MPK adopts federal modernization agenda

At the conference of state premiers in the Chancellery in Berlin, the federal and state governments agreed on a package of measures to modernize the state. The skilled trades sector welcomes this, but calls for faster implementation.

The conference of state premiers (MPK) at the Federal Chancellery in Berlin focused particularly on bureaucracy, efficient procedures and digital processes, and the modernization of the state. The federal and state governments agreed on a joint modernization agenda. They intend to implement a comprehensive package of measures to reduce bureaucracy, lower reporting and documentation requirements, accelerate planning, approval, and procurement procedures, and generally consolidate processes wherever possible.

To this end, Chancellor Friedrich Merz (CDU) and the state premiers have adopted a 55-page policy paper. "The federal and state governments have ambitious plans: Our country is to be modernized to be faster, more digital, and more effective – for the benefit of citizens, businesses, and public administration," it states. In addition to their own initiatives, the package primarily includes proposals from the Initiative for an Effective State, the... National Standards Control Council and the municipalities. The agenda is the prelude to a "comprehensive modernization of the state across all federal levels".

Five key themes will be the focus: 

1. Less bureaucracy, clear procedures and quick decisions at all levels of government.
2. Faster procedures in the area of ​​planning and approval, simplifications in procurement and data protection law.
3. Efficient, resilient and high-performing state structures: for trust in the state and administration.
4. Digital processes: efficient and service-oriented – for greater comfort and time savings in everyday life.
5. Better legislation: understandable, practical and reliable – so that rules provide guidance and do not hinder progress.

State modernizationHere you will find all decisions of the MPK on the modernization of the state.In the area of ​​reducing bureaucracy through the reduction of obligations, nearly 40 measures are listed, including the elimination of at least one-third of all reporting requirements and a 50% reduction in documentation requirements. Immediate measures for businesses include the abolition of mandatory receipts. Additional measures address deemed approvals, proportionality in accident prevention regulations and technical standards, and the simplification of building standards. 

To rapidly modernize infrastructure, the federal and state governments intend to "significantly" accelerate planning and approval processes at all levels. This will contribute to investment security and strengthen the competitiveness of Germany as a business location. Both sides aim to simplify procurement law and make public procurement processes more efficient. To this end, they plan to "adapt data protection regulations to strengthen Germany's digital sovereignty, competitiveness, and innovative capacity, and advocate for a future-oriented reform of the GDPR at the EU level."

Practical legislation

The federal and state governments aim to optimize the enforcement of laws and improve their cooperation. They intend to implement "lean, low-bureaucracy, and largely standardized funding procedures that are easily digitized." Digital processes are to become standard practice in public administration: "In addition to application procedures, internal administrative processes will be optimized and fully digitized," according to the resolution document. In the area of ​​legislation, the goal is to make laws simpler, more digital, more efficient, and more practical. "New laws should be designed from the outset to be target-group oriented, practical, and digitally implementable."

The skilled trades sector generally welcomes the decisions. "The decision of the Conference of Minister-Presidents underscores the shared commitment of the federal and state governments to modernizing the state and to the long-overdue reduction of bureaucracy." This is an important signal for skilled trades businesses, whose competitiveness depends on a framework with minimal bureaucracy, says Holger Schwannecke, Secretary General of the [Association of Skilled Trades]. Central Association of German CraftsIt is right to use standardized forms for public procurement, to create central procurement offices, and to operate only one platform for e-procurement. This creates important synergies for the administration and saves companies time and effort.

More speed in implementation

“It is equally important to consistently limit ourselves to implementing European regulations and not burden craft businesses with additional requirements and obligations. The federal government must adhere to this principle, particularly with regard to the planned introduction of national employment data protection,” demands Schwannecke. He also calls for faster progress on modernization measures. “Why should it take until the end of 2026 to review all existing reporting and disclosure obligations?”

Schwannecke proposes abolishing all unnecessary regulations by the end of next year. "Besides the necessary pace for fundamental tax relief, there is a lack of major reform initiatives. Particularly in the federal-state context, it is crucial to address the urgently needed simplification of tax law. This requires political courage. Only in this way can the lost trust of the business community in the efficiency of the state and public administration be regained. The skilled trades sector fully supports the modernization agenda but expects significantly more determination from the federal and state governments in its further implementation."

Recognition of qualifications acquired abroad

Recognition. 16 measures to improve the procedures for the recognition of professional qualifications acquired abroad.In addition to state modernization, the recognition of qualifications acquired abroad was a topic at the Conference of Minister-Presidents. The federal and state governments agreed to further simplify and accelerate the procedures for recognizing professional qualifications acquired abroad. Given the existing and long-term projected high demand for skilled workers and to increase Germany's competitiveness, further progress is essential. The focus will be on the professions with the highest number of applications. Sixteen measures were adopted to this end.

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