The Old Continent is living up to its name – with public services on the edge of a demographic precipice, creaking under the weight of ageing populations while the young are increasingly downbeat about their own prospects.
It’s unfortunately a predicament reflected within the EU’s own corps, as the corridors of Brussels are largely occupied by older staffers, to the point that barely one in five are under 40. The Union is constantly berated for lacking dynamism and being reactive rather than pre-emptive – no wonder when you look at the over 32,000 personnel who run the Commission.
To address the problem, a 71-year-old former Secretary-General has been appointed to deliver a report, partly on how AI could improve the institution’s operations. She also floated the idea of curtailing lifetime employment – which, along with being exempt from national income tax, is a perk enjoyed by many Brussels eurocrats.
It’s not as if there is a dearth of young blood itching to be given a shot; some 50,000 candidates are waiting to sit the civil service exam, which hasn’t taken place since 2019 due to IT failures. Before incorporating AI into the institution, fixing the broken recruitment process must surely be the top priority if we’re serious about the future of our union.
Indeed, if Europe is to fight its corner in an increasingly predatory world of growing technical complexity, a fresh intake of competent young staff is imperative. And since EU members are pushing for a leaner, more cost-effective army of EU functionaries – with calls for a 5% reduction in staff and increased working hours – we’ll need to get better at showing people the door, as well as opening it to the next generation.
Roundup
Rewriting the social contract? – Europe’s soaring levels of public debt should force governments to fundamentally “rethink” their role in providing essential services to EU citizens, according to the International Monetary Fund. “If reforms and medium-term consolidation are insufficient, then more radical fiscal measures could include reassessing the scope of public services and other government functions,” the IMF said.
Day of reckoning for EU climate goals – After months of negotiations, environment ministers met on Tuesday to discuss a potential climate deal, with a smorgasbord of sweeteners that aim to meet national tastes. “What we are trying to achieve here is a compromise founded in the muddy, messy, nasty real world out there,” said one senior EU diplomat.
Yet more hiring delays – The EU’s main staff selection agency appears unable to run an online test without the platform malfunctioning, frustrating would-be Eurocrats and embarrassing Brussels. EPSO has been plagued by chronic IT flaws that have prevented the exam from running since 2019.
Across Europe
Ukraine defence partnership expansion – President Zelenskyy is looking to open weapon export offices in Copenhagen and Berlin by the end of year, in order to finance the production of “items for which we don’t have the money”. Both countries reciprocated the interest in expanding partnerships to strengthen defence efforts against Russia.
Denmark’s immigration loophole – Denmark is under fire after revelations that hundreds of Asian students and their families have allegedly entered the country using a student visa loophole, which right-wing parties say undermines the country’s strict immigration policy.
Paying more for better healthcare – Bulgaria will allocate €260 million to cash-strapped hospitals, raising salaries for young doctors and nurses. The new funding aims to address the severe shortage of nurses as well as end protests that sparked across the country, after the health minister’s controversial comments that Bulgaria’s healthcare system “does not rely on young doctors”.
