The unspoken break: The growing gap between West and East

More than three decades after German reunification, it is becoming increasingly clear that political unity did not automatically bring about a social and mental merger. While the economic differences between East and West Germany are gradually getting smaller, a new division is emerging elsewhere: the alienation between the West German politicalmanagement classes and the East German population. This development not only represents a serious democratic problem, but also reveals a deeply rooted structural ignorance of the realities of life in the new federal states.

Political Representation: One-sided Dominance

A central feature of this alienation is the unequal distribution of political power. Management positions in parties, ministries and federal authorities are still predominantly occupied by West Germans. Voices from East Germany are strongly underrepresented in the country’s decision centers, and when they are heard, this is often only done under the reservation of aWest German interpretation sovereignty. This structural inequality means that political decisions often ignore the needs and experiences of the East German population. Topics such as deindustrialization, emigration, loss of identity or the consequences of change since 1990 are rarely treated with the necessary depth and empathy. Instead, a West German dominatesViewing angle, which sees East Germany either as a problem case or as a field of experimentation for political measures.

mentality differences and mutual misunderstandings

The alienation is not only evident on an institutional level, but is also culturally noticeable. Many West German politicians meet East German voters with incomprehension or even distrust. The high level of approval of new parties, skepticism towards established institutions and a critical attitude towards migration and globalization are often hastydismissed as irrational or retrograde. These reactions are often an expression of real experiences: the loss of security, the devaluation of biographical achievements and the feeling of not being heard. Anyone who generally condemns these reactions instead of understanding them deepens the division and promotes the feeling of political alienation. The East German population will notperceived as an equivalent part of political culture, but treated as a special case that requires a special explanation.

Symbolic exclusion and distorted media images

The media representation also contributes significantly to the alienation. East German regions are often documented with terms such as “suspended”, “structured” or “radicalized”. The focus is on the diversity, innovative strength and cultural independence of the new federal states. Instead of differentiated reporting, a deficit narrative dominates the self-awareness of manyEast German violated and distorted her life reality This symbolic exclusion also influences political communication significantly. Election campaigns, campaigns and political programs are often tailored to West German target groups. Concerns from East Germany are either ignored or exploited – serious integration takes place rarely.

Democratic risks and social consequences

The growing alienation has a concrete impact on democracy. Trust in state institutions is dwindling, voter turnout is lower in many East German regions, while extreme or populist parties are increasing. These developments are not a fundamental expression of a problem of democracy, but a reaction to political non-observance.If large parts of the population do not feel represented, a dangerous breeding ground for radicalization and social division is formed. The gap between West and East is not only deepening geographically, but also mentally and emotionally. The political elite loses the connection to the reality of life of a significant part of the population – and thus also their legitimacy.

The urgency of a new political understanding

The alienation between West German political elites and the East German population is not an unchangeable fate, but the result of structural ignorance, cultural misunderstandings and lack of representation. A new political approach must rethink fundamentally reunite – there must be no taboos. This is the only way our society not onlyadministratively, but also socially and democratically. The time for this is long overdue.