Federal Chancellor Friedrich Merz (CDU), speaking on the 35th anniversary of German reunification, emphasized the importance of looking forward. East and West Germany have now been united almost as long as they were divided, he said during his speech at the commemorative event on Friday in Saarbrücken. Therefore, he wanted to "only briefly look back." Looking ahead, he called for a "new unity."
Over the past 35 years, much has been said about "mutual misunderstandings" and the avoidability of mistakes, Merz continued. However, he considers German reunification to be fundamentally successful. This view is also "recognized" abroad. Now, he said, it is important to focus "on what truly matters" and to move forward "with confidence."
Bundesrat President Anke Rehlinger (SPD) advocated for ending the expectation that East Germany must conform to the West. "Isn't it strange that we mostly measure the success of German unity by how well the eastern states have adapted?" said the Saarland Minister-President. "Does the East really have to change until it becomes like the West? I don't think that's a good idea."
In the end, the challenges are the same in both East and West, Rehlinger explained. "Transformation in Lusatia is hardly different from that in Völklingen. In Eisenhüttenstadt, it's similar to Saarlouis." Therefore, unity should not be seen as a task of internal German alignment. Instead, the necessary changes must be tackled together.
Merz described the current period as a "difficult time for our country." In light of threats to Germany and the EU from "new alliances of autocracies," he called for Germany to become capable of defending itself. Economically, he emphasized the need for "competitiveness" and a "renewed ambition to be technologically leading." Climate protection is important, but it must be "compatible" with prosperity. The welfare state must be preserved at its core - "for those who truly need it."
"We must understand today that many things need to change if many things are to remain as good or even become better than they have been in our country," Merz said. However, he did not offer concrete ideas on how to achieve this. What is not needed, he added, is "pessimism and self-pity," as these waste "a lot of energy."
French President Emmanuel Macron was invited as the guest of honor at the event in Saarbrücken. In his speech, he warned of a "decline" in democracies, partly due to hybrid attacks from authoritarian regimes. With particular reference to the war in Ukraine, Macron called for strengthening European defense capabilities. This does not mean arming for war, but rather deterring others from attacking.
Former Chancellor Angela Merkel (CDU) indirectly criticized Macron's invitation. "As much as I appreciate President Macron, perhaps someone from Eastern Europe or East Germany could have been chosen as the guest speaker," she said Thursday evening on ZDF's "Heute Journal."
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