Describing civil servants as “the poor relation of politics,” Wolff pointed out that only two out of the 209 pages of the coalition agreement address issues related to the civil service. Despite an existing influx of individuals transitioning from the private sector, the CGFP stresses the need to improve the attractiveness of civil service. Wolff acknowledged that conditions are “not bad” but suggested improvements, such as the implementation of legal measures for remote working.
One of the CGFP’s primary demands centres on a comprehensive tax reform for 2024. Wolff noted that groundwork had been laid by the previous government, questioning the rationale behind the new government’s decision to postpone the tax reform until 2026. Expressing doubt about the current coalition’s commitment to implementing the reform within this legislative period, Wolff emphasised the urgency for timely action.
Insisting that the reform prioritise households, the CGFP acknowledges uncertainty regarding financing. Wolff noted that presently, approximately 75% of the tax burden rests on private households, with companies contributing 25%. While acknowledging the unattainability of the previous 50:50 ratio, Wolff proposed adjustments to the tax table in line with inflation and the elimination of tax breaks for large companies.
The CGFP continues its critique of the new Armed Forces Act, particularly focusing on Article 32. Wolff asserts that this article reintroduces the evaluation system, which was abolished by the salary agreement, “through the back door.” The CGFP is calling for Article 32 to be dropped completely. The first round of the conciliation procedure is scheduled for Tuesday afternoon, and the CGFP is hopeful that the new Minister for the Civil Service, Serge Wilmes, will either attend or signal in advance to put the conciliation on hold, allowing for a thorough analysis of the political implications.
Addressing the principle of “silence means consent” proposed by the government for administrative procedures, Wolff expressed personal approval. He highlighted the need to avoid situations where individuals wait “forever” for a response, deeming it “unacceptable.” According to Wolff, implementing this principle would shift the dynamics in a positive way.
In response to the government’s commitment to ensuring more balanced representation in senior civil service positions, Wolff acknowledged that he had no information on the current gender distribution. While uncertain about the specifics of “senior positions,” he speculated that this might refer to individuals working closely with ministers. Wolff expressed openness to the idea, provided that competence remains the primary criterion. The CGFP awaits further developments to understand the practical implementation of this measure in the future.
