German state leaders adopt 200-point plan to combat red tape

The leaders of Germany’s 16 federal states have agreed on a 200-point programme to streamline administration, addressing long-standing complaints by citizens that they are facing excessive amounts of red tape.

Leaders have agreed on a “federal modernization agenda” to make it easier and less costly for the population to navigate administrative processes, Alexander Schweitzer, state premier of Mecklenburg-Vorpommern, said following a meeting in Berlin on Thursday.

Under the plans, it is set to be easier to apply for a new ID card, as well as registering a change of address, while reporting requirements for administrations are set to be reduced, according to Schweitzer.

While the announcements are sure to be welcomed by many, state leaders failed to reach agreement with the federal government in a dispute on the distribution of public funds and the cost of new legislation.

Due to the deadlock, the premiers have proposed to delay a decision to give Berlin a chance “to improve its offer,” Schweitzer said.

The row centres on whether the federal government must compensate for losses in state and local government budgets resulting from decisions made by the federal government and the lower house of parliament, or Bundestag.

Despite the offer for further negotiations, Schweitzer said a decision was needed soon, noting that the financial situation, especially on the municipal level, was dramatic.

Source: dpa

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