National Council wants uniform supervision of Swiss Post
Published: Wednesday, Jun 12th 2024, 13:50
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The National Council wants comprehensive and uniform supervision of the postal service by the Federal Postal Commission (Postcom). On Wednesday, it adopted a corresponding proposal by Lars Guggisberg (SVP/BE) by 111 votes to 81 with one abstention.
The Federal Council is to propose to Parliament the necessary amendment to the Postal Act. Swiss Post has been acting in a "questionable manner for years", said motionary Guggisberg in the Council. It has acquired numerous companies in various sectors - for example in the field of construction site logistics, sterile medical instruments or forests in Germany - and is thus competing with the private sector. This is also because smaller companies do not have a "level playing field" due to the size and financial strength of Swiss Post.
In contrast, Swiss Post wants to close 170 post offices in Switzerland. The company is thus neglecting the public service that is actually part of its basic mandate. This "chaos of responsibilities" should be eliminated, continued Guggisberg.
Swiss Post Minister Albert Rösti argued in vain in the Council for the rejection of the motion. The national government recognizes that there is a "need for clarification and adjustment" in the supervision of Swiss Post. However, it does not consider it sensible to tackle implementation independently of the outcome of the aforementioned supervisory proceedings and the need for further revision in the postal sector. This is because the issues to be clarified in the supervisory proceedings are essential for any new regulation of supervisory powers.
The Federal Council is also currently examining possible adjustments to the universal postal service. The future structure of the universal service and supervision interact strongly with each other. According to Rösti, new regulatory issues will arise depending on which adjustments are made.
The next step is for the Council of States to decide on the motion.
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