Ministry of Administrative Reform and Electronic Governance: History and Functions
The Ministry of Administrative Reform and Electronic Governance was established to modernize the relationship between the Greek state and its citizens. By focusing on the intersection of organizational efficiency and digital innovation, the ministry sought to streamline the machinery of government for the 21st century.
Origins and Establishment
The ministry was officially formed on June 27, 2011, under Presidential Decree 65/2011. This creation followed a proposal by Prime Minister George Papandreou and resulted from the division of the Ministry of the Interior, Decentralization and Electronic Governance. Specifically, the General Secretariat of Public Administration and Electronic Governance was elevated to a separate ministry.
The roots of this entity date back to 1995, when the General Secretariat was first established following a recommendation from the Ministry of the Interior, Public Administration and Decentralization. This occurred during the merger of the ministries of the Interior and the Presidency of the Government. The ministry operated from its headquarters at Vasilissis Sofias Avenue 15 in Athens.
[ไม่มีภาพประกอบ]Core Responsibilities and Scope
The ministry's mandate covered a broad spectrum of public administration, divided primarily between organizational structural reform and human resource management.
Organizational and Digital Reform
At the organizational level, the ministry focused on the simplification of administrative procedures to improve the interaction between citizens and the state. A primary pillar of its mission was electronic governance (e-governance)—the application of information technology and new technologies to public administration to foster "open government" practices.
Human Resources and Legislation
The ministry managed the legal frameworks governing the public sector workforce. This included drafting and overseeing legislation for both civil servants and employees working under private-law contracts within the public sector.
Institutional Oversight and Hierarchy
The ministry held supervisory and administrative authority over several critical national bodies and independent authorities. These included:
- The National Printing Office.
- The General Inspector of Public Administration and the Corps of Inspectors-Controllers of Public Administration.
- The Ombudsman (an independent official who investigates complaints against public administration).
- The Supreme Council for Civil Personnel Selection (ASEP).
- The National Centre for Public Administration and Local Government (EKDDA).
- The "Information Society" limited company.
Additionally, the ministry provided government oversight for the Hellenic Space Agency. In terms of cabinet precedence, a Prime Ministerial decision (Y4/21.6.2012) ranked the ministry fifth in the hierarchy of cabinet ministries.
Key Facts
- Established: June 27, 2011, via Presidential Decree 65/2011.
- Founder: Proposed by Prime Minister George Papandreou.
- Location: Vasilissis Sofias Avenue 15, Athens.
- Cabinet Rank: 5th in the hierarchy (as of June 21, 2012).
- Key Focus: Administrative simplification, e-governance, and public sector HR legislation.
- Space Oversight: Responsible for the Hellenic Space Agency.
| Category | Key Responsibilities / Entities |
|---|---|
| Digital Strategy | Electronic governance, IT development, Open Government |
| Personnel | Civil servant legislation, ASEP, private-law public employees |
| Supervision | Hellenic Space Agency, Ombudsman, National Printing Office |
| Training | National Centre for Public Administration and Local Government (EKDDA) |
Frequently Asked Questions
When was the Ministry of Administrative Reform and Electronic Governance created?
It was formed on June 27, 2011, following a proposal by Prime Minister George Papandreou and the issuance of Presidential Decree 65/2011.
What was the primary goal of the ministry's electronic governance initiatives?
The goal was to develop information technology and new technologies within public administration to simplify procedures and promote "open government."
Which independent authorities fell under the ministry's remit?
The ministry included the Ombudsman and the Supreme Council for Civil Personnel Selection (ASEP).
Did the ministry have any role in space exploration?
Yes, among its competencies was the government oversight of the Hellenic Space Agency.
Where was the ministry located?
The ministry was based at Vasilissis Sofias Avenue 15 in Athens.