Overview

• Karsten Wildberger, a seasoned executive with a background in digital transformation, will leave his role as Ceconomy AG CEO to become Germany’s inaugural Digitalminister.
• The new Digitalministerium combines responsibilities for digitalization and state modernization, marking a shift from previous fragmented governance under infrastructure ministries.
• Wildberger’s tenure at Ceconomy AG saw mixed results, with the company underperforming the CDAX index but outpacing international retail peers like Best Buy and Fnac Darty.
• Debate surrounds the ministry’s approach, with advocates emphasizing Wildberger’s pragmatic experience and critics cautioning against top-down implementation risks.
• The coalition government’s plans include eliminating outdated processes, such as the use of fax machines in public administration, as part of broader modernization efforts.