Cassis needs a new EU chief negotiator – but the top diplomats don’t want road workers killed at a motorway construction site in Seewen SZ

To many, he was regarded as a kind of hope in the Ministry of Foreign Affairs (EDA) under FDP Federal Councilor Ignazio Cassis: Alexandre Fasel (61), an experienced, undisputedly strong diplomat and valued as a boss, most recently ambassador in London, currently special adviser to the Federal Council in international Geneva.

Some diplomats hoped that Fasel from Freiburg would become the new Secretary of State in the FDFA, succeeding Livia Leu, who is leaving the post after only two years to become ambassador to prestigious Berlin before retiring. Fasel could give profile and weight to the position of Secretary of State. In the field of personnel management, but also in relation to setting priorities in Swiss foreign policy. That he could also give new impetus to the negotiations with the EU.

Under Leu, insiders didn’t notice much of this, they seemed lost in the EU negotiations. One observer put it this way: the bureaucrats currently in charge of the department, also because Cassis himself is hardly interested in personnel and projects: General Secretary Markus Seiler and the Directorate of Resources under Tania Cavassini.

Fassel is silent

But the “Option Fasel” has clearly kicked in. De Freiburger, considered by many to be one of the last heavyweights in the FDFA, did not apply for the position of State Secretary. That is what various sources say independently of each other to CH Media. Alexandre Fasel himself could not be reached by CH Media, he left an email question unanswered.

There was some exchange, but Fasel clearly failed to conclude that the current EDA leadership around Cassis and Seiler was interested in a secretary of state like him, one with weight and poise and a mind of his own. “Fasel is not one to throw himself in the dust before Seiler,” says an observer near the Federal Palace. But something like this was expected of him – and probably other papabili.

According to various insiders, Leu’s successor is a yes nod who does what he is asked to do, who does not take any initiative of his own if possible and leaves the selection and management of personnel to the bureaucrats.

Not an isolated case

Fasel is no exception. According to reports, the ambassadors in Brussels and Rome, Rita Adam and Monika Schmutz, also did not apply. They too had been traded as possible Leu successors.

What is certain is that none of the remaining heavyweights in Swiss diplomacy like moving to headquarters to be burned. “Never again Bern,” says someone. For many, the departure of former Secretary of State Roberto Balzaretti was traumatic. He was almost done negotiating the framework agreement with the EU, in constant consultation with the Federal Council, when Cassis abruptly dropped him.

“The Secretary of State should have the same weight as before, also politically, and be number two in the department,” says a diplomat. Today, department management is actually left to the HR department, which is fatal. Critics accuse the current FDFA of only coming up with paper strategies but not being present on site or with initiatives.

Three people reading

A strong secretary of state is not on the agenda. According to the FDFA, the selection committee that deals with Leu’s successor consists of three people: Markus Seiler, secretary general. Tania Cavassini, Head of the Resources Directorate, and Patricia Danzi, Director of Development and Cooperation.

The FDFA declined to answer the question of how many applications had been received. Nor how many women and how many men have registered. It also does not state whether people are still being asked or appointed who have not registered. “The FDFA does not comment on an ongoing recruitment process,” it reads.

On the other hand, in response to further questions, the FDFA states that the current procedure with the call for applications and the selection committee has existed since 2014 and is based on an instruction from the Federal Council. It is unclear whether the vacancy will be filled before the summer holidays. Livia Leu will remain in office until the end of August. Some critics say the race for the EDA Secretariat of State has become a jekami compared to before.

who should have applied

According to insiders, it is not surprising that people who are on good terms with current management are inclined to apply. This presumably includes Gabriel Lüchinger, ex-Secretary General of the SVP. The International Security Department of the FDFA, which he heads, may become obsolete with the establishment of the new Secretariat of State for Security in the DDPS.

Or Simon Geissbühler, head of the FDFA’s Peace and Human Rights Department. He is the brother of SVP National Councilor Andrea Geissbühler. Certain critics also consider him acceptable, as he probably wouldn’t put up with everything. Patric Franzen, head of the Europe department and Livia Leu’s deputy, is seen as promising. The Swiss ambassador in London, Markus Leitner, would also be in the running.

Even the name of Monika Rühl, head of the trade association Economiesuisse, is haunting. She has a diplomatic education.