Significant advancements are anticipated in the modernization of German state functions, according to Philipp Amthor, Parliamentary State Secretary at the Federal Ministry for Digital Affairs and Technology. Speaking to RTL and ntv, Amthor highlighted the importance of these developments for the health of German democracy.
The focus is on creating a more efficient, responsive and cost-effective government. Amthor emphasized the ambition to streamline bureaucratic processes and ensure greater fiscal responsibility within state operations. This modernization effort involves close collaboration with the federal states, with the goal of establishing standardized solutions rather than fragmented approaches.
A key element of the planned improvements is the creation of a digital wallet, envisioned as a platform providing citizens with convenient access to documents like driver’s licenses and official identification. This initiative aims to improve citizen experience by streamlining interactions with government agencies.
Addressing the current landscape of numerous, often disparate, software systems used by government bodies (estimated to exceed 10,000), Amthor’s ministry proposes establishing a data hub. This central hub would facilitate communication between these systems, enabling data exchange to ensure that citizens only need to provide information once. The overarching objective is to create a seamless and citizen-centric interaction with the state. The ministry plans to accelerate this process considerably within the current parliamentary term.