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Eastern German Leaders Convene in Berlin to Address Economic Disparity
BERLIN – The premiers of the five eastern German states are meeting in the capital on Thursday to discuss strategies for boosting the region’s economy, which continues to trail behind that of former West Germany. This summit comes at a crucial time, particularly following recent parliamentary elections that highlighted a significant surge in support for the far-right Alternative for Germany (AfD) party in eastern regions.
Eastern German Premiers Focus on Economic Parity
A policy document, released last month and serving as the foundation for these discussions, advocates for increased investment in research and development, a reduction in bureaucratic processes, lower energy expenses, and a stronger advocacy for eastern German interests within the federal government in Berlin.
Summit Leadership and Key Participants
Mario Voigt, the premier of Thuringia, is presiding over this significant conference of eastern German state leaders.
Participants in the meeting include representatives from the states of:
- Thuringia
- Saxony
- Saxony-Anhalt
- Brandenburg
- Berlin
- Mecklenburg-Vorpommern
Carsten Schneider, the current federal government commissioner for eastern Germany, is also participating.
Business Sector Representation
The gathering at the Thuringian state representation in Berlin has also invited figures from the business community. Among the attendees is Ralf-Uwe Bauer, the president of the Chamber of Industry and Commerce of Eastern Thuringia in Gera, emphasizing the importance of private sector input in regional economic strategies.
Addressing the Economic Catch-Up Challenge
The five eastern states, formerly East Germany, underwent unification with West Germany in 1990. This integration involved a sometimes challenging shift from a communist centrally planned economic system to a Western free market model, resulting in persistent economic differences.
Vision for Eastern Germany’s Future
Premier Voigt stated prior to the meeting that eastern Germany is already an important commercial hub and a center for innovation.
Ambitions for Regional Leadership
Voigt further articulated, “Our objective is to establish the economic, infrastructural, and social framework in a way that the east not only closes the economic gap but emerges as a leader.” This highlights the strong ambition among eastern German leaders to not just equalize economic conditions but to drive future growth and development.