Tomorrow is German Unity Day. But in the East in particular, according to Left Party leader Bartsch, “dissatisfaction is boiling over.” He is therefore calling for an East Germany summit – in view of the AfD’s high poll numbers there.
Shortly before German Unity Day, the head of the Left parliamentary group in the Bundestag, Dietmar Bartsch, called on the federal government to convene a top meeting on East Germany. “The discontent in the East is boiling over,” Bartsch told the editorial network Germany (RND). An East Germany summit is therefore needed in the Chancellery.
The federal government must “make a noticeable change in its policy if there is not to be a political disaster in the state elections in the east next year.” In 2024, a new state parliament will be elected in Saxony, Thuringia and Brandenburg. In all three countries, the AfD, which is partly right-wing extremist, is currently leading the polls.
“Consistent anti-inflation policy”
What is needed is a consistent anti-inflation policy that avoids anything that makes life more expensive and does everything to reduce prices, especially for food and energy, said Bartsch. In addition, wages in East and West would have to be equalized by 2025 and the pension system would have to be reformed.
The central celebrations for German Unity Day will take place in Hamburg this year. The community festival is already opening there today. The official ceremony will take place tomorrow – on German Unity Day – in the Elbphilharmonie.