Topics of the Week 9
From the Franjo tattoo to the Chalandamarz tradition, record numbers in civil service, and the legal tug-of-war over US tariffs – this week, we reflect on compelling stories from sports, tradition, politics, and business.
Alright, the bet is on!
Three gold medals and a souvenir for eternity: The reception for Franjo von Allmen was more than just a celebration of his Olympic victory. A loyal companion provided the emotional highlight when he fulfilled a very special promise.
The bet was simple but risky: If Franjo won gold, he would get a tattoo. With the third Olympic victory, there was no turning back. At the reception, the friend proudly presented the result – the official Franjo logo as a tattoo on his skin. A lasting memento of the Milano-Cortina Winter Olympics, which made Swiss sports history with their medal haul.
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Ringing in the Winter's End
When the bells ring in the Engadine, it's more than just the start of a new month. Chalandamarz in the Romansh-speaking part of Switzerland marks the end of winter and the celebration of the approaching spring.
In our 1944 photo series, we bring this tradition back to life. The historical images document the ritual noise with which the approaching spring is welcomed – just as Selina Chönz and Alois Carigiet immortalized it in their classic "Schellenursli." Join us as we take a look back at Swiss cultural history.
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Number of the week - 7’211
The civil service is more popular than ever: In 2025, Switzerland recorded a new historical high with 7,211 admissions. While interest is growing, the Federal Council and Parliament are already working on tightening access. The latest figures from the Federal Office for Civilian Service (Zivi) show a significant increase of 6.1 percent compared to the previous year. This surpasses the previous record set in 2010 (6,826 admissions) for the first time. This trend directly contrasts with current political developments: In order to secure the army's personnel, stricter criteria will be introduced to make switching to civil service more difficult. A topic that will continue to stir debate between mandatory service and the freedom of choice throughout the year.
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Swiss Exporters demand refund of tariffs
The US Supreme Court has declared the controversial tariffs imposed by the US government invalid. Following this landmark ruling, Swiss exporters are going on the offensive. Breitling, Läderach, the Swatch Group, and Victorinox are already demanding refunds for the duties paid. Stöckli Swiss Sports has formally filed a lawsuit to secure the reimbursement of the tariffs.
Despite this development, the situation remains unclear for companies. There is currently uncertainty about which tariffs are applicable going forward and how the reversal of past payments will be handled in practice. The export industry is now awaiting clear signals from Washington regarding the practical implementation.
You can find everything about the tariff dispute between the US and Switzerland in our Lightbox.