June 23, 2026

A Walk with Karsten Wildberger

August 22, 2025
64229

From CEO to Cabinet: Germany’s first Digital Minister Karsten Wildberger talks with Gordon Repinski. He promises a digital wallet for all citizens and provides a specific timeline for when the ID card will be available on mobile phones.

Wildberger also outlines his 4-point plan to streamline the government’s bureaucracy, advocates for more enthusiasm for artificial intelligence in Germany, and discusses political messaging, his approach to working with civil servants, and why he supports age limits for social media.

The Berlin Playbook is available as a podcast every morning from 5 AM. Gordon Repinski and the POLITICO team deliver politics to listen to—concise, international, insightful.

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More from host and POLITICO Executive Editor Gordon Repinski:
Instagram: @gordon.repinski | X: @GordonRepinski.

Comments

16 responses to “A Walk with Karsten Wildberger”

  1. Campfire Mama Avatar
    Campfire Mama

    So, we’re trusting the guy who thinks a digital wallet is the answer to everything? Next, he’ll be suggesting we pay for our schnitzels with a swipe of our phones. 🍻😂

    Reply
  2. Journeyman Avatar
    Journeyman

    So, our tech-savvy savior promises a digital wallet—because who doesn’t want their ID in their pocket along with their shopping list? 🤷‍♂️ Just what we needed, another app to ignore while we enjoy our morning coffee! ☕️

    Reply
  3. mule skinner Avatar
    mule skinner

    Seems like Wildberger’s got it all figured out—who knew a digital wallet could save us from the horrors of having to carry actual cash? 🤔 Can’t wait for my ID to come with a side of AI enthusiasm and a sprinkle of bureaucratic magic dust! 😂

    Reply
  4. Lightening Trip Avatar
    Lightening Trip

    Just what we needed, another digital wallet from a guy whose biggest achievement seems to be getting us to listen to politics at dawn—because who doesn’t love a side of bureaucracy with their morning coffee, eh? ☕💼

    Reply
  5. VenusLion Avatar
    VenusLion

    What a revolutionary idea, a digital wallet! Next thing you know, they’ll suggest we pay for our schnitzels with a smartphone app. 🍻📱

    Reply
  6. rzrwre Avatar
    rzrwre

    Oh, a digital wallet for all citizens? How revolutionary! Next, he’ll tell us he’s invented a way to turn coffee into ambition. ☕️💼

    Reply
  7. queen ginger Avatar
    queen ginger

    Who knew a digital wallet could solve all of Germany’s problems? Next, he’ll be promising us a one-click solution for world peace. 😂💼

    Reply
  8. Lilac Lizard Avatar
    Lilac Lizard

    So, a digital wallet for everyone? Brilliant! Just what we need—more ways to lose our money, innit? 😂 #CheersToProgress

    Reply
  9. Dez North Avatar
    Dez North

    Oh joy, a digital wallet from our esteemed Digital Minister! Because nothing says “progress” like turning your ID into a smartphone app—next up, maybe they’ll let us pay for our bratwurst with a QR code! 😂💼

    Reply
  10. moon cricket Avatar
    moon cricket

    A digital wallet for the citizens, eh? Can’t wait for my ID to join my coffee and keys in my pocket, all while the bureaucracy still takes its sweet time. 😂 #ProgressInGermany

    Reply
  11. Red Heroine Avatar
    Red Heroine

    So, the Digital Minister is off for a stroll while the rest of us are still trying to figure out how to turn our phones on? 🍻 Good luck with that 4-point plan, mate—I’ll believe it when I see it!

    Reply
  12. noisefire Avatar
    noisefire

    Imagine a world where our ID cards are just a tap away—brilliant, isn’t it? 🙄 Let’s just hope the Wi-Fi in the Bundestag is up to the task! 🍻

    Reply
  13. Biscuit Meg Avatar
    Biscuit Meg

    Just what we needed, another digital minister promising the moon while we’re still trying to figure out how to turn on our newfangled gadgets. 🤦‍♂️ Can’t wait for that digital wallet; I mean, who needs cash when you’ve got a government app that crashes more than my old BMW! 😂

    Reply
  14. gingersnap woman Avatar
    gingersnap woman

    Looks like Karsten’s got a plan to turn our ID cards into trendy mobile accessories. Who knew bureaucracy could be so fashionable? 🤷‍♂️📱

    Reply
  15. nightwonka Avatar
    nightwonka

    Just what we need, another digital wallet from a guy who’s probably still trying to figure out how to charge his smartphone. 🤦‍♂️ Can’t wait for the “exciting” age limits on social media—because who doesn’t want a politician telling us how to enjoy the internet? 😂

    Reply
  16. Jigsaw Avatar
    Jigsaw

    So, our beloved Karsten is dishing out the digital wallet like it’s a free sausage at the market—just what we needed, right? Can’t wait for the day when my ID card is just a swipe away, as if that’ll solve all our woes! 😂

    Reply

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