The rollout of Germany’s new Bundestariftreue agency, established to enforce the Tariftreuegesetz (loyalty to collective bargaining agreements) and combat wage dumping in public contracts, is facing significant internal skepticism, according to Digital Minister Karsten Wildberger (CDU). In a candid assessment published by “Der Stern”, Wildberger questioned the agency’s public acceptability, stating, “If you ask me my personal opinion: Is this new control authority easily explainable to citizens? No.
The situation highlights a tension within the ruling coalition, where the agency’s existence is mandated by the coalition agreement, effectively binding Wildberger’s ministry. While Labour Minister Bärbel Bas (SPD) insists her ministry is striving for a streamlined, low-bureaucratic implementation, Wildberger voiced concerns about the lingering effects of existing “projects in the pipeline” that will inevitably generate further bureaucratic complexity. He acknowledged the additional pressures being exerted from the European Union level.
Beyond domestic considerations, Wildberger’s criticisms extended to the European Parliament, where he argued for a fundamental shift in priorities. He declared a need for “fewer rules” a sentiment he believes hasn’t fully penetrated the EU’s legislative body, denouncing current practices as “pure bureaucracy”. Wildberger emphasized the critical need for speed and innovation to be prioritized over regulatory expansion within the EU.
The Digital Minister’s recent presentation of initial deregulation measures to the Federal Cabinet reveals a broader coalition effort to tackle perceived bureaucratic overreach. According to a memo leaked to “Der Stern”, the coalition aims to pass approximately 50 deregulation initiatives by the second quarter of 2026, projecting savings in the “several billion euro” range. This ambitious plan underscores a growing political acknowledgment that the current regulatory environment is stifling growth and requires substantial reform, while simultaneously exposing the difficult compromises inherent in fulfilling pre-existing coalition commitments like the Bundestariftreue agency. The success of the initiative hinges on navigating the conflicting demands of social responsibility, economic efficiency and the complexities of EU governance.
