German IT Mittelstand forum urges digital sovereignty and reduced bureaucracy

Last week in Berlin, the BITMi‑hosted Hauptstadtforum Digitalwirtschaft brought together parliamentary state secretary Thomas Jarzombek (CDU), finance‑ministerial advisor Jens Südekum, BITMi president Oliver Grün and other government and industry representatives. They debated how to turn the vision of digital sovereignty into practice, stressing that the IT‑Mittelstand is essential for Germany’s economic growth and as a digital partner for the broader mid‑size business sector.

Südekum highlighted that 44.3 % of the German mid‑size market relies on critical software from IT‑Mittelstand firms. Participants called for the government to follow market signals, give fair chances to Mittelstand software, and cut red‑tape that hampers innovation. Jarzombek asked for a moratorium on new EU regulations, urging Brussels to pause further administrative measures until existing reforms take effect. The forum underscored the need for a policy shift toward supporting the IT‑Mittelstand as a driver of digital sovereignty and economic competitiveness.