So far this thread has been very objective (partly thanks to the Mods...). Congrats to all who have contributed to it.
Re the SMOP (Single Manned OPeration), meaning only one ATCO working on position, be it a control sector during the day, or be it at night when all the sectors ar combined to one, it has to be remembered that this always has been and still is common practice in various ATCs worldwide, hence it is not only a Skyguide issue. This includes TWR, APP and ACC (Area Control).
I totally agree that this has to be addressed, and it has been dealt with at Skyguide, no more SMOP there.
It will be interesting to see if ICAO and/or EUROCONTROL and other local ATC bodies pick up the issue.