Bundestag election 2025: What are the parties planning for the public sector?

There are only a few days left until the Bundestag elections on 23 February. The election campaign is in full swing and the parties are also trying to convince voters with their visions for a sustainable Germany. When it comes to digitalisation in the public sector, the election manifestos also contain a wide range of ideas for a new direction in administration and local authorities. Are these plans sufficient?

In our latest news blog, we have summarised the key positions of the parties with regard to digitalisation, administration and modern urban development. It should be noted that the parties are bringing a wide range of demands to the negotiating table for the coming legislative period. However, their success will be determined by the final implementation by the newly elected federal government.

SPD: Strengthening digital participation

The Social Democratic Party of Germany (SPD) is in favour of bundling the responsibilities of administrative digitalisation in one ministry - the election manifesto leaves open whether a separate digital ministry is needed for this. Nevertheless, reducing bureaucracy plays a key role in the Social Democrats' programme, which is to be ensured by simplifying documentation and reporting obligations as well as “digital checks”. There is common ground with the CDU/CSU in terms of nationwide fibre optic and mobile phone coverage as well as in strengthening cyber defence through innovative technologies and expanding the competencies of the relevant security authorities. By strengthening regional training agencies and programmes to promote media skills, the SPD is also placing a particular focus on the area of digital participation.

CDU: Bureaucracy reduction meets cyber security

In their election manifesto, the Christian Democratic Union (CDU) and its sister party, the Christian Social Union (CSU), call for dynamic digitalisation and comprehensive renewal in the public sector. At the top of the agenda is the call for an independent digital ministry that can centralise competencies and responsibilities with regard to broad digitalisation projects. Comprehensive ‘bureaucracy checks’ should systematically reduce additional bureaucratic burdens for authorities, citizens and companies. The election programme also promises a turning point in the area of cyber security and digital infrastructure. Not only is an acceleration law for the expansion of digital infrastructures planned. The protection of security-relevant technologies and digital upgrading through cybersecurity measures in public authorities and companies are also among the party's objectives in the coming legislative period.

GRÜNE: From reducing electricity tax to the ‘Germany app’

The election manifesto of Bündnis 90/ die Grünen contains extensive demands, particularly in the area of digital infrastructure - from speeding up 5G mobile communications to reducing electricity tax and expanding a single European electricity market. The party is also in favour of the further development of online services such as parental and housing benefits as well as the targeted promotion of media skills and digital classrooms. With a centralised ‘Germany app’, the party would also like to offer administrative services for citizens centrally and digitally. As with the SPD, comprehensive ‘digital checks’ for new legislative proposals are part of the election programme. The Grünen are also in favour of centralising responsibilities and budgets in one ministry.

FDP: Becoming an AI pioneer

In the upcoming legislative period, the Free Democratic Party (FDP) wants Germany to become a pioneer in artificial intelligence (AI) and innovative technologies. According to the party, this requires standardised data protection legislation and an innovation-friendly implementation of the AI Act at national level. Artificial intelligence should also find its way into the public sector: The election programme envisages the development of AI-supported traffic management, the introduction of AI citizen assistants and the targeted use of AI in the justice system. In the area of digital infrastructure, the Free Democrats are committed to the expansion of data centres, a digital and dynamic construction industry and the nationwide expansion of mobile and fibre optic networks. The FDP also wants to strengthen the state's ability to act in the public sector by calling for a brake on bureaucracy, a simplification of public procurement law and the establishment of an independent digital ministry.

Die Linke: Focus on digital skills

In its election manifesto, the Left Party calls for the earliest possible promotion of media and data protection skills in order to enable citizens to participate digitally. To this end, the party also envisages free teaching materials for digital devices in schools as well as targeted further training for teachers on topics such as artificial intelligence and data protection. At the same time, the party is calling for a universal right to internet access with a price cap, a right to open data and the development of a future-proof transparency law. The competences of the Federal Office for Security and Information Technology (BSI) are also to be strengthened in the coming legislative period in order to ensure increased IT security in municipalities and companies. The electronic ID card and the electronic health card are to be linked to physical chip cards.

BSW: Right to ‘non-digital participation’

The Sarah Wagenknecht Alliance (BSW) wants to sustainably promote key industries and start-ups with a strengthened industrial fund. The use of freely available AI and open source software is also to be promoted in the coming legislative period. For public authorities, the alliance envisages the introduction of a comprehensive satisfaction rating and a ‘national decluttering day’ in order to increase efficiency and promote proximity to citizens. The party also advocates a right to ‘non-digital participation’ in public life and calls for the minimum possible use of tablets and mobile phones in schools. The once-only principle and the introduction of one-stop shops in the public sector are further elements of the still young party's election programme.

The election programmes already show this: All parties are concerned with the digitalisation of the public sector. Both synergies and considerable differences can be recognised in the demands for the upcoming legislative period. This is one of the reasons why the upcoming federal elections could set the course for the digital future of cities, authorities and state structures.

At #SCCON25, we look forward to presenting the latest political developments and digital solutions for the public sector and providing new impetus for the future.