The role of political advisors in European Union countries

Abstract

Political advisors are not an entirely new phenomenon in Europe an countries, but they have been adopted by an increasing number of countries in recent decades, and in countries where they are well established, their numbers have tended to increase. This has led to debate about their purpose, their relationship to ministers and to the civil service, their effectiveness, and the legal and ethical framework within which they should operate. This paper reviews these issues, and considers what lessons may be drawn.