Elisabeth Kaiser calls for East German Federal President

Elisabeth Kaiser, the German government's Commissioner for the New Federal States, has called for an East German to hold the office of Federal President. Speaking on the occasion of German Unity Day, the SPD politician argued that “the time is ripe for an East German head of state again.”

Kaiser highlighted persistent structural inequalities between East and West Germany, specifically noting disparities in income, wealth, and inheritance. She also pointed out a lack of East German representation in high-level political leadership positions, suggesting that the current absence of Easterners in top roles can create the impression that they lack a significant role in leading the country.

While acknowledging East Germany's progress as an innovation and science hub, Kaiser emphasized that overcoming these socio-economic differences is essential to fully completing German unity.