Power struggle at Swiss Post continues

The resignation of Wolfgang Werlé as a director of the Swiss postal authorities has caused more turmoil within the government-owned organisation.

Werlé is the third member of the top brass to hand in his resignation in the past month. Board member Rolf Hug stepped down on December 22, just eight days after chief executive Michel Kunz was replaced.

Communications Minister Moritz Leuenberger said he regretted Werlé’s decision and thanked him for his committed work for Swiss Post.

The problems at Swiss Post stem from differences of opinion over strategy with the chairman Claude Béglé.

Werlé, a director since 2002, said in a statement that Béglé’s strategy for promoting business abroad was risky and had never been approved by all board members.

Hug also said that he was stepping down over differences with Béglé over strategy and leadership.

Kunz was replaced because of what a statement termed “irreconcilable differences on principal issues”.

The Federal Communications Office said in a communiqué after Werlé’s resignation that it would now closely look at the composition of Swiss Post’s board, which is due for re-election in the spring.

swissinfo.ch and agencies