Two former mayors from the Seeland region speak for the first time about burnout and stress in office. (Swiss Press Local 2026, by Hämmerli Rachel)

Two former mayors from the Seeland region speak for the first time about burnout and stress in office.

Bieler Tagblatt und ajour.ch

Local

2026

Hämmerli Rachel

Both led the municipalities of Safnern and Studen for many years. Then, Theres Lautenschlager and Dieter Winkler surprisingly withdrew from local politics. Both were considered highly motivated and energetic. In a joint interview, they spoke about the overwhelming demands of the office and the taboo against showing weakness as mayor.

Author

Hämmerli Rachel / Swiss Press Award

Hämmerli Rachel

Journalistin, Biel, 1995

Als Lokaljournalistin wohne ich in dem Ort, über den ich schreibe. Ich werde oft im Dorf und ausserhalb wegen meiner Berichte angesprochen. Für die Leute bin ich längst von der "Tochter von" zur "Journalistin" geworden. Meine Ausbildung habe ich an der Ringier Journalistenschule gemacht und heute schreibe ich beim Bieler Tagblatt für die Leute in und ausserhalb meines Dorfes.

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Two former mayors from the Seeland region speak for the first time about burnout and stress in office. (Swiss Press Local 2026, by Hämmerli Rachel) - Swiss Press Award