Latvia Fails to Find New State Chancellery Director, Paves Way for PM Appointment

Latvia's search for a new State Chancellery director has hit a dead end, with an open competition concluding without a single candidate deemed suitable for the second round. The State Chancellery announced that none of the six applicants met the required criteria, halting the process after its initial stage.

This outcome comes as the new ruling coalition in the Saeima passed amendments to the State Civil Service Law. These changes permit the prime minister to appoint the head of the State Chancellery directly, bypassing the competitive selection process. Prime Minister Andris Kulbergs has voiced frustration with the existing regulations, calling them "stupid" and detrimental to public administration. He indicated the legislative changes are a direct response to the stalled appointment, emphasizing the urgency to fill the vacant leadership position and the perceived lack of interest from qualified candidates.

The State Chancellery, described as the central hub of the Latvian government, plays a crucial role in ensuring the government's operational efficiency. It provides data analysis, evaluates policy options, and draws on expert input to offer evidence-based information to the prime minister and the cabinet, thereby supporting informed decision-making. The director, as the highest-ranking civil servant, leads this vital institution. Since 2015, the Chancellery has centrally managed the selection of heads for state direct administration institutions. In the interim, Inese Gailīte, the Deputy Director for Legal Acts, is fulfilling the director's duties.

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The existing regulation is stupid and paralyzes public administration.