'Germany must rebuild trust'

Berlin, 12 March, 2025. The "Initiative for an Effective State" has presented a comprehensive reform proposal in Berlin today to make the state more efficient, digital and citizen-oriented. The 88-page interim report contains 30 actionable recommendations aimed at reducing bureaucracy, clarifying responsibilities, and creating a future-proof security architecture. 

The initiative is led by a group comprising former Federal Ministers Peer Steinbrück and Thomas de Maizière, constitutional law expert and former President of the Federal Constitutional Court Andreas Voßkuhle, and seasoned Media Executive and Supervisory Board Member Julia Jäkel. The authors discussed the topics with around 50 academics and sought the advice of engaged citizens, from the Inspector General of the Bundeswehr to business representatives.

This non-partisan initiative, supported by four foundations – the Gemeinnützige Hertie-Stiftung, Fritz Thyssen Stiftung, Stiftung Mercator, and ZEIT-Stiftung Bucerius – aims to enhance the efficiency and responsiveness of state structures in Germany. German Federal President Frank-Walter Steinmeier acts as patron for the initiative, with the Hertie School serving as its Head Office.

Key reform points:

Trust-based administration: New relationship between the state and its citizens which allows for more standardisation to improve efficiency.

Digitisation is key: Establishment of a Ministry for Digital Affairs & Administration, central IT standards, and a digital platform for social benefits.

New security architecture: Creation of a National Security Council, federal responsibility for disaster relief and cybersecurity.

More efficient legislation: Longer review processes, more exceptions, and experimental spaces.

Federalism: Reorganisation of task distribution between federal, state, and local governments, more decision-making powers for states in the Bundesrat.

Modernisation of the welfare state: Simplification of social benefits, consolidation of responsibilities, and standardised terminology.

Fairly distributing the burden

Crucially, the report calls for policymakers to be as transparent as possible about the gains and losses of state transformation. The authors argue that German citizens should also feel that their government is tackling unfairness in the system, such as combating tax fraud and wage disparity. 

To strengthen trust in democracy and underscore the interplay between freedom and responsibility, the authors support Federal President Steinmeier’s calls to re-implement nationwide Dienstpflicht (National Service).

For more information, visit our subpage Initiative for an Effective State.