Yes, this topic did enter the news here, although there hasn't exactly been much debate on it in the papers. Maybe when it comes before parliament it will gather a bit more interest. Generally, however, the problem remains that those making the laws and writing the newspaper articles will be almost exclusively non-gamers.
While I myself will probably just go on ordering my games from Amazon and similar places, it's disturbing trend to say the least: Even non-gamers should see the inconsistencies that such censorship has with a democratic society. Banning mentally capable adults from activities that do not cause harm to others is not a mark of enlightened authority.
This being a semi-direct democracy, I'm just curious about whether if the second proposed bill does get through the legislative, those opposing it might be able to call a referendum on it. And if that succeeds, how the people will ultimately decide.
You must be thinking of the Netherlands. Switzerland is a very conservative right-wing country.
Despite what the latest international news on the country might suggest, it's way more complicated than you think. While the right-wing Nationalist/Populist Swiss People's Party is the best-represented in parliament, the Social Democrats and Greens outnumber them in combination. There are also two more centrist parties (one Christian-democrat, one economically liberal/libertarian) that may swing either left or right, depending on the debate. From that point of view, Switzerland is quite polarised politically.
The minaret ban was a major shock, but I put it more down to the apathy and general ineffectualness of left-wingers and moderates (all major parties except the SPP strongly opposed it).
The guy is in fact right. Cannabis is technically illegal to sell, but is tolerated in small quantities. I have indeed seen it smoked out-of-doors. Porno magazines are also sold in some kiosks in plain view.
