as the State Secretariat for Migration (SEM) reported to the “SonntagsZeitung” upon request. SEM boss Christine Schraner Burgener signed a concession on Friday at a meeting with cantonal representatives: the federal government is ready to temporarily suspend allocations at the request of an affected canton, as the SEM confirms. For example, cantons in need temporarily do not have to take in extra refugees. Instead, asylum seekers stay longer in federal structures. The canton of Geneva recently received a temporary registration freeze. The federal government currently has 11,000 places, almost two-thirds are occupied according to the SEM. However, the federal agency expects asylum applications to rise again soon.

Advertising for sweets and fat must be restricted

In Germany, the government has announced strict restrictions on the advertising of sweets and fatty foods. The Swiss authorities are also planning such measures to protect children, writes the “SonntagsZeitung”. According to the Federal Food Safety and Veterinary Office (FSVO), advertising high-sugar and high-fat foods to children contributes to an unhealthy diet. “The BLV also has plans to regulate advertising aimed at children,” said spokeswoman Sarah Camenisch. The authority said it had long tried unsuccessfully to reach an agreement with the food industry on advertising restrictions. According to the BLV, the focus is on advertising restrictions in print media, radio and television, and in social media. (sda)