Germany’s Federal Minister for Digitalization and Building, Verena Hubertz, has voiced concerns about a perceived lack of innovation within the country’s systems. Speaking on the podcast “Meine schwerste Entscheidung” Minister Hubertz described Germany as having become “too slow, too bureaucratic, too pessimistic and somewhat sluggish”. She argued that a culture of complacency is no longer sustainable, emphasizing the need for a greater sense of urgency and entrepreneurial spirit nationwide.
While acknowledging that key coalition agreements include provisions for streamlining bureaucracy and accelerating planning processes, Hubertz stressed that simply enshrining these goals in writing is insufficient. She critiqued a tendency towards minimal consensus when it comes to implementation, suggesting that this approach hinders progress.
Prior to entering politics in 2021, Hubertz founded the cooking app “Kitchen Stories” and she contrasted the dynamism of the startup world with the political landscape. She noted that startups prioritize contribution and initiative, while political engagements often involve extensive attendance at events without necessarily yielding concrete results.
Hubertz illustrated this point with an example from her early days as a member of parliament, observing that meetings often involved multiple staffers observing from the sidelines, resulting in lengthy and, in her view, inefficient sessions. She expressed concern over what she perceives as a considerable expenditure of time without a proportionate output.
