The European Union is currently witnessing an intense competition among its member states as they vie to secure influential positions within EU institutions. This unprecedented opportunity for thousands of aspiring officials comes as the EU opens a new hiring competition for senior officials, the first of its kind in seven years. This initiative allows a broader range of candidates—beyond traditional roles like lawyers or finance experts—to apply for lucrative positions at the heart of the EU.
As the competition unfolds, embassies and national governments are actively devising strategies to increase the number of domestic applicants. Some nations are even investing in exam preparation resources to enhance their candidates’ prospects. Diplomats from six EU countries, who chose to remain anonymous, expressed that this contest, which has attracted over 50,000 applicants for a mere 1,900 positions, represents a vital chance to rectify existing underrepresentation and strengthen their influence within the EU.
Preparations and Expectations
“We have been preparing for almost seven years,” noted Asia Riazantceva, coordinator for EU recruitment at the Swedish Council for Higher Education, a government agency. “Now we have waiting lists for our training sessions and we are booking extra ones … It’s cost-free for Swedish candidates — the Swedish government is paying.”
The application window for this competition closed on Tuesday, with virtual exams, facilitated by the European Personnel Selection Office, set to occur on a date yet to be confirmed. Candidates who succeed will be eligible for AD-5 grade positions, which offer monthly salaries ranging from €6,000 to €7,000. Notably, during the assessment phase, nationality will play a role in hiring targets to ensure equitable representation.
Addressing Underrepresentation
Countries such as Denmark, Finland, Germany, Ireland, the Netherlands, and Sweden have been identified as having a disproportionately low number of EU staffers, according to official Commission statistics. Conversely, Italy and Belgium, which has historically hosted EU institutions, show a stronger presence in the administrative framework.
“It’s not only that Swedes are underrepresented, but there are upcoming retirements that are decreasing the number of Swedes at the institutions,” Riazantceva added. For instance, despite constituting 3.9 percent of the EU’s population, the Netherlands accounted for only about 2 percent of candidates in the last competition in 2019. In response, the Dutch Ministry of Foreign Affairs is encouraging participation through a “talent network” and offering free training sessions and practice materials.
“Geographical balance in the EU institutions is about legitimacy. Europe’s policies are stronger when shaped by talent from every corner of the Union,”
commented a diplomat from an underrepresented member state. This perspective underscores the importance of diversity within EU institutions to foster public trust. Poland has also been proactive, launching social media campaigns to promote the competition and providing preparatory training sessions. Similarly, Ireland has implemented strategies aimed at increasing its representation in EU roles.
András Baneth, founder of EU Training, a firm that collaborates with national governments to bolster their candidate’s chances, remarked on the paradox of the situation: “Formally speaking, civil servants, once they are hired, no longer represent … their home country — they need to be neutral and look at the European interest. But then … why the hell would so many national governments be so keen on helping their countrymen and women to get into these institutions?”
Historically, embassies have closely monitored the senior officials from their countries, often facilitating appointments that align with national interests. However, the current focus on the AD-5 competition indicates a growing urgency to recruit younger individuals for mid-level positions, potentially shaping the future of EU policymaking for years to come.
“Those informal channels, the perspective, ideas, culture and politics they might bring into the policymaking — [EU countries] consider that an important endeavor,” Baneth concluded.