Nick Koretsky wrote:

> To prevent systemd respawn on upgrades, create a file
> in /etc/apt/preferences.d/ with following content
> Package: systemd-sysv
> Pin: release o=Debian
> Pin-Priority: -1

Thanks - I have already forgotten that I have already done so :). As I
checked exactly the same file was exactly there :)
Not sure if I got it from you or someone else, but looks like this is the
solution.
I must admit with sysv init, everything works like a charm. I just can't
confirm this for a laptop anymore as I had to stop using one with linux,
but server and workstations are doing great.

regards