Germany's Software Spending Surges 27% Amid Calls for Strategic Reform

The federal government's expenditure on software has surged dramatically, reaching over 1.2 billion euros last year, marking a 27 percent increase from the previous year. Notably, the costs associated with software licenses have skyrocketed, more than tripling to 160.2 million euros.

This sharp rise has drawn criticism from Bundestag member Dietmar Bartsch of The Left party, who highlights the troubling reliance on major U.S. software companies. Bartsch calls for a comprehensive software strategy aimed at minimizing costs and reducing dependency on foreign technology.

While the objective of digitalization is to achieve long-term savings, the initial financial burden raises concerns among lawmakers. Both the government and the opposition recognize the urgent need for a strategic approach to address these escalating costs.