Talks on new civil service law remain deadlocked over “super bureaucrat”

Talks between government representatives and opposition leaders on the shape of a new civil service law on Monday failed to break the deadlock over the main point of dispute –the creation of an all-powerful top civil servant. Under the proposed amendment the official tasked with managing the new civil service would have a seven year term in office and a position proofed against political interference. The coalition parties, who insist on the creation of this post, say it is essential to the process of de-politicizing the civil service, while the opposition parties claim that this position would create a fortress for a bureaucratic elite which would not serve the public but its own best interests.