Interim report

How the state should become more effective

03/26/2025 -

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A state that functions well treats its citizens with more trust and regulates administrative processes more easily. It prioritizes digitalization and breaks down rigid structures - within the state itself, but also between business, science and society. These are the words of a reform concept presented by the "Initiative für einen handlungsfähigen Staat" in Berlin in mid-March - while the coalition talks were still ongoing. The interim report contains 30 specific recommendations on how government action can be improved in many areas. Prof. Aladin El-Mafaalani is a member of the panel of experts and was involved in drawing up the proposals in the "Social Affairs and Education" working group.

The reform project under the patronage of Federal President Frank-Walter Steinmeier was initiated by former Federal Ministers Thomas de Maizière and Peer Steinbrück, the long-serving President of the Federal Constitutional Court Andreas Voßkuhle and media manager Julia Jäkel. The initiators enlisted the support of a total of 54 experts for their work - including mayors, head teachers, entrepreneurs and academics. In general, the authors are concerned with "renewing the state as a whole". Reducing bureaucracy, for example, can only succeed if many things are interlinked: better legislative processes, regulations with more exceptions, more trust in citizens and companies - and a digital state.

Recommendations for the areas of social affairs and education

A ten-member working group led by Peer Steinbrück has drawn up seven recommendations for the areas of social affairs and education. Aladin El-Mafaalani, Professor of Sociology of Migration and Education, contributed his expertise. "Anyone who wants to maintain the welfare state at a high level will have to improve its effectiveness and efficiency," emphasize the initiators. "Five federal ministries are responsible for around 170 services, which are administered by almost 30 authorities using different terminology and are implemented differently in 16 federal states with 400 local authorities." To simplify matters, the working group therefore recommends pooling responsibility for all social security benefits within the federal government and providing a central digital platform for all standard benefits.

You can read the full article on the TU Dortmund University website.

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