East German Minister Presidents: Federal government must strengthen eastern Germany

In the view of the East German minister presidents, the East of Germany must be adequately represented in a new federal government. The commissioner for eastern Germany must continue to have cabinet rank in order to keep the structural differences between east and west visible. The CDU/CSU wants to reduce the number of government commissioners and dispense with the Commissioner for Eastern Germany, while the SPD wants to retain the office.

"We also expect federal ministers with an East German background to be appointed," reads a seven-page joint declaration by the East German minister presidents. These demands must be taken into account in a new coalition agreement.

The declaration is entitled "Shaping the future region of eastern Germany together". In it, the heads of government of the eastern German federal states call on the CDU/CSU and SPD not to lose sight of eastern Germany as a region of the future in their coalition negotiations, but rather to strengthen and promote it.

In the 35th year of German reunification, Germany is at a political turning point. "Citizens rightly expect a new beginning for society and the economy as a whole," says the paper, which lists demands in the areas of the economy, energy and society, among others.

Take the east into account when investing

Federal policy must once again take greater account of the realities in the federal states and municipalities. Eastern Germany continues to be characterized by structural peculiarities that require a specific political response. The locational disadvantages of the structurally weak regions of eastern Germany in the areas of business-related infrastructure and regional services of general interest should be given greater consideration in the federal government's investment programs.

The economic transformation of eastern Germany is a success story that must be continued, said the heads of government. However, the small-scale economic structure in eastern Germany suffers particularly from bureaucratic burdens and therefore urgently needs to be relieved. The paper contains clear criticism of local authority debt. Even in the 35th year of German reunification, the federal government does not bear full financial responsibility for the burden of the old debts on the East German municipalities through no fault of their own.