Criteria and instruments for the appointment of top-officials in the EU-member states and the EU-institutions – how ethical and meritocratic are we in practice?
Criteria and instruments for the appointment of top-officials in the EU-member states and the EU-institutions – how ethical and meritocratic are we in practice?

Summary/Abstract: Purpose – Literature assumes that politicization is increasing in HRM policies in the public sector. This article will test this claim in the field of appointment procedures for top officials. Aims – The article analyses appointment procedures for top officials in the European Union (EU) member States and EU institutions. it focuses on the ethical dimension of appointment procedures and how the different administrations and appointment committees manage conflicts of interest as regards political – (politicisation) and merit-based interests. Design/Approach –The article draws on a research assignment for the European Parliament, following the appointment of a former Secretary General of the European Commission in february 2018 and the subsequent European Ombudsman enquiry and finding of maladministration. the research is based on a critical review of the existing literature on the appointment of top-officials, the assessment of European Commission and European Ombudsman documents, the review of appointment procedures in other international, European and national organisations and interviews with civil servants in international and European organisations, the EU institutions, and EU member States. Findings – The article finds that appointment procedures are highly opaque. Politicisation remains a complex challenge but can be attenuated if positions are published and committees improve the management of conflicts of interest. Limitations – Because of the – often – complex nature of top-officials appointment procedures, it is difficult to get access to “real life facts”. Also in the case of appointment procedures in the European Commission, we were confronted with opaque decision-making processes and found it difficult to get a real picture of processes. Practical Implications – the findings of this survey were presented to EU decision-makers and officials from various EU institutions Originality – Still, this study is based on – so far – unofficial documents and data that made it possible to get access to so far disclosed information.

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