## Notes from 10 April 2025 [[2025-04-09|← Previous note]] ┃ [[2025-04-11|Next note →]] Yesterday, the anticipated [coalition agreement](https://www.spd.de/fileadmin/Dokumente/Koalitionsvertrag_2025.pdf) between the CDU/CSU and SPD was published. I still want to take time to analyze the document more thoroughly, and I remain somewhat skeptical (these agreements are often lengthy and, based on past experience, few proposals translate into real policy). However, reading it initially in good faith reveals elements I find significant. The agreement signals potentially interesting directions for state reform. It proposes strengthening a "whole-of-government approach" establishing interministerial project teams and integrating core back-office functions like HR, compliance, procurement and IT. It also emphasizes the need for a "modern leadership culture" supported by a cross-departmental executive development program (an aspect I find particularly compelling!). The document also advocates opening up entry requirements and facilitating lateral entry. It also lays down targets for personnel reduction (at least 8% by 2029) and mentions centralizing or pooling solutions for key human resources services across the federal government, including recruiting, planning, developing, and standardizing performance appraisals. These proposals raise questions, especially given Germany's siloed administrative structure: Who will coordinate interministerial efforts, how will that coordination work, and what entity will oversee the newly centralized functions? Effective implementation will likely require strong ministerial leadership. On a positive note, [press reports](https://www.heise.de/en/news/Digital-policy-Black-Red-creates-Ministry-for-Digitalization-10346493.html) indicate the new government plans to establish a ministry specifically focused on digitization and state modernization. Significantly, this ministry is expected to be led by the CDU, the senior coalition partner. What's more, the inclusion of "government modernization" alongside "digitization" in its mandate suggests a potentially holistic approach that goes beyond IT alone. And I certainly hope this includes the crucial personnel and structural reforms outlined in the agreement. PS: Based on a quick approximation using Federal Ministry of the Interior (BMI) data, the German coalition's pledge to cut non-security federal personnel by 8% could translate to a reduction of roughly 20,000 to 32,000 positions by 2029, depending on the precise definition used for non-security staff at the federal level. For comparison, the UK Labour government [reportedly plans](https://ukcivilservant.substack.com/p/civil-service-job-cuts-likely-to) to cut around 37,500 to 45,000 civil service jobs by 2030.