German Unity Day: Leaders Call for Greater Equality Between East and West

Thirty years after reunification, East-West inequalities persist. Leaders urge action to complete German unity.

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2025 October 25 . 6:03 AM

1 min read

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German Unity Day: Leaders Call for Greater Equality Between East and West

German Unity Day was marked by calls for greater equality between the former East and West, with leaders acknowledging persistent disparities in wages and pensions. Minister-President Mario Voigt of Thuringia called for a 'second takeoff' for Germany, while SPD state chairman Georg Maier urged stronger consideration of Eastern German interests in social policy debates.

Voigt paid tribute to the peaceful revolution of 1989, emphasizing that without East Germans, there would be no German unity. He suggested that East Germans' attitude after 1990 could serve as a lesson today: 'Just do it, don't overanalyze everything, but get your hands dirty.'

Maier pointed out that despite 30 years of unity, there are still noticeable differences between East and West Germany. He highlighted lower pensions and wages in the East, stating that these inequalities persist and hinder the completion of German unity. Augsten, BSW faction leader, echoed these sentiments, calling the wage differences 'unacceptable.'

On German Unity Day, political leaders emphasized the need to address the ongoing economic disparities between the former East and West. Voigt's call for a 'second takeoff' and Maier's demand for stronger consideration of Eastern German interests in social policy debates underscore the importance of continued efforts towards unity and equality.