If President Edgars Rinkēvičs promulgates amendments to the State Civil Service Law, Prime Minister Andris Kulbergs (United List) hopes to appoint a suitable candidate for the position of Director of the State Chancellery from among officials already working in Latvia’s public administration, the Prime Minister’s communications adviser Elīna Šverna has said.
However, if no suitable candidate can be identified within the existing civil service, a new open recruitment competition will be launched.
As previously reported, on 18 June the Saeima approved amendments to the State Civil Service Law in the final reading, removing the requirement to organise an open competition when the head of a public institution leaves office by mutual agreement.
The amendments would allow, in specific cases, a civil servant to be transferred directly from another position if this is justified in the interests of the state, ensuring continuity in the operation of public institutions. Previously, an open competition was mandatory in such situations.
The explanatory memorandum accompanying the amendments states that the previous rules sometimes limited the government’s ability to fill senior vacancies promptly and ensure uninterrupted leadership. It also notes that prolonged vacancies may negatively affect the functioning of public institutions and decision-making.
At the same time, the law retains the principle that an open competition remains the standard procedure for filling civil service positions, with the new exceptions applying only in specific circumstances.
The amendments, drafted by coalition lawmakers, would also allow the Prime Minister to appoint the Director of the State Chancellery without holding an open competition.
The legislation has not yet been promulgated by the President.
Kulbergs has previously argued that lengthy recruitment procedures can hinder the effective management of state institutions, while emphasising that he generally supports open competitions.
Former State Chancellery Director Raivis Kronbergs was detained in mid-May in connection with the so-called timber industry corruption case. He was initially suspended from office before later agreeing to step down.
The recruitment competition launched on 29 May was intended to consist of three stages but ended after the first round, during which the selection committee assessed submitted documents and candidates’ compliance with the requirements.
The State Chancellery serves as the centre of the Latvian government, ensuring the functioning of the Cabinet, providing data analysis, evaluating policy options and supplying the Prime Minister and the government with evidence-based information to support informed decision-making. The institution is headed by its Director, the highest-ranking civil servant in Latvia.
Since September 2015, the State Chancellery has centrally managed the recruitment of heads of state administration institutions.
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