Regulation: Klaus Müller should continue to lead the Federal Network Agency in the future

Berlin. Klaus Müller, President of the Federal Network Agency, is expected to remain in office for another five years. The Handelsblatt learned this from Bundestag member Mark Helfrich (CDU), who is also chairman of the Netzagentur's advisory board. Helfrich ends months of speculation.

According to Helfrich, Müller's re-election is on the agenda of the advisory board meeting on November 23rd. The relevant invitations would be sent out this Monday, he said. The Netzagentur's advisory board is made up of members of the Bundestag and representatives of the state governments.

The vote of the members of the advisory board is formally viewed as a proposal for the federal government and it is considered certain that the federal cabinet will approve the proposal. The advisory board coordinated with the federal government in advance of its vote.

Helfrich said that the ministries of economics, transport and digital affairs in particular were in favor of Müller's second term in office. In terms of content, the three houses have the strongest links to the Bonn authority.

Müller's term of office ends at the end of February 2027. Müller came into office under Federal Economics Minister Robert Habeck (Greens) in March 2022. Müller is a member of the Green Party.

It was not a given that Müller's five-year term in office would now be extended by another five years. Another term in office was met with reservations in the Union faction. For example, Union parliamentary group vice-president Sepp Müller (CDU) criticized the head of the authority's power.

“A second term for Klaus Müller was not automatic,” admitted Helfrich. But they managed to convince the government factions. “There is broad support there for a second term in office,” said Helfrich.

Helfrich emphasized that he worked very well with Klaus Müller. “His professional competence is undisputed, he does a good job,” added the CDU politician. "Klaus Müller is ready to tackle hot topics. Unfortunately, that's not a given for a head of authority."

The Federal Network Agency plays a key role in the energy transition, the telecommunications market, postal services and rail infrastructure. The authority has recently gained more power. The background is a ruling by the European Court of Justice (ECJ) from 2021. This obliges EU member states to grant regulatory authorities complete independence.

The network agency can set regulations – and also apply them – through so-called stipulations. Norm setters and norm adopters coincide here. The traffic light coalition had to implement the ECJ's requirements into national law. The corresponding change to the Energy Industry Act (EnWG) came into force at the beginning of 2024.

Müller initiated a number of reforms and made fundamental decisions. They concern, for example, the level of network fees that electricity and gas network operators are allowed to charge. Depreciation options for network operators and exemptions for industry network fees are also in the hands of the authority.

According to Helfrich, it is still unclear whether Müller's deputy, Barbie Kornelia Haller, will remain in office for another five years. Haller has been Vice President of the authority since June 2022, her term of office ends at the end of May 2027. Haller is an FDP member.