Ramelow states that the East has no need for apologies.
The Prime Minister of Thuringia, Bodo Ramelow, expressed concern over the growing divide between East and West Germans amidst the success of the AfD in the recent European elections in Eastern Germany. He stated that questions about the gratitude of Eastern Germans exacerbate this divide. "The East doesn't need to apologize," he added, "but rather seen as an opportunity." He further mentioned that the emotional unity is weakening, and this expectation of gratitude is driving further division.
As the state election approaches on September 1st, Ramelow is hopeful, stating that personal elections have been detrimental to the AfD.
The leader of the CDU, Hendrik Wuest, who serves as the Prime Minister of North Rhine-Westphalia, called for more exchange and closer connections between East and West Germany. He envisioned a "reunification treaty 2.0" that would not only solidify the unity but also bring people closer together. Wuest suggested bringing young people from East and West Germany together through various collaborative projects, stating that exchange creates trust and understanding.
This exchange, Wuest explained, could resemble the one seen in European city partnerships. He admitted that many people in North Rhine-Westphalia know more about malls in Mallorca than the states of Saxony or Thuringia and suggested working towards bringing people together again.
Wuest also endorsed the idea of reviving the Round Table, which was present during the reunification period. He believed in the open approach of individuals with diverse opinions coming together for a common democratic future.
In surveys, it showed that the majority of Germans observed minimal growth or no growth whatsoever in the unification of East and West since 1990. One major issue is the persisting income disparities between East and West Germany, 33 years after reunification.
The AfD secured the position of the second-highest force in the European elections, with a provisional official result of 15.9%. This was the biggest accomplishment for the party in the European Parliament elections. The newly founded Wagenknecht Party, BSW, clinched the third-best position in the East.
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In contrast to Wüst's call for reconciliation, Ramelow remains unfazed by the expectation of gratitude from the West, asserting that the East needs no apologies during the upcoming local elections in Thuringia on September 1st. The divisive rhetoric surrounding the gratitude of Eastern Germans, as Ramelow sees it, only widens the gap between East and West.
With the AfD achieving significant success in the recent European elections in Eastern Germany, Ramelow believes that personal elections have been detrimental to the party, offering hope for a change in the political landscape.
