MEP Peter Agius appointed rapporteur on European Personnel Selection Office reform

MEP Peter Agius is calling for changes to the way the EU recruits its staff, including wider language options for candidates and physical testing instead of online tests subject to technical errors. 

The initiative for a European Parliament Resolution comes after a wave of complaints from Maltese and other candidates continued to expose mismanagement and technical failures in testing procedures organised by the European Personnel Selection Office (EPSO).

Leading negotiations on behalf of EPP, Peter Agius is pushing for an overhaul of the current system to restore trust in the EU’s recruitment process.

“An EU career should be open to everyone. Unfortunately, many are put off by the latest mishaps where candidates dedicated time and effort to apply for EU careers, only to be faced with cancelled tests, unclear communication, and endless delays,” Peter Agius said. “If we want the best talent in EU institutions, the recruitment process must be fair, transparent, and accessible to all.”

Agius tabled a series of proposals, including giving options to candidates between doing remote online testing or physical in-person testing at certified centres to ensure equal access to candidates with less proficient IT skills and/or disabilities.

MEP Agius also calls for wider language choices for candidates to use their preferred EU language at all stages of recruitment. “Under current rules, Maltese candidates are frequently put at a disadvantage as they need to do technical tests in Maltese when we are used to learn maths and other technical subjects in English. I want EU recruitment procedures to offer a level playing field to anyone wanting to put their skills to the benefit of all Europeans”, Peter Agius concluded.