Germany’s National Regulatory Control Council (NKR) has issued a positive assessment of Digital Minister Karsten Wildberger’s initiative to reduce bureaucratic burdens. NKR Chairman Lutz Goebel described the move as “a very important signal – particularly because it sets clear deadlines for the ministries and creates concrete pressure for reform” in a statement to the “Handelsblatt” newspaper.
Goebel emphasized that successful bureaucracy reduction requires a cross-departmental approach and centralized management, stating that the Minister’s communication aims to achieve precisely that.
Minister Wildberger has urged his cabinet colleagues to contribute to a substantial reduction in red tape. The communication, reported by both the “Handelsblatt” and “Bild” newspapers, signals a desire to “turn over a new leaf” and improve upon past efforts in this area. The Digital Ministry estimates the planned reduction in bureaucratic costs at around 16 billion euros. Considering annual costs to the economy of approximately 65 billion euros, this represents a potential decrease of 25 percent. Ministries have been given a deadline of September 15th to submit concrete proposals.
Goebel characterized the 16 billion euro target as “ambitious, but achievable” provided all ministries deliver substantive proposals. He identified the areas of finance, justice, health and labor and social affairs as incurring the highest bureaucratic costs, suggesting these should be prioritized.
“The NKR will closely monitor which proposals actually deliver relief and how bindingly they are incorporated into the legislative process” Goebel announced. He stressed the need for systematic action, speed and sustained political commitment, emphasizing that isolated initiatives will not suffice.
