Swiss minister questions tax evasion rule | Reuters .

Switzerland's justice minister questioned on Sunday whether tax evasion should continue to be treated as a misdemeanour rather than a crime, in another blow to the country's cherished banking secrecy.

Switzerland has already abandoned the distinction between tax evasion -- failing to declare your income or wealth to the taxman -- and tax fraud -- deliberately misleading the revenue -- for foreigners investing money in the country.

More signs of progress.

Yes I know it will need a referendum to get through - but without leaders willing to make the case for even putting the question to a vote that can't happen.

So this is real progress.