In a recent interview with the German newspaper “Welt am Sonntag”, Nordrhein-Westfalen’s Minister-President Hendrik Wüst emphasized the need for a fundamental state reform to reorganize the relationship between the federal government and the states. Wüst, a member of the Christian Democratic Union (CDU), believes that standardization and centralization are essential for efficient digitalization. He pointed out that a single state, no matter how large, should not be able to block the implementation of federal standards.
The Minister-President expressed his willingness to set certain standards with a majority in the Federal Council, acknowledging that this would mean accepting the possibility of being outvoted. Wüst emphasized the need to move away from federal egotism and to become more efficient, ultimately for the benefit of the people.
Wüst cited the numerous different software solutions used in government agencies as an example of the need for reform. He argued that the current decentralized approach is not only expensive but also inefficient and not citizen-friendly, as it hinders the seamless interaction of various factors, including software and administrative processes.
The Minister-President also touched on the topic of education policy, which falls under the responsibility of the states. He suggested that it is necessary to review where further harmonization of standards would be sensible, while also respecting the autonomy of the states. Wüst emphasized that the goal is not to impose federal guidelines on local education, but rather to ensure that the differences in education policies are justified.
Wüst’s proposal for a more flexible approach to setting standards, allowing for a majority vote in the Federal Council, could have implications for the education sector, particularly in the case of families moving to a different state due to a new job, for example. The Minister-President emphasized that the best solution for the children is the top priority in such situations.