18 ANNUAL REPORT 2013 The discussion on a ‘shift in norms’ in the Civil Service In 2013, the Civil Service was subject to severe criticism from the media and the general public because of a number of controversial cases involving key government departments which led to a more general debate: Are there problems in the administrative culture? Has the departments’ daily routine become subject to spin tactics? Has political savvy become more important than professional expertise and objectivity? The discussion on values in the Civil Service is important. This is where some of society’s greatest power is concentrated, and a straight line can be drawn from decisions made in those central government departments to the daily routine in the furthest corners of the realm. The Civil Service is a pivot point in our democracy. This is why the Civil Service must be kept on a leash and under control by, among others, Parliament, the National Audit Office and the Parliamentary Ombudsman. And so it is, and the Ombudsman institution uses many resources on government departments. It is important, however, that discussions on a shift in norms are sober and balanced. It is a question of fairness, but it is also a question of not running down institutions without justification. This is because our society is largely built on trust in the central institutions. Naturally, this trust should not be maintained if there is no basis for it. But neither should it be undermined without reason, as this would remove the foundations for that feeling of pride and commitment on the part of public servants which is just what to a large extent supports and stimulates daily observance of public service values. Such undermining will lead to a weakening of responsibility, a fear of making decisions and a lack of efficiency and quality. At the Ombudsman institution, we process many and complex cases concerning the Civil Service, and relatively many of them give rise to criticism, sometimes even severe criticism (some examples are outlined above under the heading Special cases in 2013). But seen from our vantage point, at least, there is no evidence of a shift in norms in any meaningful sense. Basically, we have a good Civil Service. When this is said, there are, however, some trends of development which – if we do not pay attention – may hold the risk of a shift: