(de-news.net) – Politicians from the Social Democratic Party (SPD) and the Greens have dismissed calls from the Union to abolish the office of the Federal Government’s Commissioner for Eastern Germany. Both parties intend to retain the office even after the Bundestag elections, countering recent statements from the Union.

Frank Junge, chairman of the SPD’s Eastern Group, underscored the persistent East-West disparities and the necessity of an Eastern Commissioner to address them. Paula Piechotta, spokeswoman for the Greens’ Eastern Group, emphasized the significant disparities in life expectancy, wealth, and representation in leadership positions between East and West Germans, advocating for the continued existence of the office.

Conversely, Sepp Müller, deputy chairman of the CDU/CSU parliamentary group, contended that the office is obsolete in the 35th year of German reunification. He acknowledged ongoing East-specific issues but highlighted similar problems in structurally weak regions of West Germany, advocating for a reduction in the number of government commissioners overall.