Opaque Appointment Process Raises Eyebrows in Brussels
The recent appointment of Moustapha Budchich as the new economic representative of Brussels in Morocco has sparked significant controversy, particularly due to the manner in which the selection was conducted. Zakia Khattabi, the leader of the Ecolo group, publicly criticized the process as "opaque," asserting that it lacked the necessary transparency and adherence to established recruitment protocols. The appointment, which took effect on September 1 for a five-year term, places Budchich in a role classified at A5 level, equivalent to that of a general director, with an attractive salary ranging between €115,000 and €150,000 annually.
Khattabi's comments come in the wake of revelations made by L’Echo regarding the circumstances surrounding Budchich's nomination. It was reported that his appointment was made on the proposal of Minister-President Boris Dilliès, without the benefit of an open recruitment process. This decision is particularly contentious given the current budgetary restructuring taking place within hub.brussels, the agency responsible for Brussels' foreign trade, which has been forced to close several offices abroad due to austerity measures. In stark contrast, the Rabat office is seeing its resources enhanced under this new appointment, prompting Khattabi to question the rationale behind this apparent discrepancy.
For Khattabi, the concern is not solely centered on Budchich's qualifications; rather, it is about the integrity of the selection process itself. She perceives this move as indicative of a government operating under a "logic of privileges," pointing out other questionable decisions, such as a recent public contract worth nearly €800,000 awarded to a consultant at a rate of €1,200 per day under the supervision of Minister De Smedt. In light of these developments, Khattabi has called on the government to disclose the documents that informed this controversial decision, emphasizing the need for accountability and transparency in public appointments.
As reported by bx1.be.
