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Mecklenburg-Vorpommern Ditches Microsoft for Digital Sovereignty
🇩🇪 Germany /Technology

Mecklenburg-Vorpommern Ditches Microsoft for Digital Sovereignty

From Die Zeit · () German

Translated from German, summarized and contextualized by DistantNews.

At a glance

News Named sources Context piece
  • Mecklenburg-Vorpommern is phasing out Microsoft software to gain digital sovereignty and save costs.
  • The state is implementing the open-source platform Nextcloud, with over 50,000 public employees to use it.
  • Mecklenburg-Vorpommern is collaborating with Schleswig-Holstein, a pioneer in open-source software, and plans to use European AI models.

Mecklenburg-Vorpommern is taking a bold step toward digital independence by gradually replacing software from U.S. tech giants like Microsoft. The state aims to enhance its digital sovereignty and achieve long-term cost savings through this strategic shift.

The core of this new strategy involves adopting Nextcloud, a German-developed open-source online platform. This system allows for secure file storage, sharing, team chat, and video conferencing without relinquishing control of data to external providers. The transition has already begun smoothly for the first 5,000 employees, moving from Microsoft SharePoint to Nextcloud, according to Marco Anschütz, the state's Chief Information Officer for IT and Digitalization.

This initiative is ambitious, with plans to extend the system to over 50,000 public service employees across ministries and local authorities. The software will be operated on the state's own infrastructure by the state-owned IT service provider DVZ M-V GmbH. This move not only strengthens data control but also fosters a more self-sufficient digital environment.

It's not just about achieving digital sovereignty, but also about saving money in the medium and long term.

— Heiko GeueMecklenburg-Vorpommern's Finance Minister explaining the dual goals of the digital strategy to the German Press Agency (dpa).

Mecklenburg-Vorpommern is not alone in this endeavor. In October 2025, it formed a technological alliance with Schleswig-Holstein, a state recognized as a national pioneer in adopting open-source software. By aligning their infrastructures, both states aim to bolster IT security and establish mutual emergency support scenarios.

Regarding artificial intelligence (AI), Mecklenburg-Vorpommern is proactively avoiding dependence on U.S. tech giants like Microsoft, OpenAI, Google, or Amazon. For its administrative chatbot, 'Lea,' the state is deliberately eschewing U.S. hyperscalers. Instead, it plans to leverage European language models such as Mistral from France or Tilde from Latvia, as stated by Anschütz. While embracing open-source and European solutions, the state does not plan a complete break from Microsoft, with Windows PCs in administration not slated for immediate replacement with Linux.

Instead, we want to rely on European language models like Mistral from France or Tilde from Latvia.

— Marco AnschützThe state's Chief Information Officer for IT and Digitalization discussing the approach to artificial intelligence.
DistantNews Editorial

Originally published by Die Zeit in German. Translated, summarized, and contextualized by our editorial team with added local perspective. Read our editorial standards.

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