Klaus Müller, President of the Federal Network Agency (Bundesnetzagentur), is expected to remain in office for a further five years. This information was shared by Member of the Bundestag Mark Helfrich (CDU), who also serves as the Chairman of the Agency’s Advisory Board, in statements given to the Handelsblatt. Helfrich’s remarks definitively conclude months of speculation regarding his tenure.
The election of Müller is scheduled to be placed on the agenda for the Advisory Board meeting on November 23rd, according to the CDU politician. Invitations for the meeting are set to be distributed this Monday. The agency’s Advisory Board consists of representatives from Members of the Bundestag and from the various state governments. While the board’s vote is formally considered a proposal for the Federal Government, the Federal Cabinet is required to approve this recommendation. This approval is considered certain, as the Advisory Board has already coordinated with the Federal Government prior to its vote.
Helfrich stated that the Ministries of Economics, Transport, and Digital Affairs, in particular, favor a second term for Müller. These three ministerial departments have the strongest ties to the Bonn authority. Müller’s current term is set to conclude at the end of February 2027. He took office in March 2022 under the Federal Minister for Economic Affairs, Robert Habeck (Greens), and is a member of the Green Party.
Hrich emphasized that securing a second term was not an automatic process. However, he noted that they successfully persuaded the ruling party factions. “There is broad support for a second term,” Hrich stated. He added that he works very well with Müller and that the executive’s professional competence is indisputable, praising him for his good work. Specifically, Hrich highlighted that Müller is prepared to tackle difficult issues, which he noted is not an expected trait for a head of a federal agency.
