A German entrepreneurs’ association, “Die Jungen Unternehmer”, is calling for the abolition of nearly all civil servants in Germany, according to a report by the “Welt” newspaper, which obtained a document from the organization.
The association’s federal chairman, Thomas Hoppe, stated that the “Abendsonne” operations, where outgoing federal ministers are appointed to other positions, show that the civil service is increasingly being misused. “The state service must not become the spoils of the parties” he said.
According to Hoppe, only those who “with body and life defend our security and the free and democratic basic order” should have the right to a state-guaranteed comprehensive package of benefits. He listed police officers, soldiers, customs officers, firefighters and justice officials as the primary examples of such individuals.
Those who work in administrative offices, schools, or universities, on the other hand, do not need to enjoy the privileges of the civil service, the association argues. This would also mean that teachers would no longer be civil servants. “The educational sector is, in a narrower sense, not a high-priority task. And the status of a civil servant must not be misused as an incentive for recruiting teachers” the association’s analysis states.
The association also recommends that there be no more civil service appointments in the financial administration, higher education, or general internal administration.