Councillor moves to relax Sunday trading

The Federal Councillor Guy Parmelin says he wants to see more shops open on Sundays in the city centres.

At the moment, there are strict laws – from Bern and the cantons which closely regulate Sunday opening.

There are exceptions – train stations, airports and tourist centres. 

But the middle of many cities are almost deserted on Sundays. Parmelin says tourists should be able to go shopping on a Sunday. 

But unions are against the plan, as they see the move as a further relaxation on Sunday trading laws. 

The idea will move to consultations by the end of the year. The main cities likely to benefit will be Geneva, Lausanne, Bern and Zurich.

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