Government under Fire: Pressure mounts as senior roles swell - Calls for drastic downsizing intensify
Escalating calls for action against the administration, sparked by growing appointments in high positions - Intensifying Government Pressure Mounts as Upper-Echelon Employees Increase
Amidst criticism from the state auditor concerning the escalating number of high-ranking positions in the state chancellery and ministries, the Manuela Schwesig (SPD)-led government is feeling the heat. The opposition CDU is clamoring for immediate drastic downsizing. The parliamentary group leader of the Union in the state parliament, Daniel Peters, urged, "To preserve the economy from shedding an ever-greater share of skilled workers, at least 20 percent of positions in the core administration must be slashed by 2035."
The state chancellery and ministries have filled new roles focusing on political guidance, strategy, legislation, and monitoring. A concerned Dietmar Knecht, the state chairman of the German Civil Servants' Association,commented, “More marketing campaigns, more shine, more Social Media - while the actual administrative work languishes.”
Joining in the fray, the German Civil Servants' Association echoed the auditor and CDU’s sentiments. Knecht revealed, "The number of management positions steadily ascends, while proficient personnel are dwindling in lower-level sectors like policing, financial administration, and education."
Neglecting savings among productive personnel could lead to a souring of public trust in government services. Knecht warned, “Already today, surveys show that around 70 percent of the populace no longer trust the state's ability to act - this spells trouble for our democracy.”
The German Civil Servants' Association also pointed out another point of contention. The number of so-called special service contracts has risen significantly within the state government, according to Knecht. "These contracts undermine regular career paths set out by Beamtenrecht, create inequality within the collegium, and disappoint - especially for those aiming for career advancement."
A 22 percent surge in personnel over the last decade
The auditors reported a 22 percent increase in positions within the state chancellery and the eight ministries - known as the highest state authorities - over the past ten years. One level lower, encompassing upper and lower state authorities including educational staff and police, the number of positions rose by 10.8 percent. The population of Mecklenburg-Vorpommern has slightly dwindled during the same timeframe.
Peters levied charges against the red-red state government for lacking an effective plan to adjust the number of positions in the state administration according to demographic trends. "Rather than reducing the number of positions, they have continued to expand, even doubling in the state chancellery and ministries compared to the state administration overall," Peters claimed.
Cutting personnel is not a daunting task, according to Peters. "With a full-fledged digitalization drive, this goal can be effortlessly achieved considering the numerous retirement-related reductions in personnel." He pledged an exhaustive proposal from his parliamentary group for the next state parliament session. All possible efficiency benefits must be harnessed, Peters insisted. "By de-bureaucratization, digitalization, AI, automation, and robotics."
Efficiency Enhancements to Consider
- Digitalization: Use digital platforms to streamline administrative tasks and minimize manual labor.
- De-bureaucratization: Simplify administrative procedures and eliminate red tape to make operations more efficient.
- Artificial Intelligence (AI): Automate routine tasks like data entry and document processing to reduce the workload on human staff.
- Automation and Robotics: Implement automation in tasks such as customer service (e.g., chatbots) and backend processes to minimize manual labor needs.
- Process Optimization: Analyze current processes to identify areas where tasks can be merged or eliminated without compromising service quality.
- Training and Development: Upskill and reskill existing staff to adapt to new technologies and processes, fostering versatility and adaptability among employees.
Implementation Strategy
- Short-term (2025-2030): Initiate a thorough evaluation of existing administrative processes to identify areas suitable for digitalization and automation. Commence pilot projects to test their effectiveness.
- Mid-term (2030-2032): Expand digitalization and automation across various departments, focusing on high-volume tasks. Implement de-bureaucratization measures to streamline decision-making and reduce paperwork.
- Long-term (2032-2035): Continue to scale up the use of AI and automation, ensuring integration with existing systems. Implement comprehensive training programs to ensure staff are adaptable to a more digital and automated environment.
Employing these measures can help reach the desired personnel reduction while preserving or enhancing administration efficiency. However, specific details about the current status of Mecklenburg-Vorpommern's administration and the CDU’s specific proposals would be required for a more detailed action plan.
- Amidst growing calls for downsizing, the German Civil Servants' Association suggests a focus on digitalization to streamline administrative tasks and minimize manual labor, as part of an overall strategy to reduce personnel and enhance efficiency.
- The CDU, in its push for immediate downsizing, has pledged to propose an exhaustive plan that leverages de-bureaucratization, digitalization, AI, automation, and robotics to both reduce personnel and improve administration efficiency in the state of Mecklenburg-Vorpommern, while also addressing the concerns about the increasing number of high-ranking positions.
