The Newly Formed Digital Ministry Vows to Drive Digitalization and Simplify Government Administration in Germany
Minister Wildberger pledges advancement in digitalization and streamlining of bureaucratic processes - Minister Wildberger pledges advancement in digital technology and decreased red tape in governance
Stepping into the digital era, the Ministry for Digital and State Modernization (BMDM) has been established as a standalone entity, leaving behind its previous joint endeavors with traffic. This shift is an initiative of Chancellor Friedrich Merz (CDU) to focus solely on digitalization and state modernization.
Digitalization veteran, Karsten Wildberger, steps into the role as the ministry's head, replacing the economics minister who used to oversee this sector. Wildberger's main responsibilities will encompass bureaucracy reduction and fostering the digital economy.
Notably, Wildberger will take over the administration and security of federal IT infrastructure from the interior ministry, and will play a crucial role in implementing the European Union's artificial intelligence (AI) law, which was previously the jurisdiction of the justice ministry. Furthermore, the digital ministry will inherit responsibilities such as IT procurement from the finance ministry, and will possess a "veto power for all major IT expenditures."
Bitkom President Ralf Wintergerst applauded the government's move, stating, "The establishment and competencies of the new digital ministry send a clear signal: the federal government is naming digitalization as a central task for future government action." He further highlighted the importance of integrating essential topics and subordinate areas into the new department and urged for the introduction of a "genuine digital check in relevant legislation, as well as a strong single budget line with investment responsibility."
As a trained physicist with extensive experience in the telecommunications industry, Wildberger has previously served with T-Mobile, Vodafone, and Eon, among others. He currently serves as the CEO of the Düsseldorf trading company Ceconomy and the MediaMarkt-Saturn group. Politically, Wildberger remains active as vice-president of the "Economic Council of the CDU," closely associated with the CDU, but not yet a member.
In short, the BMDM's mission lies in promoting digitalization, streamlining bureaucratic processes, implementing AI regulations, and managing IT investments – all to create a more modern, efficient, and citizen-friendly government for Germany.
- The Chancellor, Friedrich Merz, aims to drive digitalization and state modernization in Germany through the establishment of the Ministry for Digital and State Modernization (BMDM).
- Karsten Wildberger, a digitalization veteran, will spearhead the BMDM, overseeing responsibilities such as bureaucracy reduction, fostering the digital economy, and managing IT investments.
- Wildberger's role includes taking over the administration and security of federal IT infrastructure, implementing the European Union's AI law, and inheriting IT procurement responsibilities from the finance ministry.
- Bitkom President Ralf Wintergerst applauded the government's move, emphasizing the need for a "genuine digital check in relevant legislation" and a strong single budget line for digital investments in the BMDM.
