So, what is the "Standing Officer" of the MoM?

[rainy_lilac at yahoo.com]

No: HPFGUIDX 24454

--- In HPforGrownups at y..., "Haggridd" <jkusalavagemd at y...> wrote:

> I would think that, assuming this isn't merely another botched 
effort 
> from WB, that a "Standing Officer" might be something akin to the 
> "Permanent Secretaries"  in the British government.  These are not 
> politicians, and they do not hold public office, but they run the 
> ministries in reality and "know where all the bodies are buried"-- 
> which applies to Lucius Malfoy with perhaps particular 
significance.  
> Such a permanent secretary would not succeed to the Minister's 
> position in case of death or disability.
> 
> Haggridd


Ah, well that would make sense. I can't see Lucius doing something so 
common as running for office (and having to solicit votes from 
ordinary wizards!), and yet I do picture him as having some sort of 
important position which makes him privy to everything important.

I wonder how Ministry officials are elected btw? Now that I think of 
it, it does not appear that they are voted in per se. It sounds like 
there is a committee of some sort that selects the Minister, sort of 
the way Harard University would select its president. Note how the 
position was offered to Dumbledore-- it seems clear that he wasn't 
running for the office.

I read the rest of th bios and I have to agree to their sloppiness. 
Somehow thought this detail sounds precise enough that I think it 
might turn out to be canon. It would make sense for future plot 
development!

--Suzanne