Denmark's Ministry for Digital Affairs is embarking on a significant transition from Microsoft's proprietary software to open-source alternatives, specifically Linux and LibreOffice. This move, set to commence next month, will initially involve half of the ministry's employees, with plans to extend the migration to all staff by autumn. The primary motivations behind this shift include cost savings, enhanced digital sovereignty, and reduced dependency on U.S.-based software providers.
Caroline Stage, Denmark's Minister for Digital Affairs, emphasized that "digital sovereignty" is a cornerstone of the ministry's new four-year digitalization strategy. By adopting open-source solutions, the ministry aims to have greater control over its digital infrastructure and data management practices. Additionally, this transition is expected to alleviate the financial and logistical challenges associated with maintaining Windows 10, which is approaching the end of its official support period.
This initiative is not isolated within Denmark. Major cities such as Copenhagen and Aarhus have also expressed intentions to phase out Microsoft software in favor of open-source alternatives. These municipalities have cited geopolitical considerations, including previous U.S. administration policies, as factors influencing their decisions. The broader political discourse in Denmark reflects a growing consensus on the need to reduce reliance on U.S. technology companies and to support open-source solutions that offer greater transparency and control.
Denmark's move aligns with a broader European trend toward open-source adoption in public institutions. For instance, the German state of Schleswig-Holstein announced plans to transition 30,000 government computers from Microsoft Windows and Office to Linux and LibreOffice by 2026. This decision was driven by a desire for digital sovereignty, cost savings, and enhanced security. Similarly, in 2015, Italy's Ministry of Defence began replacing Microsoft Office with LibreOffice across 150,000 PCs, aiming to standardize on the Open Document Format (ODF) and reduce licensing costs.
The Danish Ministry for Digital Affairs' transition to open-source software represents a significant step toward digital independence and reflects a growing European movement to embrace open-source solutions in the public sector. While challenges such as software compatibility and user training are anticipated, the potential benefits in terms of cost savings, enhanced security, and greater control over digital infrastructure make this a noteworthy development in the realm of public sector IT management.
Source: PCMag UK Denmark Wants to Dump Microsoft Software for Linux, LibreOffice
