Berlin Digitalization Secretary Hundt Withdraws Resignation Request Amidst Investigation
Berlin, May 29 – Matthias Hundt, Berlin’s State Secretary for Digitalization, has made a surprising U-turn, withdrawing his request for dismissal. This development was confirmed by his media lawyer, Ralf Höcker, following initial reports by the “Tagesspiegel.” Hundt had previously asked Governing Mayor Kai Wegner (CDU) to relieve him of his duties only on Tuesday, after news broke of a public prosecutor’s investigation into a company formerly associated with him. Hundt had only been in office for a little over two months.
Reasons for the Reversal
Hundt’s lawyer cited two primary reasons for the withdrawal of the resignation request. Firstly, Hundt was reportedly angered by rumors suggesting he had only offered his resignation to preempt an impending dismissal. Hundt had hoped his resignation offer would put an end to what he described as a “media campaign” against him, a hope that was not fulfilled.
Secondly, and more importantly, Hundt’s lawyer stated that the allegations against his client are baseless. He explained that an operational audit by the German Pension Insurance Federation is currently underway for SDC Sachsen Digital Consulting GmbH to determine if any outstanding contribution demands exist. Regarding the insolvency of Humboldt Capture Germany GmbH, Hundt’s lawyer asserted that his client bears no responsibility, as he was never a shareholder but only an external managing director until autumn 2024.
Background of the Investigation
The public prosecutor’s investigation in Dresden, which prompted Hundt’s initial resignation request, stems from the insolvency of a company linked to him. Reports from MDR and RBB revealed that insolvency proceedings were opened on November 25, 2025, over the assets of Hundt’s consulting firm, SDC Sachsen Digital Consulting GmbH.
Hundt’s Brief Tenure and Political Fallout
Matthias Hundt, born in Dresden in 1969, was appointed Chief Digital Officer and State Secretary for Digitalization and Administrative Modernization in the Berlin Senate Chancellery in mid-March. He succeeded Martina Klement, who moved to the Brandenburg state government as Economic Minister.
Governing Mayor Wegner faced criticism from various political factions, including the SPD and the Greens, regarding Hundt’s appointment. Following Hundt’s initial resignation request, a successor had already been announced: Florian Hauer was to take on the responsibilities in addition to his current roles as the State of Berlin’s authorized representative to the federal government and State Secretary for Federal and European Affairs.
Future Implications
The sudden reversal by Hundt leaves questions about the stability of the digitalization portfolio within the Berlin Senate. The ongoing audit and the public prosecutor’s investigation will likely continue to cast a shadow over his position. The Senatskanzlei has yet to comment on Hundt’s latest decision.
