After a multi‑month reform process, the Federal Press Office (BPA) announced on Thursday that it will restructure its organization, a change not seen in decades. The overhaul was guided by both internal and external experts.
At the heart of the reform is a downsizing from four to three departments. Departments 3 and 4 will merge to form a new unit called “Politics and Communication” which will centralise all external communication. A newly created “Leadership Staff – Strategy, Innovation, Disinformation” will oversee strategic work and separate long‑term priorities from day‑to‑day operations. The “Information Services” unit will be re‑structured, focusing on internal public relations and information tasks.
Federal government spokesperson Stefan Kornelius explained that after roughly 25 years, it was time to optimise the BPA fundamentally. “Our office is meant to stand at the forefront of government communication and to deliver sharp, clear information about federal policy” he said. “To do so, we must better represent the digital world and adapt to changing communication habits”.
Deputy head Esther Uleer added that the reform reflects careful analysis, strength and commitment. “We are creating a leaner organisational structure, linking more closely with the Chancellery, developing new capabilities, and clarifying internal processes and responsibilities” she said. “The BPA will also become more resilient, strategically preparing for crises. Besides core communication, handling disinformation will become a central focus”.
Employees were briefed on the upcoming changes on Thursday, and the new structure is scheduled to come into force on 1 June.