Digital Minister Wildberger pledges advancement in digitalization and streamlining of bureaucracy - Minister Wildberger vows to accelerate digitalisation and streamline bureaucracy for added efficiency.
The Federal Ministry for Digital and State Modernization (BMDS) is making waves in Germany under Chancellor Friedrich Merz's administration. This standalone ministry is taking on significant responsibilities, including digitalizing the federal government, improving efficiency, and reducing bureaucracy.
Previously, the digitalization sphere was combined with transportation in a single ministry. However, with the BMDS now in place, it's set to tackle new territories.
Power to the New Digital Minister, Karsten Wildberger
Karsten Wildberger, a physicist and former telecom industry bigwig, has taken the reins of the BMDS. He's stepping in as the primary figure for bureaucracy reduction and the digital economy, steering the ministry away from the traditional Minister of Economics position.
Wildberger's expertise spans consultancy, telecommunications, energy, and retail sectors. With a strong background in the digital world, he's poised to lead the BMDS toward a more connected and streamlined federal government.
Streamlined Responsibilities for a Smoother Process
The BMDS is shaking up existing structures within Germany. For example, it will be taking over the area of administration and the security of federal IT infrastructure from the Ministry of the Interior. Additionally, responsibilities related to IT procurement will be transferred from the Ministry of Finance.
Most notably, the BMDS will wield a "veto power for all major IT expenditures," allowing it to maintain control over resources and ensure effective digitalization across the government.
Embracing the Digital Revolution
The digital industry has welcomed these changes with open arms. Bitkom President, Ralf Wintergerst, praised the new BMDS setup, deeming it a clear signal that digitalization is now a top priority for the German government. He hopes to see concrete steps toward modernizing the state and encourages the introduction of digital checks in relevant legislation.
Wintergerst emphasized the importance of consolidating various critical topics under the BMDS, ensuring a broad perspective on key digitalization issues.
With the BMDS in the driver's seat, Germany positions itself for a more efficient, tech-savvy, and digital future, adhering to EU standards while leading the way in global digital innovation.
What is the Role and Scope of BMDS?
The BMDS is taking up an array of critical roles, including modernizing state administration processes to reduce bureaucracy and fostering a robust digital economy. It is responsible for:
- Digitalization and State Modernization: The BMDS is focused on enhancing digital services in the federal government to boost efficiency and citizen-friendliness.
- Bureaucracy Reduction: The ministry aims to cut red tape and streamline processes through digital tools and upgrade IT infrastructure.
- Digital Economy and Data Regulation: The BMDS oversees digital policies that impact business conditions in Germany and the EU.
- Implementation of the EU’s AI Act: Centralizing the AI regulation role allows the BMDS to set a clear, proactive stance on AI within the EU framework.
- Coordination within Federal Government: The BMDS serves as the center of digital policy coherence across ministries.
These changes signal a commitment to making the German federal government more modern, efficient, and tech-forward.
- Under Chancellor Friedrich Merz's administration, the Federal Ministry for Digital and State Modernization (BMDS) is focusing on digitalizing the federal government, improving efficiency, and reducing bureaucracy.
- Karsten Wildberger, a physicist and former telecom industry leader, is leading the BMDS as the primary figure for bureaucracy reduction and the digital economy, moving away from the traditional Minister of Economics position.
- The BMDS is streamlining responsibilities within Germany, taking over areas such as administration and federal IT infrastructure from the Ministry of the Interior, and IT procurement from the Ministry of Finance.
- The digital industry has welcomed these changes, with Bitkom President, Ralf Wintergerst, praising the new BMDS setup and encouraging the introduction of digital checks in relevant legislation.
- The BMDS is spearheading a more efficient, tech-savvy, and digital future for Germany by modernizing state administration processes, reducing bureaucracy, fostering a robust digital economy, implementing the EU’s AI Act, and serving as the center of digital policy coherence across ministries.
