Deposed director Henrique Schneider wants his job back: will there be a coup at the trade association today?

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The tree is burning at the Swiss Trade Association (SGV). light up. This shows the farewell email from outgoing director Hans-Ulrich Bigler (65) to the members on Tuesday. In this, he does not leave a good hair on the GSD board.

He writes: “For the sake of good order and in any case to maintain decency and respect on my part, today on my last day of work I bid you farewell as Director of SGV.” The fact that the president and the Executive Board did not consider a word of thanks, let alone acknowledgment, to be necessary alienates him, but according to Bigler, needs no further comment.

Extraordinary general meeting

A dirty power struggle is raging over the future political orientation of the largest umbrella organization in the Swiss economy.

There is an extraordinary meeting on Wednesday. The SGV cares about nothing less than its future. And the question of who should run the store from now on.

On the one hand there is SGV chairman and Central National Council member Fabio Regazzi (61) and the Board of Directors. Two weeks ago you withdrew the election of Henrique Schneider (45) as the new director. This after it became known that Schneider would have adorned himself with false titles and would have plagiarized repeatedly. A law firm commissioned by the SGV concluded with an expert opinion that Schneider had in fact committed “serial plagiarism”.

Right wing supports Schneider

On the other side is Schneider himself, who should have replaced Director Bigler on July 1. However, Schneider does not intend to give up without a fight.

In a letter to the members of the Chamber of Commerce, the hundred-member parliament of the SGV, he shot his critics with all weapons on Monday. Not only the media were targeted, the board of the trade association was also not unscathed.

And Schneider is not alone. A real countermovement has emerged – consisting of the right wing of the association. This one supports Schneider and wants to hold him. The criticism: The board was shocked and acted rashly. In any case, Schneider’s election was unanimous and a commitment was made to the contract.

Voting results open

The denouement will take place on Wednesday. Among other things, a vote will be taken on the decision of the Board of Directors to fire Schneider. If you ask insiders how the vote will go, you will get only one answer from all sides: everything open!

One thing is clear: it is also about the future of SGV chairman Regazzi. The Central National Council of Ticino suddenly finds itself in a difficult position in the increasingly right-wing dominated association. Members of the moderate wing even speak of a real “coup attempt” against Regazzi.

Everything is geared towards his resignation so that a “libertarian-right foreign politician” can finally take over. If this ‘coup’ succeeds, it is feared that a large part of the board will resign and someone from the SVP could take over.

Many dishes broke

However, various associations are unanimously behind Regazzi and the SGV board, their representatives confirm to Blick. You speak out against the appointment of Schneider as director of SGV.

These associations are concerned about the development and the reputational damage that is already becoming visible for the SGV. It is equally irritating that Henrique Schneider disregards the decisions of the board of directors and denies the board of directors the legitimacy to seek expert judgment. It is important that you vote now so that you can finally draw a line.

After all, both parties agree on one thing: however it turns out, the SGV is the big loser in this power struggle.

Source:Blick