Bodo Ramelow decries East‑West divide during visit to Werra forced‑labour museum

German Bundestag Vice‑President Bodo Ramelow visited the Werra Kalibergmuseum in Heringen, where a new exhibition on forced labour under National Socialism was on display. While touring the exhibition, Ramelow warned that the eastern states are increasingly viewed as a “burden” and criticised the federal government for doing little to bridge the gap between East and West, noting the growing influence of the AfD in both regions. He also linked the harshening political debate to a broader global trend of digital‑mediated hostility. The visit highlighted technical measures at the nearby salt‑rock site, including a multi‑layer roof designed to prevent erosion and the recent commercial availability of edible salt mined in Thüringen.