Munich dumps proprietary for open source (again) – but no Linux desktop
Open source in the public sector doesn’t fail because of technical issues. It fails because it’s not aligned with the political agenda
Munich has reverted from its previous Linux desktop deployment to open-source software alternatives. Dr. Laura Dornheim, Munich’s chief digital officer, cited politics as the reason for the city’s initial switch to Linux in 2003, which led to a migration from Windows NT 4.0. However, Munich abandoned its LiMux Linux desktop project in 2013 due to political changes.
The city is now replacing proprietary software with open-source alternatives across its infrastructure programs. These replacements are expected to save the city around €1.5 million annually. Dornheim emphasized that open-source failures in the public sector are often due to misalignment with the political agenda, rather than technical issues.
Despite the shift away from LiMux, Munich remains committed to open-source software, aiming to enhance digital sovereignty while ensuring political support.
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