From Coal to AI: Karsten Wildberger Steps into CDU's Political Family
CDU Party Welcomes New Digital Minister to Its Ranks
Karsten Wildberger, the new kid on the block in North Rhine-Westphalia's CDU, has hit the ground running. Previously the CEO of Ceconomy conglomerate and Media-Saturn holding, Wildberger is now the Federal Minister for Digitalization and State Modernization, having joined the CDU after years of being politically unaffiliated.
Wildberger is no stranger to North Rhine-Westphalia, having chosen it as his political home for quite some time. "This was merely a formality until now," Wildberger said, "and I'm thrilled to officially be a part of the CDU team, alongside Chancellor Friedrich Merz's federal government and the CDU NRW under Hendrik Wüst."
The move by Wildberger to join the CDU is more than just a political step - it's a strategic one. "Germany needs a strong social market economy and a political revolution, particularly in the realm of digitalization and state modernization," declared Wildberger. His goal? To strengthen the citizen's trust in government institutions while driving Germany's digital transformation.
With a strong focus on digitalization, CDU NRW general secretary Paul Ziemiak lauded Wildberger's decision to join the CDU NRW. "The Union on the Rhine and Ruhr has proven to be the perfect political home for Wildberger," Ziemiak stated, "especially given his leadership in driving Germany's transition from coal to AI, a movement initiated by premier Hendrik Wüst."
Although specific projects or initiatives for North Rhine-Westphalia have yet to be detailed, Wildberger's federal role, in conjunction with the CDU/CSU-SPD coalition agreement, signals an intent to accelerate digital and state modernization across Germany. One critical aspect of this plan is enhancing the digital infrastructure, ensuring fast and reliable internet, and smart internet capabilities for industrial IoT, to boost Germany's industrial competitiveness nationwide.
In a nutshell:
- Wildberger, as Federal Minister, is leading the establishment of a Ministry of Digitalisation and State Modernisation with a focus on driving Germany's digital competitiveness.
- His plans for digitalization encompass expanding fast, reliable internet and smart internet for industrial applications to benefit regions like North Rhine-Westphalia.
- Wildberger's federal digital agenda and the goals of the 2025 CDU/CSU-SPD coalition agreements highlight digital transformation as a national priority.
Keep an eye out for the digital revolution in North Rhine-Westphalia - it's coming, and the CDU is taking the lead.
- It was revealed that the Commission has also been consulted on the draft directive regarding digitalization and state modernization, given the appointment of Karsten Wildberger as the Federal Minister for Digitalization and State Modernization.
- When asked about his political choices, Wildberger mentioned Westphalia as his preferred political home, expressing his excitement to officially join the CDU, alongside Chancellor Friedrich Merz's federal government and CDU NRW under Hendrik Wüst.
- In a WhatsApp group focused on policy-and-legislation and politics, discussions have been initiated about Wildberger's joining the CDU, with many expressing support for his strategic political move to drive Germany's digital transformation.
- With CDU NRW general secretary Paul Ziemiak declaring that Wildberger's leadership in driving Germany's transition from coal to AI makes the CDU the perfect political home for him, Wildberger's role in board meetings and policy-making discussions is set to have a significant impact on the party's policy-and-legislation and politics in the region and beyond.
