Call for East German Representation in Future Federal Cabinet

The political party Die Linke has emphasized the need for strong representation from East Germany within the upcoming federal government, particularly advocating for an East German politician to lead a key ministry. Dietmar Bartsch, a prominent figure in Die Linke, articulated this stance, insisting that either the Finance Ministry or the Ministry of Infrastructure should be headed by an individual from the eastern regions of the country.

Bartsch's call for representation stems from the recent electoral outcomes in East Germany, where the Alternative for Germany (AfD) party has significantly increased its support, often surpassing 30 percent of the vote. In the state of Thuringia, the AfD achieved its highest result, securing 38.6 percent of the second votes.

According to Bartsch, the AfD has emerged as the dominant party in the eastern federal states during the recent Bundestag elections. He emphasized that the new coalition government formed by the Christian Democratic Union (CDU) and the Social Democratic Party (SPD) must acknowledge these electoral realities. Bartsch argued that the eastern perspective should be represented at a central level rather than relegated to a nominal position, such as that of an 'Ostbeauftragter' (East Commissioner).

As coalition negotiations between the CDU and SPD progress, decisions regarding ministerial appointments are anticipated. The significance of the Ministry of Infrastructure is heightened due to the establishment of a special fund amounting to up to 500 billion euros, making it a critical area of focus, alongside the Finance Ministry.

Currently, two politicians from East Germany hold ministerial roles: Klara Geywitz from the SPD and Steffi Lemke from the Greens. Additionally, Carsten Schneider from the SPD serves as the East Commissioner and is a State Minister in the Federal Chancellery.