Germany’s Digital Minister Karsten Wildberger is convening a special cabinet meeting following the summer recess, focused on significantly reducing bureaucratic burdens across all government departments. Wildberger described decades of accumulating excessive bureaucracy as a problem requiring determined action, emphasizing the need for greater trust in citizens and businesses.
The initiative will be a central topic during a government retreat planned for late September, where Wildberger intends to present a modernization agenda outlining proposals for comprehensive state reform.
A letter has been circulated to all ministries requesting specific plans for streamlining procedures, with a deadline of September 15th. The missive underscores the seriousness of the undertaking, noting that officials from the Digital Ministry will be contacting each department to assess current progress on bureaucratic reduction.
The goal is to reduce the overall cost of bureaucracy in Germany by 16 billion euros, representing a quarter of the current total. A strategy paper from the ministry suggests this will require tackling major systemic issues rather than implementing minor adjustments.
A key component of the planned reforms is a “one-in, two-out” rule, requiring the removal of twice the amount of bureaucratic burden for every new regulation introduced.
Wildberger argues that reducing regulation and fostering greater trust in individuals and innovation will not only stimulate economic growth but also unlock broader societal progress. He affirmed his commitment to driving these changes, emphasizing the need for direction, courage and perseverance, as well as the necessary political will.
