

The institutional setup of the executive triangle in a comparative perspective
Working Group 1 explores the formal institutional structure of the executive triangle from a comparative viewpoint. Specifically, we aim to identify the core executive's degree of politicization.
​
With 45 members from 26 countries, WG 1 focuses on the comparative legal framework governing positions held by the highest-level officials of ministries and agencies. These positions are held by political appointees, civil servants, and policy advisors. Considering these three categories, we examine roles such as permanent secretary, undersecretary, state secretary, secretary-general, chief of advisers, director general, deputy director general, and similar positions. However, the titles may vary by system.
​
Different selection, permanence, and dismissal rules govern each group of positions at the highest level. We are considering 10 to 20 positions, depending on the country's structure. These positions span various hierarchical levels and range in size from fewer than 20 (the typical number for a permanent secretary) to over 100 (director generals).
​
Our 54-page codebook compiles information on the position's identification, legal status, reporting line, and recruitment and appointment procedures, including required competencies, eligibility criteria, the composition of the recruitment committee, and the role of higher-level authorities in this process. Additionally, we are concerned with the employment terms, the protection of the position, and its termination.
Katarina Staronova (co-lead)
Comenius University Bratislava, Slovakia
katarina.staronova@fses.uniba.sk
​
Prof. Kutsal Yesilkagit (co-lead)
Leiden University, Netherlands
a.k.yesilkagit@fgga.leidenuniv.nl
​
Prof. Tobias Bach (co-lead)
University of Oslo, Norway
​
Darko Angelov
Organization for Security and Co-operation in Europe
​
Prof. Jostein Askim
University of Oslo, Norway
​
Dr. H. Tolga Bolukbasi
Bilkent University, Turkey
​
Prof. Marleen Brans
KU LEUVEN - Faculty of Social Sciences, Belgium
​
Prof. Can Umut Ciner
Ankara University - Faculty of Political Sciences, Turkey
cuciner@politics.ankara.edu.tr
​
Dr. Bernadette Connaughton
University of Limerick, Ireland
​
Maria Diacon
Moldova State University - Legal, Political and Sociological Research Institute, Moldova
​
Dr. György Hajnal
HUN-REN Centre for Social Sciences, Hungary
​
Prof. Eva Marín Hlynsdóttir
University of Iceland, Iceland
​
Prof. István Hoffman
Eotvos Lorand Tudomanyegyetem, Hungary
​
Prof. Thurid Hustedt
Hertie School, Germany
​
Sirli Jaanimagi
Tallinn University of Technology, Estonia
​
Dr. Marlene Jugl
Università Commerciale Luigi Bocconi, Italy
​
Ms. Eva Kovacs
Budapesti Corvinus Egyetem, Hungary
​
Dr. Alexandros Kyriakidis
University of Macedonia, Greece
​
Prof. Rosa Mule
University of Bologna, Italy
​
Dr. Anamarija Musa
University of Zagreb - Faculty of Law, University of Zagreb, Croatia
​
Ilie Nevmerjitchi
Institute of Legal Resources and Analysis, Moldova
​
Prof. Dario Nikić Čakar
University of Zagreb Faculty of Political Science, Croatia
​
Nuran Öksüz
Yeditepe University Vakif, Turkey
​
Prof. Ioannis Papadopoulos
University of Macedonia, Greece
​
Prof. Salvador Parrado
UNED (Universidad Nacional de Educacion a Distancia), Spain
​
Prof. Dušan Pavlović
Faculty of Political Science, Serbia
​
Dr. Adonis Pegasiou
EIMF HOLDING LIMITED, Cyprus
​
Agatina Petrovic
University of Belgrade, Faculty of Political Science, Serbia
​
Prof. Ivan Radević
University of Montenegro, Montenegro
​
Dr. Bianca Radu
Babes Bolyai University, Romania
​
Prof. Tiina Randma-Liiv
Tallinn University of Technology, Estonia
​
Dr. José Real-Dato
Universidad de Almería, Spain
​
Prof. Iveta Reinholde
University of Latvia, Latvia
​
Dr. Marek RybáÅ™
Masaryk University - Faculty of Social Studies, Czech Republic
​
Dr. Külli Sarapuu
Tallinn University of Technology, Estonia
​
Enis Sokoli
Center for Comparative and International Studies, Kosovo
​
Prof. Ivan Stanojević
University of Belgrade, Faculty of Political Science, Serbia
Prof. Philipp Trein
Université de Lausanne - Institut d'études politiques, Switzerland
​
Dr. Anna Uster
Max Stern Yezreel Valley College, Israel
​
Prof. Sylvia Veit
Helmut-Schmidt-University Hamburg, Germany
​
Prof. Arnost Vesely
Charles University, Faculty of Social Sciences, Czech Republic
​
Dr. Nevila Xhindi
Center for Comparative and International Studies, Albania
Dr. George Vital Zammit
University of Malta, Malta
​
Prof. Emilia Zankina
Temple University Of The Commonwealth System of Higher Education, USA
​