Elizabeth Kaiser is from Gera, in the eastern state of Thuryingia. Germany was still divided when the federal commissioner was born in 1987 for East Germany. Two years later, Berlin’s wall collapsed, and on 3 October, 1990, Communist GDR became history.
“I have not consciously experienced the period of reunion, but the stories of my parents and grandparents have shaped me,” Emperor wrote in an annual report in Berlin in an annual report presented on time for the 35th anniversary of the German unity day. For the 38-year-old member of the Center-Vam-Vam Social Democratic Party (SPD), this is the first, as it has been in the office since May 2025, when the new federal government was formed.
In his report, political scientists focus on how younger people are experiencing a Germany that has been united for 35 years. Still the title he gave indicates on the difference between East and East: “Is it growing in unity?”
Formally, the answer is “yes”, because now only a German nation.
“We are the first generation to socially develop children from the late 1980s and 1990s in an integrated Germany,” the Emperor has written in the forefront of the report. “Nevertheless, for the youngsters growing there, the ‘former’ is more calm than a compass point.
East german identity
Kaiser, who studied at the University of Potsdam in Brandenberg’s eastern state, sees the difference between his and small people from East West Germany.
“Many young people … labels cannot belong to ‘West German’ – if they live on the coast or near the Alps, in particular, the young East German, Osis more often identify themel,” she wrote, using the word for the people of the east.
Kaiser believes that there are good reasons for this. Even though young Germans have grown up for three and a half decades in the same country, their upbringing conditions are still different from important methods.
“This is uniquely true outside the East German cities,” he said.
Low income, more welfare
In its report, Kaiser refers to a study on equality between East and West. This indicates that in small towns and rural areas, public transport and medical facilities are no longer widely guaranteed in eastern states. In addition, people earn less than average and are more likely to depend on social benefits.
“Vath is very low in the east compared to the west,” the Emperor said.
“It shapes the lives of many East German people well in adult death,” he wrote, because they are less likely to be able to rely on their parents for financial assistance throughout their lives.
In addition, the aging of the population in the rural areas of East Germany is pronounced higher than in the western regions. The proportion of young people is below the national average.
Amir West, Poor East
While presenting his report, the emperor explained in detail on this aspect: “To date, the young people are deprived in the past because money is mainly passed through heritage,” which East Germans should not expect.
The figures published by the Federal Statistical Office for 2024 underline this: tax offices in western states reported more than € 106 billion ($ 124.5 billion) in inheritance or talented money. In the east, including Berlin, the figure was less than seven billion. This per capita is about four times more in the west. Kaiser finds this problematic and believes that a serious debate on changes in heritage laws can be warned.
An idea that has been swimmed is “Heritage for Everyone” proposal was put forward by the German Institute for Economic Research (DIW) several years ago. It receives a “heritage” of € 20,000 for all Germany youth, starts a business or invests in real estate. It will be funded by taxes on large heritage.
However, the theme is still unpopular with a lot of conservatives, including some in the Christian Democratic Union (CDU) of Chancellor Frederick Merz.
Finally, the evaluation of Kaiser is a mixed bag. Eastern Germany has developed well in many regions, the economy has increased, a vibrant start-up scene, and this area is leading in the expansion of renewable energy.
But in the long run, all this will not be sufficient to the difference with the West. And this is even more difficult to change in future due to the population of aging and migration of many youth in the West in the east.
While the population of Berlin has not decreased, two million people have lost sick reunion in the past – 16%fall. Currently, five East German states still have only 12.5 million residents.
During the same period, the population increased by 10%in West Germany, about 68 million people.
This article was original in German.
When you are here: Every Tuesday, what is happening in German politics and society. You can sign up here for weekly email newsletter, Berlin Briefing.