German government backs 'modernization agenda' to cut bureaucracy

The German government on Wednesday approved a plan to modernize state institutions and administrative practices.

The proposal, backed by Chancellor Friedrich Merz's Cabinet, envisages around 80 measures to promote efficiency, advance digitalization and cut bureaucracy.

The implementation of the first projects is to start immediately, according to the Digital Ministry.

The so-called "modernization agenda" was approved after a two-day retreat of Merz's ministerial team in Berlin.

The government plans to reduce bureaucratic costs by 25%, amounting to around €16 billion ($18.8 billion). The federal workforce is to be cut by 8%. 

Digital Minister Karsten Wildberger called the plan a major step towards reducing the burden on citizens and businesses.

"This agenda forms the working basis for the legislative period - with concrete projects that must now be implemented sustainably and step by step," he said.

However, the modernization agenda was dismissed as a "patchwork of buzzwords" by Franziska Brantner, leader of the opposition Greens. "Citizens finally want a state that works - digitally, simply and reliably," she told dpa.

Following the Cabinet meeting, Merz said he was confident his coalition - made up of his conservative bloc and the centre-left Social Democrats (SPD) - can work well together, after a rocky start since taking office in May.

"Over the last few months, we have really managed to create a very, very good, very collegial, very open working atmosphere in this coalition," he said. "And that is why I am very confident that the tasks we have been set can be solved."