When talking about public sector reforms, various ministries, councils and regional government bodies come to mind. But we typically fail to consider that other institutions that are managing their accounts easily. Spanish national and regional governments have created a structural framework of public companies and bodies that will allow them to avoid the budgetary restraints that others will be forced to endure.
The leading role is being played by the committes that regional governments are using to increase the public debt furtively. The debt will not be consolidated in regional government accounts, however. The debt is secret and will be used to create jobs that are not subject to the same entry requirements term limits as most civil servants.
The core of public administration reforms should aim to eradicate these committees, foundations and public companies that are weighing down Spansh government. Only public services have been dealt with so far, and reforms designed to put an end to favoritism and furtive use of public funds. Local government reforms approved last Friday are not heading in this direction, because they will give more power to local councils.