"Our Federal Structures Are Reaching Their Limits"

With a call for greater centralization of digitalization tasks at the federal level, Berlin's Governing Mayor Kai Wegner opened the second day of the Smart Country Convention (SCCON). However, everything has its time, including Germany's federal structures, which certainly make sense. "But I believe that when it comes to digitalization, our federal structures are now reaching their limits."

"We need more standardization, more federal competencies"

"If we want digitalization, we need stronger standardization, more federal competencies, more federal responsibility, so that each state isn’t doing its own thing," Wegner continued. "I hope that, at the latest after the next federal election, we will have a debate in Germany about our federal structures."

A new Federalism Commission is needed "to eliminate obstacles" that make Germany significantly slower in digitalization compared to other countries. "We should see this as an opportunity, not a risk—and I say this as the leader of a federal state who would have to give more powers to the federal government," Wegner emphasized, adding, "But I am happy to do so if it works."

Smart Solutions for Administration

Wegner explained that Berlin aims to further expand its position as a digital hub. The capital is not only experiencing a massive influx of companies from the digital economy but is also focusing on digital processes for its own administration: "We want smart solutions for our administration." Currently, there are already more than 350 digital services available. "That’s really something to be proud of."

At the Smart Country Convention, Wegner also launched the city’s latest tool: from now on, citizens can fully register or change their residence digitally. For Berlin’s administration, this will be a "game changer," said Wegner, as this service alone is used about 500,000 times per year. The model for this transition was Hamburg.

Another new development in Berlin is the GovTech Centre (GGTC Berlin), which opened on October 1st. Wegner also announced plans for an innovation center that will further enhance networking in the digital economy. He expressed his gratitude that SCCON is held in Berlin, as it brings together large companies, cities, and districts. "This is a platform for networking and, in the best sense, a best practice platform." Berlin, Wegner concluded, wants to stand for this type of networking.