News

The Federal Council today decided to submit to the Federal Assembly a spending ceiling of CHF 3.93 million for the Swiss Human Rights Institution (SHRI) for the period 2027–30, thus maintaining the same level of funding as in the previous period.

At its meeting on 6 May 2026, the Federal Council amended several ordinances to promote a secure emergency call system. In future, people in distress will be able to use their smartphones to write to the police, fire brigade and ambulance emergency services via real-time text (RTT). Furthermore, the next-generation automatic emergency call system for vehicles (NG eCall) will also be able to use more advanced mobile communications technologies. In addition, a helpline and advice service for victims of domestic violence has been set up under the short number 142.

One person with a hantavirus infection is currently being treated at the University Hospital Zurich (USZ). The patient is male and returned to Switzerland after travelling on the cruise ship on which there were a number of hantavirus cases. The USZ is prepared to deal with such cases, is able to care for the patient, and guarantee the safety of staff and all patients. There is currently no risk to the Swiss public.

On Tuesday, 5 May, President Guy Parmelin met with Italian President Sergio Mattarella and Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Antonio Tajani in Rome. The talks focused on bilateral relations, security issues and competitiveness in Europe, as well as current international affairs. The response to the devastating fire in Crans Montana was also discussed. On 6 May, President Parmelin will attend the swearing-in ceremony of the new Swiss Guards at the Vatican. During his visit, he will meet Pope Leo XIV and Cardinal Secretary of State Pietro Parolin.

Agroscope is testing the use of new breeding technologies by cultivating a late blight-resistant potato cultivar in the field. Authorised by the Federal Office for the Environment (FOEN), the field study serves as a basis for researching potato varieties containing no foreign DNA. These so called ‘cisgenic’ varieties reduce the need for plant-protection products and can better withstand extreme weather conditions.

The Consumer Price Index (CPI) increased by 0.3% in April 2026 compared with the previous month, reaching 101.1 points (December 2025 = 100). Inflation was +0.6% compared with the same month of the previous year. These are the results of the Federal Statistical Office (FSO).

Address by Vicepresident of the Federal Council, Ignazio Cassis, Head of the Federal Department of Foreign Affairs (FDFA) - check against delivery

As part of its term as chair of the OSCE in 2026, Switzerland is organising an international conference on 7 and 8 May 2026 in Geneva on the anticipation of new technologies and their significance for peace and security in the OSCE region. Representatives from politics, science and international organisations will discuss how to capitalise on opportunities, minimise risks and strengthen trust and security through increased dialogue in a rapidly changing world.

The Federal Tax Administration has updated the course listings and bonus shares 2025 and 2026.

At the invitation of President Guy Parmelin, foreign ambassadors accredited to Switzerland travelled to the President’s home canton of Vaud on Friday, 1 May, for their annual outing. The programme took the party from Chillon Castle to the Genolier Innovation Hub.

You could be interested by new pages which have been published on the OFCOM website between 15.04.2026 and 30.04.2026.

President Guy Parmelin will represent Switzerland at the eighth summit of the European Political Community (EPC), which is to be held in the Armenian capital of Yerevan on 4 May. On 5 and 6 May, Mr Parmelin will meet with Italian President Sergio Mattarella in Rome, hold talks at the Vatican with Pope Leo XIV and attend the swearing-in ceremony of new recruits to the Pontifical Swiss Guard.