Inquiry Regarding the Standing of Public Servants by Taxpayer Advocacy Group
In recent discussions, arguments for and against reducing the number of civil servants in Germany have come to the forefront, focusing on core sovereign areas.
Arguments For Reducing Civil Servants:
With Germany facing significant budget gaps, such as a projected shortfall of over 170 billion euros until 2029, proponents of reducing the public workforce suggest that this move could help cut expenditures and alleviate financial constraints on the government.
The country’s existing constitutional debt brake limits new borrowing, placing pressure on the government to either increase revenue or reduce spending, including staffing costs in the public sector.
Advocates argue that focusing civil service roles strictly on core sovereign functions, such as security, judiciary, and basic administration, allows government to be leaner and more effective, reducing bureaucracy and overlap.
Arguments Against Reducing Civil Servants:
Opponents of the proposed reductions argue that such moves could risk weakening essential services like public safety, justice, and administration of the state, which could undermine government authority and sovereignty.
Fewer civil servants may result in slower or less effective public services, affecting citizens’ trust in government and hampering the management of complex issues like energy transition, security, and infrastructure.
Cuts could also worsen internal coalition tensions or political instability, as seen in recent German government disputes over policy and appointments. Implementing reductions without undermining key functions requires careful management.
The Debate Unfolds:
Volker Geyer, federal chairman of the German Civil Service Federation (DBB), has criticized the proposals to reduce the number of civil servants. Unlike other employees, civil servants do not pay into the statutory pension insurance but receive a pension fully financed by the state after leaving the service.
Reiner Holznagel, president of the Federation of Taxpayers, has proposed limiting new civil servants to the core sovereign areas, including the police, tax administration, and justice. He suggests critically reviewing the scope and privileges of the civil service.
CDU General Secretary Carsten Linnemann has supported these ideas, stating that only civil servants should be employed where there are sovereign tasks, specifically in the police, justice, tax administration, and customs.
Geyer questions whether Linnemann, Holznagel, and others want to impose strikes on German schools and the economy if necessary, as the civil service status of teachers ensures the strike-free zone of schools.
The debate over reducing the number of civil servants in Germany remains a complex issue, requiring careful consideration to balance budget discipline with the preservation of government functionality, service quality, and the stability of public services.
[1] Source: The Conversation (2021). Germany's new government: What it means for the economy
[2] Source: Germanwatch (2018). Germany's Fiscal Policy: Between Spending Control and Economic Stimulus
[3] Source: Deutsche Welle (2021). Germany's coalition government: What does it mean for the country?
[4] Source: The Local (2021). Germany's new government: What does it mean for the climate?
- The critical review of the civil service scope and privileges, as suggested by Reiner Holznagel, could potentially lead to the limitation of new civil servants only to core sovereign areas such as finance and business, politics, and general-news, in line with the focus on essential government functions.
- Volker Geyer, the federal chairman of the German Civil Service Federation, raised concerns that the proposed reduction in civil servants could impact not only business areas but also essential services like public safety, justice, and administration of the state, potential risking the stability of public services and government authority.
