Berlin's Exploratory Coalition Paper Outlines Tech and Policy Priorities

• The Left Party (Die Linke), the Greens, and the SPD have released a joint exploratory paper for a potential Berlin government.
• The document addresses police practice, administrative digitization, and IT infrastructure while omitting clear reforms on transparency.

Policing and Security

• Maintains current staffing levels with an emphasis on "citizen-friendly" community engagement.
• AI-based video surveillance projects, such as at Kottbusser Tor, will remain, with a scheduled evaluation in 2028.
• The Office for the Protection of the Constitution will remain in its current form, albeit with increased parliamentary oversight.
• The paper is silent on whether the parties intend to repeal recent controversial police law expansions regarding automated data analysis and predictive tech.

Administrative Digitization

• Aims for a "one-only" data entry system and full digital access to public services.
• Proposes an "AI offensive" and a "bureaucracy inspection" to reduce reporting and documentation requirements.
• Emphasizes prioritizing IT security with increased executive authority for the city's Chief Information Security Officer.

IT Infrastructure and Governance

• Expresses clear mistrust in the Berlin IT Service Center (ITDZ) following financial instability and procurement scandals.
• Considers outsourcing specific tasks to external providers to ensure security and economic efficiency.
• Explores declaring an "IT infrastructure emergency" to justify taking on new debt for systemic upgrades.

Education and Civil Society

• Proposes a general ban on mobile phones at primary schools while promoting guided digital learning.
• Plans to strengthen the local creative and digital industry.
• Aims to pass a state-level law to promote democracy and anti-discrimination efforts.

Policy Gaps

• The paper lacks a commitment to reversing recent restrictions on the Freedom of Information Act regarding critical infrastructure.
• Coalition negotiations hinge on internal party votes scheduled for late October.