Guaranteed Income Referendum Rejected; Swiss Affirm Asylum Reform; Basel Traffic Trauma Looms; Local Goods Find Internet Market

News For 7 June 2016     Sunday's referendum saw the rejection of the Universal Basic Income (UBI) initiative.  In exit polls, it seems the vast majority of Swiss voters were more concerned about the cost of such a program as opposed to its proposed benefits.  The Swiss government was quick to paint the rejection as a vote of confidence in the existing welfare system, with close to 77% of eligible voters casting a "no" ballot.  Despite its rejection, the referendum which promised to provide for a minimum 2500 CHF to every eligible resident of Switzerland, has managed to resonate throughout the world.   ******************   A spectacular rejection of the Swiss People's Party (SVP)  campaign against asylum reform was also handed down in this past Sunday's referendum.  The SVP had been arguing in advance of the vote that reforming, thereby speeding up and simplifying the asylum process, would encourage migrants and "fake refugees" to single out Switzerland as their destination when leaving their home countries.  In light of recent trends showing that, in fact, asylum applications have been declining recently, the arguments fell on deaf ears, with 67% of voters in favor of reform.  The tightening of rules regarding immigration have been a central pillar of the SVP's political platform - making the "yes" vote an especially stark rebuke to its agenda.

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Walking around the center of town you may have noticed the work that has begun on the tram tracks in Aeschenplatz.  Already causing serious traffic snarls as the tracks are replaced while auto and tram traffic continues, it is very likely to get worse as we head into July.  The BVB, one of Basel's tram line operators announced last Friday that the tracks on Falknerstrasse between Barfusserplatz and Schifflande will need to be replaced, closing the thoroughfare from the 4th through the 30th of July.  In addition, the closure will prevent any traffic, busses and commercial deliveries included, essentially closing the street in the area to everything but foot traffic while the work is completed.  The BVB said the work is necessary as the heavily used track has come to the end of its 17 year service life.  Affected tram service on the 6, 8, 11, 14, 15, 16 and 17 lines will be diverted where possible, or cancelled otherwise.

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Everybody loves fresh, seasonal produce but don't often have the time to shop for it - instead opting for the convenience of prepared and/or preserved foods.  They also love the convenience of ordering on-line, especially over their mobile devices which never seem to be far from reach.  Now, The Basel Farmers Association in cooperation with Basel Tourismus have launched an on-line direct sales platform called Basel Country Store, meant to marry the convenience with the need.  Tobias Eggimann, Managing Director of Basel Tourismus expressed his confidence that the project would bring together the general public and producers of fresh farm products.  Consumers can expect to find meat, fruit, vegetables, baked goods and even wine, all locally sourced and shipped directly from the producing farms.  Meant to encourage the consumption of local and regional specialties, the success of the project will also encourage the participation of small family farms that would not otherwise bring their goods to market.