ZenDiS in Crisis: Why the Dismissal of Jutta Horstmann is a Warning Signal for Open Source

The sudden dismissal of Jutta Horstmann as the managing director of the Center for Digital Sovereignty (ZenDiS) raises fundamental questions about the strategic direction of public IT in Germany. Where does digital sovereignty stand when visionaries leave?

A Setback at the Wrong Time

Amidst a phase where Open Source initiatives in public administration are finally gaining momentum, the Federal Ministry of the Interior (BMI) surprises with a decision that not only confuses but also raises serious doubts about the federal government’s digital agenda. Jutta Horstmann, a recognized OSS expert and long-time advocate of free software, was dismissed from her role at ZenDiS without specific justification.

Officially, the BMI speaks of a “bundling of processes and competencies.” In fact, however, ZenDiS loses its strategic voice—precisely at a moment when Open Source needs more political backing and expert leadership than ever.

From Strategic Change to Operational Sales?

With Horstmann’s departure, there is a fear that ZenDiS will shift from a strategically thinking entity to a mere product sales platform. The original aim was different: Open Source was not only to be delivered but also conveyed, explained, and broadly anchored—technically, culturally, and organizationally.

The introduction of openDesk as the digital workplace of the administration was never just a software decision. It was about sovereignty against Microsoft & Co., about data protection, freedom of innovation, and European cooperation. Initial partnerships were established with France and the Netherlands—a promising start that could now falter.

Digital Sovereignty Needs Leadership, Not Administration

Without strategic leadership, ZenDiS risks a dangerous imbalance: efficiency over vision, delivery logic over long-term strategy. The IT Planning Council had already recognized in 2021 how dangerous the dependency of public administration on US corporations like Microsoft, Oracle, or VMware is. Open Source was the chosen counter-model—open, controllable, independent.

This direction loses its focus if the Center for Digital Sovereignty operates without OSS expertise at the top. The retention of Alexander Pockrandt as commercial director—without apparent Open Source expertise—fuels this impression.

What is Important Now

For Open Source in the public sector to be more than a political alibi, it needs:

Conclusion: Now the Direction Counts

The debate about ZenDiS is more than a personnel issue. It is a litmus test of whether the federal government truly wants digital sovereignty—or if, in doubt, it prefers to stick to the familiar, proprietary paths. Companies like ayedo advocate for genuine, sustainable Open Source strategies that enable long-term independence, security, and innovation.

Because digital sovereignty is not a project. It is a principle. And that requires more than just a fig leaf.