The newly established Federal Ministry for Digital Affairs and State Modernization, spearheaded by CDU Minister Karsten Wildberger, is facing growing scrutiny over its impact and effectiveness. Despite Wildberger’s attempts to deflect criticism by drawing comparisons to a football team revitalized by a new coach, concerns are mounting that the ministry is largely replicating the work of its predecessors rather than ushering in a genuine shift in Germany’s digital strategy.
The ministry, formed under the current black-red coalition government, consolidated departments from five existing ministries and the Chancellery. While an ambitious modernization agenda was approved in October, critics point to a dearth of tangible results in the subsequent six months. Bernd Schlömer, Digital State Secretary of Saxony-Anhalt, echoed this sentiment, stating that while there’s a collective desire for success, “it still lacks dynamism and agility. And not much has happened yet.
Wildberger has staunchly defended his approach, arguing that substantial personnel changes aren’t always necessary for improvement. He advocates for a hands-on management style, actively intervening in projects – including the development of planned administrative apps – and claiming that ministerial involvement is crucial for driving innovation. “One must be closely involved” he stated in an interview, emphasizing the importance of demonstrating interest in the solutions devised by his officials.
However, this level of intervention has raised questions about the ministry’s operational efficiency and potential for stifling initiative amongst civil servants. Some observers suggest Wildberger’s desire to “understand” every detail risks micromanagement, creating bottlenecks and hindering the agility the ministry purportedly aims to cultivate. The question remains whether the ministry’s structure and its minister’s management style are genuinely fostering progress or merely creating a bureaucratic reshuffling of existing responsibilities, failing to deliver the transformative digital modernization Germany urgently requires. The coming months will be critical in determining whether the Ministry can overcome these challenges and fulfill its intended purpose, or if it will become another example of political restructuring without substance.