Germany's eastern commissioner: old problems persist, but new eastern identity emerges

Federal Commissioner for Eastern Germany Carsten Schneider presented his annual report on the state of eastern German regions, warning that structural disparities with western Germany remain deeply entrenched more than three decades after reunification.

Persistent problems

According to the report, average wages in eastern German states are still around 15 to 20 percent lower than in the west, and the region continues to face significant outmigration of skilled workers and young people. Infrastructure gaps in transportation and digital connectivity also remain a concern, the report notes.

We have made progress, but the structural problems are not yet solved. The economic convergence has stalled in recent years, Schneider stated.

A growing eastern identity

Schneider highlighted a notable cultural development: a growing sense of distinct eastern German identity, particularly among younger generations who did not personally experience the GDR era. This identity is described as neither nostalgic for the past nor simply a reaction to perceived western condescension, but a positive self-understanding rooted in the region's own history and challenges.

The report also noted rising support for populist parties in the east, which Schneider attributed in part to unresolved economic grievances and a sense of political underrepresentation at the federal level.