Overview

• President Frank-Walter Steinmeier urged citizens to shield democracy, warning that the political center is losing support, particularly in the East.
• Ostbeauftragte Elisabeth Kaiser’s 2025 report says many youths in the East grow up in low-income, low-wealth households, with fewer parental resources during key life phases and weaker social infrastructure in rural areas.
• Kaiser called for improving wealth-building opportunities for young people from poorer families, citing options under debate such as inheritance or wealth taxes, a basic capital grant, and a state-supported early savings plan.
• A YouGov survey reports 30% nationwide—rising to 43% in the East—believe East and West are more divided than united, underscoring declining feelings of cohesion.
• DIW analysis finds eastern productivity at about 90% of western levels and roughly two million net out-migrations since reunification, as the federal government advances steps like the Halle Zukunftszentrum and efforts to boost East German representation in leadership while regional leaders call for respect and civic engagement.