Why Germany needs a ‘Ministry of Digitalisation’? ...and how a petition might change everything
Politics and businesses in Germany have been in agreement for a long time: digitization will change all areas of life and many of the aspects of the economy. Nevertheless, the future federal government of Germany is not planning to establish a Ministry of Digitization. This can endanger the future of Germany as a country, its businesses and its society.
In addition, digitization is the most prominent topic of the future for individual politicians as well as for the parties in Germany. Therefore, in programs of various political parties, it is said that a “state minister for digital policy” or a “digital ministry” is is needed and should be established.
Does Germany address the coming changes?
However, if you take a look at the current Coalition Agreement of the so-called “Grand Coalition” (a political coalition between the two major German political parties, SPD – Social Democratic Party – and CDU/CSU – Christian Democratic Union/ Christian Social Union), you realize that such a ministry and such a minister are not “in the pipeline”.
That’s unfortunate. The danger exists that that Germany will not be able to agree on the necessary decisions with regards to important topics of the future such as the establishment of a Germany-wide gigabit infrastructure, the creation of regulations on the topic of “Big Data” and “Industry 4.0” or the development of the prerequisites for automated driving.
The importance of the pressing questions in connection with digitization allow it no longer that these topics are assigned to different German ministries which results in lengthy discussions, coordination and therefore delays when it comes to making decisions.
The “Minister of Digitalisation” would be responsible for all topics with digital aspects Click To TweetInstead, it would rather make sense to bundle competencies and resources in a single ministry: the Ministry of Digitalisation. The “Minister of Digitalisation” would be responsible for all topics with digital aspects (yes, we are talking the future here!). In return, it has its own financial resources and would be available as a single point of contact in the German Federal Government. Only then could Germany generate enough administrative power to shape issues that will be relevant for the future of society and business.
How does the reality look like in Germany?
The reality, however, is completely different in Germany: at present, there is no single ministry in Germany that is capable of deciding on digital topics.
No single ministry is in a position to set minimum standards in these areas through a proposal for a bill. And: no ministry has the combined competence and financial ability to create a basis for technological developments of similar importance and relevance in Germany.
Rather, the Department of Transportation, the Ministry of Economy, the Ministry of Interior and the Ministry of Education are currently involved in the identification, planning and implementation of digital topics. High coordination effort, slow decisions and lots of disputes about responsibilities are the consequences.
This is not what “Creating the future” should look like … But everything could change with a petition that is currently in the making.
A petition by the German people to change the status quo!
Representatives of the IT association Bitkom, the Federation of German Industries (BDI), the Federal Association of IT-Mittelstand and the Federal Association of the Digital Economy (BVDW) no longer want to idly watch the discouraged planning of the Grand Coalition and have launched a petition.
The demand: the appointment of a digital minister and the establishment of a Ministry of Digitalisation. The petition states: “Digitalisation is currently the biggest change-maker. You cannot successfully counter these changes by not changing anything “.
The petition calls for the responsibility of the issue of digitalisation to be firmly assigned to a single ministry and to anchor a digital minister in the new federal government.
This German petition can be signed by individuals and thus supported. In addition, organizations can also join the petition to support the cause.
If the petition reaches 50,000 or more supporters four weeks after it is submitted, it will be discussed publicly in the Petition Committee of the German Federal Parliament.
Call to action
If you support the notion of Germany having a Ministry of Digitalisation please take action here and sign the petition.
Carsten Lexa is the former Chairman of the Steering Committee of the G20 Young Entrepreneurs´ Alliance (www.g20yea.com). A corporate lawyer by profession and equipped with his own law firm, he advises international clients, who want to do business in Germany, in corporate and commercial legal matters. He is, by invitation of the European Commission, a participant in the annual SME Assembly. He is also a member of the B20 Task Forces and was from 2014 to 2017 a member of the national board of JCI Germany (WJD — Wirtschaftsjunioren Deutschland), the biggest organization for young leaders and entrepreneurs in Germany. He is also the co-founder of “Gründen@Würzburg”, the startup initiative of the German city of Würzburg.
