Waiting for the administrative reform: Unclear resolutions in Berlin!

Waiting for the administrative reform: Unclear resolutions in Berlin!

Berlin, Deutschland - On June 3, 2025, the schedule for the reform of the Berlin administration remains unclear. Six weeks before the parliamentary summer break, the Senate is originally supposed to decide on the reform on June 26, but this planning is considered shaky. It seems more likely to adopt on July 10, the last plenary day before the summer break. So far, there are still questions of content, in particular on questions of responsibility between the Senate and the districts. According to Tagesspiegel , the factions of the left party and the Greens have so far not been given any suggestions for forming from the SPD contested.

uniform formulations of all political groups do not yet exist. Among other things, the assignments of the policy fields of energy, climate and social cohesion are controversial. The open questions are currently being clarified at the parliamentary level, while administrative experts are only indirectly integrated. In this situation it remains unclear when the interior committee will advise the administrative reform. A special meeting has not yet been applied for, and the regular committee meeting next Monday is due due to a holiday.

law package for administrative reform

The Berlin Senate decided in spring a legislative package for administrative reform, which is due to come into force from 2026. The aim is to regulate the distribution of tasks between the state government and the districts more clearly. Governing Mayor Kai Wegner (CDU) describes the reform as a "new operating system" for the capital and would like to end unclear responsibilities, and the frequent "authority-pingpong" should also come to an end. The Senate has also conducted discussions with the opposition green and leftists, which are fundamentally ready to support the reform, even if the left -wing criticism of parts of the draft law exemplifies because they deviate from previous agreements.

The reform contains changes to the Berlin constitution and a new state organization law. A central aspect is the principle of connexuality, which should ensure that the Senate provides the necessary funds for tasks of the districts. The regulations about when the Senate may intervene in district matters are clearly defined, while districts must be included more binding in the planning of the Senate. The consultations in the House of Representatives follow according to the Senate decision, and the final resolution should also take place before the summer break, so rbb24 .

progress and challenges

In autumn 2022, the "agenda for administrative reform" was launched in order to increase the functionality of the Berlin administration and improve the overall city control. Planned measures include the review and new adjustment of responsibilities as well as the collection and criticism of tasks within all Senate administrations, so that an overall overview of the interaction of the Berlin administration can arise. The Senate strives to decide on a draft for the new State Organization Act by the end of 2023, with which the reform is to be continued in a broader framework, as can be found in a broader framework, as can be seen.

The clear regulation of the distribution of tasks is particularly important because of the limited financial scope and the shortage of skilled workers. The process is divided into two phases: First, the existing tasks are collected by the end of the third quarter of 2024, followed by a comprehensive criticism of tasks to identify optimization needs. Mayor Wegner emphasizes the need for cooperation with the Senate Administrations, Districts and the House of Representatives to successfully implement the reform.