Love from above
Blocher stirs the pot, Migros sells out, Germany's adoration
Dear Insider,
Who needs Switzerland?
And more importantly - who does Switzerland need itself?
Few people take time to ask themselves those questions…
But when things “go south” - as they currently seem to be doing in Germany - it is only natural to “look south” at the fine example of Switzerland…and many of its policies.
This week’s edition highlights just some of the things that German politicians are proposing to “borrow” from their smaller neighbour.
Meanwhile, the puzzle of Viola Amherd’s replacement on the Federal Council continues to go unsolved…as the 12 March vote draws closer.
One (potentially explosive) solution? 💥
The return of Christoph Blocher…
The SVP patriarch does not officially stand to win, given that the vacant seat “belongs” to the Center party…
But the right wing’s crafty old fox is still smart enough to put his name into the public debate…and see what happens.
Enjoy,
Ian
💡PS: Let me know what you like (or don’t) about The Swiss Insider. Drop me a message on LinkedIn here.
I am also on Bluesky - the fast-growing X alternative…
💥Quick hits
Short and - mostly, but not always - sweet…
😔 Loser (again) at Leonteq
Lessons learned? Not likely…
The “aftershocks” continue at Leonteq. After it was announced that co-founder and CEO, Lukas Ruflin, would step down from his CEO role - the company has now decided that Ruflin will not join the Board of Directors as previously planned.
Major shareholder Raiffeisen Switzerland, which holds approximately 30% of Leonteq's shares, is rumored to be considering a full acquisition.
The company's recent involvement in complex transactions through offshore entities has attracted attention from financial authorities, further complicating its current situation.
📰 Disappearing (Handelszeitung) act
Another cut in the newspaper business…
Swiss media giant Ringier has announced that its flagship business newspaper, Handelszeitung, will reduce its print frequency from weekly to bi-weekly and lay off three employees.
The publication has been struggling with declining circulation, currently selling only 14,700 copies while distributing nearly 18,000 free copies.
Additionally, the specialized section "HZ Banking" will be discontinued as part of these restructuring efforts.
🛌🏻 Migros checks out
Migros continues its “slimming” exercise.
The “organge giant” has sold its Hotelplan Group to the German travel operator DER Touristik, which operates in Switzerland under brands like Kuoni and Helvetic Tours.
This acquisition reduces the major Swiss holiday travel providers from three to two, with DER Touristik widening its lead over TUI.
Additionally, Hotelplan's subsidiary, Interhome, has been acquired by Berlin-based vacation rental specialist Hometogo for 150 million Swiss francs.
⚕️No time for temps
Flexibility at work is in fashion - or at least it is in some areas.
A full 37% of Swiss workers are part-time, higher than the EU average.
But the picture isn’t all rosy…especially in healthcare.
Swiss hospitals are increasingly reducing their reliance on temporary nursing staff due to significant costs and operational challenges.
Temporary nurses often command higher wages and incur additional agency fees, making them a costly option for healthcare institutions.
What is more, the frequent onboarding of external personnel demands substantial resources and is believed to disrupt team cohesion, as temporary staff may choose their shifts.
This can lead to perceived inequities among permanent employees. 😡
According to the Swissstaffing association, the proportion of temporary positions in the healthcare sector increased from 2.2% in 2022 to 2.6% in 2023, with continued growth observed in 2024.
However, more recently hospitals have become increasingly critical of temporary staffing and are choosing to cut down on it…
More specifically:
The University Hospital Zurich reduced temporary roles from 60 to 10 full-time positions last year.
Bülach Hospital decreased such positions from 185 to 30.
The University Hospital Basel is also minimizing its use of temporary staff
Lucerne Cantonal Hospital aims to eliminate temporary positions entirely.
The big question remains - how will the intersection of risking health-care costs, simmering anti-immigration sentiment and political calculation will affect staffing.
Hospitals won’t be the only ones in a conundrum…
🏠The “lap of luxury” for sale…
Luxury locations are not hard to find in Switzerland. But locations to buy are much tougher to get your hands on…
Fortunately - there are highly experienced real estate brokers - like Engel & Volkers, Wüst und Wüst and others - to help out.
Here are 7 of the top luxury brokers to know in 2025…
💞 In love with Switzerland
Switzerland might seem like an island… But in many ways it isn’t.
Even as it stands out as an exception in the middle of Europe - and globally - the country is also the subject of great discussion.
Currently - the “Swiss way” is a topic of conversation in another country that isn’t doing so well…Germany.
From the smaller parties in the German Bundestag, where elections are set for 23 Februrary, come a range of ideas how to fix the country…by copying their neighbour to the south.
Here’s an overview:
Improving Railway Efficiency
The SPD wants to reform Deutsche Bahn by taking inspiration from Switzerland’s punctual and reliable rail system.
Using Pension Funds for Homeownership
The liberals of FDP propose allowing people to use occupational pension funds to buy homes, similar to Switzerland.
Stronger Consumer Price Oversight
BSW advocates for creating a "price supervisor" role, modeled after Switzerland’s “Preisüberwacher”, to prevent companies and the state from overcharging.
Sustainable Infrastructure Funding
Die Linke proposes setting up a dedicated infrastructure fund, modeled after Switzerland’s NAF (National Roads Fund) and FABI (Rail Infrastructure Fund), to ensure stable transport investment.
Expanding Direct Democracy
The hard-right AfD wants to introduce referendums and popular initiatives, emulating Switzerland’s direct democracy model.
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A Chart is Worth…
The labor market in Switzerland is facing a downward trend…
The Bonus
⚖️ Cannabis coming? - A committee in the National Assembly has been set up to look at the eventual legalization of cannabis. (Link)
🔎 No further - The Swiss High Court ruled that there are no grounds to further investigate the circumstances of government policy leaks to Ringier media (Link)