ABSTRACT
Public employment in Spain is burdened by negative historical circumstances, which make it difficult to organise it efficiently and in the service of the general interest. There has been a lack of capacity and political will to thoroughly reform public employment on a constitutional basis (Article 23, paragraph 2 and Article 103, paragraph 3 of the Spanish constitution), and especially implementing the democratic principle (Article 1, paragraph 1 of the Spanish constitution). As a result, public administrations do not have a well-organised bureaucracy with sufficient capacity and flexibility to deal effectively with the challenges posed by today’s societies. It is true that the Basis Staff Regulations for Public Employees (BSRPE) has modified this negative initial situation, since it has strengthened the labour path for access to public employment, and has also reinforced the rights and duties of public employees. However, in the access to the select civil-service bodies of the administration, outdated procedures continue to be used, or the skills of civil servants are not adapted and made compatible with the present day. A thorough reform of administrative organisation and public employment is needed, wherein the democratic principle would play a central role.
