Swiss Students March Against Education and Research Cuts
On Wednesday, students across Switzerland took to the streets in a series of coordinated demonstrations against proposed cuts to education and research. The day culminated in a large rally in Bern, organized by the Swiss Students' Union (UNES).
In Bern, the VSS (Verband der Studierenden der Schweiz) led a demonstration to advocate for education, young people, and the future. They handed over a petition with 35,000 signatures to political decision-makers. The protest was part of a wider day of action involving students and researchers in Zurich, Basel, Lucerne, Lausanne, Geneva, and Neuchâtel, supported by unions.
In Zurich, nearly 700 people gathered to protest against cuts in research and education. They feared this could lead to a doubling of student fees and restrict access to higher education. In Lausanne, around 150 people gathered on the university campus to protest against planned cuts that could reduce the university's budget by around 7%, potentially weakening research and teaching quality.
Over 37,000 signatures were collected against an increase in tuition fees, reflecting the widespread concern among students and researchers about the potential impact of the proposed cuts. The Federation of Associations of Swiss Universities (FAE) called on the Grand Council to reject the proposed cuts to guarantee adequate funding for the future of the university.
