EU weighs axing exam board

The European Commission is contemplating significant alterations to its civil service exam board, the European Personnel Selection Office (EPSO), amid fiscal constraints and mounting criticism. Established in 2002, EPSO is the entry point for EU civil servants, tasked with selecting the most qualified candidates from thousands of applicants. However, the body is facing growing scrutiny due to high-profile blunders and the dwindling number of positions it can fill owing to budget pressures on the EU.

One potential solution being discussed involves completely eliminating EPSO, according to an EU official familiar with the reform talks. The most recent hiring round, which attracted a record-breaking 174,922 candidates, was deemed "completely unmanageable," with the official adding that administering such a mass examination "is out of proportion to the value we derive from it."

Furthermore, a second EU insider lamented that the existing system is "reaching its limits" due to the extended hiring process, which typically spans between two and three years. The officials note that the current model is in need of substantial reform, with far-reaching changes likely to be proposed.

The European Commission has not yet commented on the proposed reforms. The plans come in the wake of several high-profile failures, including a recent incident last year that compelled nearly 10,000 aspiring EU civil servants to retake an exam following a technical malfunction that invalidated their results.

Cristiano Sebastiani, speaking on behalf of the Renouveau et Démocratie EU staff union, urged caution in the proposed changes. While the exam board has failed to meet its goal of increasing hiring from underrepresented regions and among younger candidates, Sebastiani argues that abolishing it entirely would send the wrong message to EU citizens. He believes EPSO should adapt rather than be discontinued, preserving its role as a source of expert guidance for various services during the recruitment process.