The newly formed Federal Ministry for Digitalization and State Modernization, spearheaded by CDU Minister Karsten Wildberger, is facing mounting criticism regarding its impact and effectiveness. While Wildberger defends his approach as a necessary overhaul mirroring a successful football team under a new coach, critics argue that the ministry has, thus far, failed to deliver substantial innovation beyond the recently approved modernization agenda.
The ministry’s creation, a project of the black-red coalition government, involved consolidating departments from five existing ministries and the Chancellery. This restructuring, intended to streamline digitalization efforts, has instead led to concerns that the ministry is largely replicating the functions of its predecessors, with a distinct lack of discernible fresh impetus.
Bernd Schlömer, Digital State Secretary of Saxony-Anhalt and a member of the FDP, voiced a shared sentiment among proponents of digitalization reform. “We all want this to succeed” Schlömer stated, “but there is still a lack of dynamism and agility. And not much has happened yet.
Wildberger’s commitment to a hands-on approach, actively engaging with departmental projects like the development of planned administrative apps, is also drawing scrutiny. While the Minister claims this level of involvement is crucial for driving change and demonstrating interest in solutions developed by his staff, it raises questions about bureaucratic efficiency and potential micromanagement. Wildberger’s reasoning – that a minister must understand the work being done to facilitate change – has been interpreted by some as a justification for overly intrusive oversight.
The effectiveness of the ministry hinges on its ability to move beyond organizational realignment and deliver tangible, transformative results in digital governance. The current criticisms underscore the inherent challenges of large-scale government reform and the pressure on Wildberger to demonstrate a genuinely innovative and impactful leadership.