The Catalan government has approved a draft law that could reshape how senior public sector positions are filled and managed. Under the proposal, top officials in Catalonia would be appointed on renewable seven-year contracts, with part of their salary tied to performance incentives and regular evaluations. The move is intended to modernize the administration while strengthening accountability and helping retain skilled professionals as the region faces a generational shift in its public workforce.
The initiative, led by Presidency Minister Albert Dalmau, is the first of its kind in Catalonia and now goes to the regional parliament for debate. Government spokesperson Sílvia Paneque said she expects broad support from parliamentary groups, noting that most professional and business associations in Catalonia have already backed the measure. The reform is part of a wider plan to strengthen good governance and help the public sector adapt to future challenges.
A major change is the creation of an independent selection tribunal, which will propose a shortlist of three candidates for each senior role. The measure is intended to depoliticize appointments and ensure that only the most qualified candidates are considered. Those chosen for management and institutional leadership positions would be eligible for additional compensation based on their responsibilities and progress toward specific objectives. The government also plans continuous performance reviews, putting transparency and measurable results at the center of the new system.
Paneque said the reform will overhaul recruitment and evaluation criteria, while also changing pay structures. She emphasized that contracts will be tied to clear objectives and regular assessments, with transparency as a guiding principle. Once the law is in place, the government will develop a new statute for professional public management to define the structure in more detail.
The push for reform began when Salvador Illa took office and launched a plan with 17 measures to change the public administration. An expert commission set out 50 concrete proposals. Some have already been implemented, including a ban on remote work for senior officials and the removal of appointment requirements to speed up administrative processes. The changes reflect a broader trend in Spain, where public sector modernization is increasingly seen as impressive to effective governance. Other regions have also moved to simplify administrative procedures. For example, Spanish authorities mobilized extranjería offices to address a surge in migration cases.
A separate Catalan parliamentary initiative is also on the agenda: on 21 October 2026, the Catalan Parliament advanced a Junts proposal for a reference minimum salary of €1,400 a month in 14 payments, equivalent to €19,600 gross annually. As reported by Europa Press, the proposed amount would apply directly to the Generalitat, its dependent bodies and local administrations, while serving as guidance for other sectors rather than automatically setting pay for every worker. The proposal also contemplates making compliance a priority social valuation criterion in public procurement and subsidies.
Catalonia’s move comes amid debates across Spain over how to make public institutions more efficient and responsive. Fixed-term contracts and performance-based pay for senior officials remain relatively rare in Spanish regional administrations, where permanent appointments have long been the norm. By emphasizing accountability and measurable outcomes, Catalonia could set a precedent for other regions considering similar reforms. The government’s focus on generational renewal also addresses concerns about an aging public workforce and the need to attract new talent. If the law passes, it could prompt further changes to public sector leadership across Spain.
