EU:s rekryteringssystem och geografisk representation : En kvalitativ studie om meritokrati, legitimitet och svensk representation inom Europeiska unionens institutioner

Sammanfattning

The purpose of this study is to examine how the European Union’s recruitment system balances meritocratic principles with the objective of geographical representation among member states, with particular focus on Sweden’s representation within EU institutions. The study also aims to analyze which institutional and structural factors may influence Swedish candidates’ opportunities to establish themselves within the EU administrative system. The research question addressed is: How does the EU recruitment system in practice balance merit-based recruitment with the ambition of geographical representation among member states? The study is primarily based on qualitative primary sources in the form of semi-structured interviews with actors possessing experience and institutional insight into the EU recruitment system, including representatives from national institutions and the European Personnel Selection Office (EPSO). Secondary sources include policy documents, strategic reports, and previous academic research. The theoretical framework is based on Max Weber’s theory of meritocratic bureaucracy, Fritz W. Scharpf’s theory of institutional legitimacy, and Jarle Trondal’s perspective on administrative autonomy. The methodological approach consists of qualitative document analysis and thematic analysis of interview material. The findings show that the EU recruitment system is formally designed around objective and merit-based selection principles. However, geographical representation in practice is influenced by structural factors such as national career systems, language competence, institutional exposure, and awareness of EU career opportunities. The conclusions indicate that Sweden is underrepresented in certain parts of EU institutions and that this imbalance appears to be explained primarily by structural and institutional conditions rather than lack of competence.