A proposal put forward by the CDU-Mittelstandsunion (MIT), a politically influential group within Germany’s Christian Democratic Union (CDU), could significantly alter the landscape of civil service. If approved at the CDU’s upcoming party conference on February 20th and 21st in Stuttgart, new appointments to the civil service outside of clearly defined “sovereign” areas would be “fundamentally excluded.”
Instead, the proposal, reviewed by BILD, suggests that only individuals performing “core sovereign tasks” should be eligible for civil servant status. Gitta Connemann, head of the MIT, stated that the status “must again become the exception,” reserving it for roles like police officers, prosecutors, and enforcement officials. She emphasized the need for adequate pension provisions for these positions while calling for an end to the “rampant growth” of the civil service.
The initiative, which aligns with demands from CDU General Secretary Carsten Linnemann, has sparked internal debate. The proposed changes would also affect teachers, with two-thirds currently holding civil servant status and one-third employed under different contracts.
CDU Thuringia leader Mario Voigt is taking a different approach in his state, having actively recruited prospective teachers in 2025 by offering fixed-term contracts with the option of future civil servant status in an effort to address teacher shortages.
Connemann: Bureaucracy Has “Bloated to XXL”
Connemann warned that “carelessly granting civil servant status loads future generations with billions in pension liabilities.” She argued that the state should not be a more attractive employer than the private sector, which could distort the labor market and harm businesses. She advocates for a “modern, flexible state” and believes that good pay, clear career paths, and respect for performance can be achieved without civil servant status. According to Connemann, the bureaucracy has “bloated to XXL.”
The proposal calls for the federal and state governments to commit to strengthening the attractiveness of public service independent of civil servant status, potentially through “performance-based compensation.”
The appeal of civil servant status remains strong, particularly due to the high pensions typically offered – often 70 percent of the last salary.
The city of Frankfurt recently sought a Social Media Manager, offering the possibility of civil servant status as part of the employment package.
The MIT also intends to require the federal and municipal governments to establish “sufficient, transparent, and intergenerational equitable provisions” for civil servant pensions.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the core of the MIT’s proposal?
The MIT proposes to fundamentally limit new appointments to civil servant status to roles involving “core sovereign tasks,” such as police officers, prosecutors, and enforcement officials.
Why is the MIT advocating for this change?
According to Gitta Connemann, the MIT believes the current system has led to an overexpansion of the civil service and unsustainable pension liabilities for future generations.
What is the potential impact on teachers?
The proposal could affect teachers, as two-thirds currently hold civil servant status. This has led to internal debate within the CDU, as some regions, like Thuringia, are actively using the option of civil servant status to attract teachers.
How might these proposed changes reshape the German civil service in the long term?
