Woidke wants several ministerial posts for East Germans

Brandenburg's Minister President Dietmar Woidke (SPD) is calling for a fifth of ministerial posts in the future federal government to be filled by East Germans. "We make up around 20 percent of the population. It would only be appropriate to have this proportion in the cabinet," Woidke told the "Märkische Allgemeine" newspaper. "A signal must be sent to the outside world. We East German minister presidents will clearly demand this when appointing the cabinet. And we will not be any more comfortable in the future. No matter which party we belong to."

With this, Woidke is backing the demand of his Saxon counterpart Michael Kretschmer. Saxony's CDU Minister-President is calling for several ministerial posts in a black-red coalition to be filled by East German politicians. "The percentage of the population should also be reflected in the federal government," Kretschmer told the German Press Agency. Kretschmer is part of the core negotiating team of the CDU, CSU and SPD, who are currently discussing a joint coalition.

Woidke: Merz has what it takes to be a good chancellor

One fifth of the current cabinet would be three people. The executive federal cabinet consists of 15 people, including the chancellor and the head of the chancellery. Klara Geywitz and Steffi Lemke come from East Germany.

Brandenburg's SPD head of government spoke positively about CDU leader Friedrich Merz, who is expected to become the next Federal Chancellor. "We haven't spoken too often yet. But my impression of him is good," said Woidke. "He has what it takes to become a good chancellor for Germany. This country needs security and stability."