Expanded and reshuffled XXL government staff: more than 270 civil servants affected
The New Coalition Under Fire for Expanding Government Staff
The newly formed government in Vienna is taking heat for boosting its staff count, mirroring the size of the previous "Turquoise-Blue" coalition. With over 270 employees, the new government is causing quite the stir, with the Freedom Party (FPOe) accusing them of hypocrisy.
Every government strives to "save in the system," and having staff is necessary for smooth operation. However, the number of cabinet staff is often used as a barometer for fiscal efficiency by opposition politicians. In reality, a difference of 10 percent equates to less than five million euros in budgetary terms. Still, the number of personnel is causing a commotion.
"Expansion is unjustified unless it's to provide more party cronies and favorites at the expense of taxpayers," FPOe General Secretary Michael Schnedlitz grumbled, pointing fingers at the government for deceit.
Interestingly, the Turquoise-Blue coalition, comprising Austria's People's Party (ÖVP) and the Freedom Party (FPÖ), had an equivalent workforce. However, comparing staff numbers can be tricky, as not all counts include chancellery staff, assistants, or general secretariats.
The Turquoise-Blue government, which ruled from 2017 to 2019, had more than 280 employees in the ministerial offices. A scandal-induced collapse reduced the staff under interim Chancellor Brigitte Bierlein to under 200. However, these figures don't compare directly due to differences in classification.
One standout figure is that of former FPÖ Interior Minister Herbert Kickl, now the party's chairman. Kickl didn't hold back on staffing during his tenure, doubling the number of staff from 18 to 37, and even with generous salaries.
Despite the criticism, this isn't the first time the current SPÖ and NEOS have been in the hot seat for maintaining a similar workforce size. Back when criticizing the previous government for their bloated political apparatus, STÖ and NEOS were the ones sounding the alarm.
It's ironic that the same parties are now receiving criticism for employing a large cabinet staff. In 2018, the SPÖ club chairman said the "saving in the system" promise by Turquoise-Blue was far from convincing, while Neos MP Nikolaus Scherak branded it as nothing more than a marketing stunt.
To set the record straight, the Ministry of Social Affairs isn't hiring a highly-paid employee solely for gender issues. Upon scrutinizing the minister's staff list, we found that the relevant employee is also tasked with handling budget and diversity matters.
Some may view this expansion as a stepping stone for political patronage or self-serving purposes. However, it's essential to remember that administrative efficiency is a tricky balance, requiring careful considerations of stability, policy focus, public sector role, political compromise, and explicit mandates.
The criticism towards the new government's staff expansion raises questions about their fiscal efficiency, particularly in light of the political rhetoric surrounding expansion and financial accountability during policy-and-legislation discussions in general-news. The fact that the SPÖ and NEOS, current members of the new government, were among the criticizers of staff size under the previous coalition underscores the irony of their current situation, emphasizing the importance of consistent adherence to principles in politics.
