Saskia Esken, the chair of the SPD, is calling for greater understanding of the critical mood among many people in East Germany.

In an interview with the Redaktionsnetzwerk Deutschland, she highlighted that deep-seated wounds from injustices during the reunification still affect the region.

Esken noted that the prevailing sentiment in the East is one of being governed without consideration for their voices.

She also pointed out that fewer businesses in East Germany are bound by collective agreements compared to the West, and that incomes remain low, contributing to the dissatisfaction.

With upcoming state elections in Saxony, Thuringia, and Brandenburg, these issues are becoming increasingly relevant as traditional parties struggle to connect with voters in the region.