From Corporate Chieftain to Digital Minister: Karsten Wildberger Joins the CDU Ranks
Minister Wildberger affiliated with the CDU party in the digital sector. - Digital Minister Wildberger has aligned himself with the CDU party.
Karsten Wildberger, the newly-appointed Federal Digital Minister, has stepped into the ranks of the CDU, as confirmed by the North Rhine-Westphalia state association of the German Press Agency. Before joining politics, Wildberger was the CEO of the Düsseldorf-based Ceconomy group, overseeing Media-Saturn holding.
"North Rhine-Westphalia has long been my political home, even though I was not a member of the party until now," Wildberger stated to dpa. Excited for his next steps, he added, "I'm thrilled to join this team and, in addition to my role as Minister in the Federal Government under Chancellor Friedrich Merz, to also become a part of the CDU North Rhine-Westphalia under the leadership of Hendrik Wüst."
Wildberger's political stances revolve around strengthening trust in government and institutions. He advocates for a strong social market economy and champions digitalization efforts as crucial for this purpose. According to Wildberger, Christian democracy aims to modernize the state and enhance citizens' trust in government and institutions.
Wüst, Minister President and CDU state chairman, expressed his delight at Wildberger's decision, stating that there could be no better political home for the new digital minister than within the Union on the Rhine and Ruhr.
The 55-year-old Wildberger serves as a surprise move by Chancellor Merz, marking Wildberger's foray into federal politics. His appointment as the first Digital Minister signals a shift in Germany's digital landscape, with Wildberger set to consolidate digital responsibilities from six different ministries.
The new digital minister's goals involve transforming Germany into a leading force for digitalization, with a focus on gradual, tangible progress to ensure meaningful results.
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- Karsten Wildberger
- CDU
- North Rhine-Westphalia
- Hendrik Wüst
- Düsseldorf
- Friedrich Merz
- Berlin
- German Press Agency
- Ceconomy
- Media-Saturn
[Enrichment Data]:
- Karsten Wildberger's digital leadership as Federal Minister involves making Germany a frontrunner in digitalization, focusing on modernizing the state apparatus and mitigating risks.
- Wildberger believes in gradual, step-by-step progress to ensure tangible results in digitalization efforts.
- Prior to his political career, Wildberger had no formal political affiliations and was considered independent, but he views the CDU's beliefs in a strong social market economy and necessary policy changes, particularly in digitalization, as aligning with his.
- Karsten Wildberger, now a member of the CDU, previously served as the CEO of the Düsseldorf-based Ceconomy group, encompassing Media-Saturn holding, before venturing into politics in North Rhine-Westphalia.
- As the new Federal Digital Minister under Chancellor Friedrich Merz, Wildberger will consolidate digital responsibilities from six different ministries, aiming to make Germany a leading force for digitalization.
- Wildberger champions digitalization efforts, emphasizing the essential role they play in strengthening trust in government and institutions, which aligns with the Christian democratic aim of modernizing the state and enhancing citizens' trust.
- Hendrik Wüst, Minister President and CDU state chairman in North Rhine-Westphalia, expressed his delight at Wildberger's decision, believing that there could be no better political home for the new digital minister than within the Union on the Rhine and Ruhr.
