Berlin and the neighboring states of North Rhine-Westphalia and Rhineland-Palatinate have sharply rejected the proposal by Berlin’s Governing Mayor, Kai Wegner (CDU), to relocate the entire federal government to Berlin. Wegner’s initiative is seen as “an unfriendly act” that is too short-sighted, said Rhineland-Palatinate’s Minister-President, Alexander Schweitzer (SPD), in an interview with the Tagesspiegel newspaper.
Schweitzer emphasized the benefits of the current division of labor between the two government locations, Berlin and Bonn, citing the advantages of having international organizations located in Bonn, as well as the availability of real estate and plots of land. He also highlighted the importance of not overlooking the long-standing work arrangement between the two locations.
North Rhine-Westphalia’s Minister for Federal Affairs and State Chancellery, Nathanael Liminski (CDU), echoed similar sentiments, stating that he understands Wegner’s desire to promote his city, but Bonn remains a central location for the federal government, both now and in the future.
Liminski pointed out that the regular debate on relocating the government is already rendered obsolete by the facts, citing that nearly one-third of federal ministry employees work in North Rhine-Westphalia. He added that neither the relocation nor the replacement of these employees would create new jobs or housing in Berlin.
Liminski also disputed the claims of cost savings and environmental benefits, arguing that the digitalization of ministerial work has made these concerns obsolete. Instead, he emphasized the importance of maintaining the current arrangement, which he estimated would save the federal government tens of millions of euros annually, compared to the proposed relocation.
The official continued, stating that as a state government, they will take all necessary measures to ensure the long-term preservation of Bonn as a federal city. Berlin’s Governing Mayor, Wegner, had previously advocated for relocating all federal ministries to Berlin, calling the current arrangement “inefficient, climate-damaging, and expensive.” Wegner believes the complete relocation should now be planned and implemented.