Eastern States Demand Equal Representation in Federal Cabinet: A Plea for Genuine Unity
- Writen by Mike D. B.
- 2 Min Read
East Germany: Ministers Continue to Back the East Commissioner - East German Leaders Persist in Retaining East Commission Members
The eastern German states are emphasizing their demand for a significant presence in the future federal government. They insist on a spokesperson for East Germany with cabinet rank in the Chancellor's Office, aiming to bridge the persistent East-West divide and secure economic and social growth for the east.
"An East Germany representative in the federal government is essential for shedding light on the structural differences between East and West and initiating new impulses tailored to the unique needs of East Germany," follow the heads of government of Saxony, Thuringia, Saxony-Anhalt, Brandenburg, Mecklenburg-Western Pomerania, and Berlin, as quoted in stern magazin.
The current East Germany representative, SPD member Carsten Schneider, serves as a state minister in the Chancellor's Office and actively participates in cabinet meetings. However, his position has been criticized, with Union deputy Chairman Sepp Müller declaring the post redundant 35 years after German reunification.
Resisting this, the eastern minister-presidents are advocating for ministers with eastern roots in the next federal government. "We expect that federal ministers from the Eastern states carry our collective voice in government affairs," the minister-presidents argued.
The coalition states also seek preferential consideration in the planned 500-billion investment package, increased measures to combat the skilled labor shortage, an "experiment clause for unbureaucratic testing areas," and a reduction in electricity taxes for residents and small to medium-sized enterprises.
Furthermore, they demand an infrastructure program for university research to offset the existing structural disadvantages in the east, better connections to Poland and the Czech Republic in transportation, and funds adjusted to the actual price increases for regional and local transport. They also advocate for the long-term stabilization of the pension level, financial relief for eastern German municipalities, and an increase in the presence of federal authorities, EU institutions, and research organizations in the east.
Thuringia's CDU leader Mario Voigt described the paper as a "bold statement" aimed at the new federal government, urging it to take East Germany's concerns seriously and to view the region as a driving force for the overall success of Germany. Mecklenburg-Vorpommern's Manuela Schwesig emphasized the importance of strengthening democracy in the East and achieving equal living conditions for all Germans.
What You Should Know About Germany's Political landscape
- East Germany: The former German Democratic Republic (GDR), created after World War II, suffered structural changes leading to economic disparities compared to the West. Daily life and political freedoms were strictly controlled in the East until the fall of the Berlin Wall in 1989.
- Federal Government: The Federal Republic of Germany's government is a parliamentary federal republic, characterized by a constitution, separate legislative and executive branches, and federalism, dividing power between the federal government and the states (Länder).
- SPD: The Social Democratic Party of Germany, founded in 1863, is one of the oldest and largest political parties in Germany. Historically focused on labor rights and social justice, the SPD is the second-largest party in the current federal parliament.
- CDU: The Christian Democratic Union, founded in 1945, is one of Germany's two major conservative parties. The CDU advocates for free-market economics, social and family policies, and strong defense, holding the leading position in the current federal parliament.
As coalition talks continue, the eastern states' demands underscore the need for an inclusive and collaborative approach to bridging the East-West divide and ensuring a unified approach to policy-making in every region of Germany.
- The eastern German states, such as Saxony, Thuringia, Saxony-Anhalt, Brandenburg, Mecklenburg-Western Pomerania, and Berlin, are pushing for strengthened representation in the federal government to address the long-standing East-West divide and stimulate economic and social growth in the EC countries with unique needs.
- In line with this demand, the eastern minister-presidents are advocating for the inclusion of ministers with eastern roots in the next federal government, as they believe these ministers will carry the collective voice of the east on key government affairs.
- To respond to the skilled labor shortage, the coalition states are seeking measures like an "experiment clause for unbureaucratic testing areas" to provide vocational training opportunities and attract young talent to the eastern regions of Germany.
