(de-news.net) – Under the leadership of distinguished figures including Julia Jäkel, Thomas de Maizière, Peer Steinbrück, and Andreas Voßkuhle, the ‘Initiative for an Actionable State’ has submitted its final report to Federal President Frank-Walter Steinmeier, delineating 35 substantive proposals aimed at optimizing governmental functionality. The report posits that the modernization of the state apparatus cannot be entrusted solely to a minister for digital affairs; rather, it necessitates comprehensive, concerted action between federal and regional authorities, thereby framing reform as a collective national imperative.
Among the report’s principal recommendations is the endorsement of a jointly ratified modernization agenda, co-supported by Chancellor Friedrich Merz and the heads of regional governments, envisioned as the foundation for substantive transformation. In response to escalating concerns regarding the deleterious effects of social media on democratic discourse, the initiative advocates for the abolition of platform immunity and calls for a more rigorous application of youth protection statutes.
A reassessment of data protection regulations is equally pressing. The report critiques Germany’s comparatively stringent application of the EU General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR), suggesting a pivot toward opt-out mechanisms as a more pragmatic approach. It further recommends the exemption of non-commercial organizations from GDPR stipulations and argues for the elimination of mandatory data protection officers in small and medium-sized enterprises.
In the domain of immigration policy, the authors advocate for the simplification of admission protocols and accelerated labor market integration for qualified professionals. The proposed transfer of deportation responsibilities from sub-national entities to federal agencies represents an attempt to enhance administrative efficacy and mitigate procedural complexity.
Additionally, they call for the digitization of social service provision via a centralized platform and encourage a legislative paradigm shift toward greater flexibility through the institutionalization of exception-friendly statutes. The integration of citizens’ councils into the policy process is portrayed as a measure to strengthen civic engagement and participatory governance.
