Germany: Next president should come from east, says official

The German government's commissioner for eastern Germany has expressed a desire for the next president to come from the eastern region. Elisabeth Kaiser, a member of the center-left Social Democratic Party, stated in an interview with the Neue Osnabrücker Zeitung that eastern Germans are underrepresented in positions of power. She argued that the absence of an eastern German head of state can create the impression that residents of eastern Germany have no role in leading the country.

Kaiser suggested that it is the right time for an eastern German to assume the presidency again, adding that a smart woman from eastern Germany would be an ideal candidate. President Frank-Walter Steinmeier's second and final term ends in March 2027, and the Federal Convention is scheduled to elect his successor on January 30. Joachim Gauck, born in Rostock and serving as president from 2012 to 2017, is the only president from eastern Germany since German reunification.

Kaiser also highlighted the persistent disparities between eastern and western Germany in income, wealth, and representation in leadership roles, stating that these differences must be addressed to achieve true German unity.