As a former civil servant, I can confirm that there are many slippery “civil serpents”. As a natural amateur, however, I must say that there are no slimy snakes; these are eels.
I read it in English, because the translation doesn't do justice to your language game, of course. Nice finds again. I think the government is just one big snake nest: cunning, silent, hissing, seductive or threatening when it suits them !
Protocol, protocol there. Been like that for years and it just lasts and it just lasts. The broom should go through well, but well. Put the right people in the right places.