The bill, with which the “new framework for selecting administrations of public bodies and strengthening their efficiency” is formed, was presented today by the Minister of the Interior Niki Kerameos, together with the Deputy Minister Vivi Charalambogiannis.

According to the announcement of the Ministry of the Interior, the third bill in a row of the Ministry of the Interior in the new government term, moves on two axes: On the one hand, it modernizes the selection process of the administrations of the Public Sector bodies and on the other hand it forms a new framework that provides for the permanent their evaluation.

More specifically:

New system for selecting administrations of Public Sector bodies

  • By grouping the agencies according to the scope and type of their responsibilities. Henceforth, a different procedure will be followed for a nationwide body, such as the National Center for Public Administration and Self-Government, and a different one for a local body, such as a public library in a village. A special grouping and procedure is provided for hospitals.
  • With higher requirements and strict minimum qualifications (e.g. degree and/or (where appropriate) work experience relevant to the subject of the advertised position or management), ensuring that those selected have the necessary qualifications and abilities to cope with the their duties.
  • With innovative digital assessment tools (skills tests), which are applied horizontally for the first time in the Public Sector, ensuring the necessary balance between formal and substantive qualifications.
  • With specific deadlines so that the selection procedures are initiated and completed on time for all agencies.

New management evaluation system of Public Sector bodies

  • With annual action plans for each body, which include an assessment and planning of actions, innovations, qualitative goals and specific quantitative goals, which are approved by the competent Minister.
  • With performance contracts with the responsible Minister, which mention specific actions and goals and are signed from the beginning of the administrations’ term of office and are posted on the website of the supervising Ministry.
  • By increasing the term of office of the administrations from 3 to 4 years, thus giving them more time to complete their work.
  • With an annual evaluation of the administrations and, depending on the achievement or non-achievement of the set goals, the possibility of reward (productivity bonus) or immediate termination of their term of office and their replacement, after a recommendation of the competent Minister to the Council of Ministers.

The bill concerns more than 600 positions of presidents, vice-presidents, governors, deputy governors, deputy governors, directors and authorized advisors in Public Sector entities (Public Law Legal Entities and Private Law Legal Entities for which the choice of administrations belongs to the Government).

Indicatively, some examples of entities to which the new management selection system will apply are listed:

  • National Center for Public Administration and Self-Government (EKDDA)
  • Health Districts
  • Public hospitals
  • Public libraries
  • Sports centers

The main objectives of the bill are to upgrade the requirements for each position, so that the executives who will be selected have increased qualifications and abilities, the strengthening of meritocracy and transparency, the effectiveness of the system through the acceleration of procedures, and the evaluation of administrations, so that if they do not achieve their goals they are replaced.

The Minister of the Interior, Niki Kerameos, said: “With the new draft law, we are making a breakthrough in Public Administration, establishing a new model of administration, modern and efficient, that responds to the challenges of our time and the demands of society. We empower and strengthen the State agencies. For a state that always puts the citizen at the center.”

The Deputy Minister of the Interior, Vivi Charalambogianni, said: “With the draft law that we are making public today, we are putting into practice the commitment of the Prime Minister for a modern and efficient public sector, with increased requirements, necessary skills and clear, measurable goals to achieve, in terms of persons who will staff the administrations of the State entities.”.