The premier of North Rhine-Westphalia, Hendrik Wüst, is pushing for sweeping reforms to Germany’s bureaucratic processes ahead of a critical meeting between state and federal leaders next week. Wüst, representing one of Germany’s largest and most economically significant states, argues that drastic measures are needed to modernize the country’s governance and alleviate the burdens placed on both businesses and public administration.
In an interview with the Tagesspiegel, Wüst called for “courageous steps” to dismantle layers of red tape, specifically advocating for the abolishment of a significant portion of reporting obligations currently imposed on businesses and government agencies. He sharply criticized the overly restrictive approach to data protection, which he argued frequently impedes efficient operations. “Currently, one authority is often prevented from requesting information from another. This is simply incomprehensible” Wüst stated, highlighting the systemic inefficiencies stemming from rigid data protection protocols.
The call for reform is framed as a necessary modernization effort, with Wüst emphasizing that states, bearing the primary responsibility for administrative functions, have a vital interest in improving government efficiency. A “federal modernization agenda” is slated to be agreed upon during the upcoming conference with the Federal Chancellor, focusing on a transition to a more modern, faster and digitalized administration.
Beyond broad policy adjustments, Wüst also proposed concrete measures, including the introduction of lifelong identity cards for citizens over the age of 70, effectively eliminating the current requirement for periodic renewals. He also advocated for a significant inversion of the regulatory presumption, proposing that business approvals should be deemed granted after three months if no response is received from the relevant authority. This move underscores a desire to shift the onus onto state bodies to justify denials rather than requiring proactive application processes.
While acknowledging the need for standardization and, potentially, increased centralization through digitalization, the push for modernization also raises concerns about the balance between efficiency and regional autonomy. Critics are likely to scrutinize the extent to which these reforms, potentially driven by a desire to streamline operations and alleviate pressure on state budgets, might erode local decision-making power and standardize approaches that are best suited to specific regional needs.
