Deutschland-Stack: Bavaria doesn't want to buy a "pig in a poke"

Almost all federal states have agreed to adopt the "Deutschland-Stack" announced by the federal government, provided that the federal government finances the stack and it remains compatible with the so-called "Deutschland-Architektur". The federal government should bear the "investive and consumptive costs of the binding platform core", according to a current resolution of the federal states' digital ministers' conference. In return, the federal government could define and declare the platform core binding.

The resolution (PDF) of the Digital Ministers' Conference is remarkable because, until now, many federal states wanted to have an equal say in the design of IT systems used across different levels. For example, the federal government and the states have set up a steering group for the "data highway" NOOTS. In the now published state resolution on the Deutschland-Stack, there is only mention of consultation and involvement. In addition, the federal government has not yet determined what the Deutschland-Stack should consist of. The Federal Ministry for Digital and State Modernization conducted a consultation process until November 30th.

Bavaria wants to clarify content issues first

Bavaria was the only federal state to reject the proposed resolution at the Digital Ministers' Conference. "We are happy to participate and are convinced of the concept of the Deutschland-Stack, but we don't want to buy a pig in a poke," a spokesperson for Digital Minister Fabian Mehring (Freie Wähler) told c't. Before a binding use and the financing structure of the Deutschland-Stack can be decided, content issues must first be clarified. In principle, they support the Deutschland-Stack and see it as "a game changer for the successful design of the digital transformation of the state and administration, including nationwide standards," said the spokesperson.

The resolution was initiated by the federal states of Bremen and Hamburg. They expect faster progress with the central financing and control of the Deutschland-Stack than in federal bodies. "The great acceleration comes from the fact that the decision rests solely with the one who pays," said Bremen State Councilor Martin Hagen in an interview with c't. The Deutschland-Stack should "enable all administrations in Germany to offer digital solutions faster by creating a common technical platform," explained Hagen. The "Deutschland-Architektur", coordinated by the federal government and the states, ensures the compatibility of all components.

You can read a detailed interview with Bremen State Councilor Martin Hagen on the Deutschland-Stack and the Deutschland-Architektur in the current issue of the c't newsletter D.digital. You can subscribe to the newsletter here for free.

(cwo)