Thuringian head of government calls for more investment

Thuringia's Minister President Mario Voigt (CDU) has called for more investment following consultations between the heads of government of eastern Germany. "As heads of government, we agree that the financial situation of the federal states and investment activity must be improved," he told the German Press Agency in Erfurt.

In addition, they had agreed to position themselves jointly on eastern German issues. "Federal policy must once again take greater account of the realities in the federal states and municipalities - be it in migration policy, energy policy or health and care provision."

Voigt reiterated his call for a greater focus on eastern German issues in a new federal government. He told "Der Spiegel": "The East must have a seat at the negotiating and cabinet table." More investment in infrastructure is also needed. Saxony's Minister President Michael Kretschmer (CDU) told "Der Spiegel" that the East must be a "priority" for the new federal government.

In Berlin, the CDU/CSU and SPD began exploring the possibilities of forming a black-red federal government. The CDU/CSU emerged victorious in the federal elections last Sunday. In contrast, the AfD came first in all five eastern German states.