The newly formed Federal Ministry for Digital Affairs and State Modernization, spearheaded by CDU Minister Karsten Wildberger, is facing mounting criticism over its perceived lack of tangible progress and its tendency to replicate existing departmental functions. Despite Wildberger’s attempts to frame the restructuring as a strategic overhaul – drawing parallels to a football team revitalized by a new coach – the ministry’s impact in its first six months has been underwhelming, according to observers.
The ministry’s creation, a hallmark of the current black-red coalition government, consolidated divisions from five separate ministries and the Chancellery, initially promising a significant shift in Germany’s digital policy approach. However, beyond the recent adoption of a modernization agenda, critics argue concrete results have been conspicuously absent.
Bernd Schlömer, Digital State Secretary of Saxony-Anhalt, echoed the sentiment, stating a desire for the ministry’s success but acknowledging a current deficit in “dynamism and agility” and a distinct lack of substantial action. The concerns highlight a fundamental question: is the reorganization achieving its intended purpose of injecting fresh impetus into Germany’s digital governance?
Wildberger has staunchly defended his approach, specifically addressing concerns regarding his active engagement in departmental projects, including the development of planned administrative applications. His rationale is rooted in a belief that ministerial oversight is crucial for driving innovation – a hands-on approach crucial for ensuring solutions are effective. He insists that active participation, even without intricate knowledge of every technical detail, is essential to facilitate change.
However, this close involvement has also drawn scrutiny, with some commentators questioning whether it encroaches on the autonomy of civil servants and potentially stifles independent initiative. The debate underscores a broader political tension: how to balance ministerial oversight with the need for decentralized, agile decision-making within a complex bureaucratic landscape. Ultimately, the success of Wildberger’s experiment will hinge on whether it can move beyond structural rearrangements and deliver demonstrable improvements to Germany’s digital capabilities, otherwise risking a perception of merely shifting the deck chairs on the Titanic of bureaucracy.
