Giffey: Structural development is a task for Germany as a whole

Berlin's Senator for Economic Affairs Franziska Giffey (SPD) is calling for a differentiated view of eastern Germany and believes an all-German investment strategy is necessary. "We can be proud of what we have achieved in East Germany," said the SPD politician in an interview with the news portal "Web.de News". "I'm really tired of this debate along the lines of 'the East is so bad'."

There are many booming regions, said Giffey. Mecklenburg-Western Pomerania, Berlin and Brandenburg are among the fastest-growing economic regions. The innovation centers of Potsdam, Leipzig, Dresden, Jena and Erfurt are leaders in many areas. "The majority of clean energy today comes from the East," emphasized the SPD politician.

Structural disadvantages still exist

At the same time, there are structural disadvantages: lower wages, the majority of corporate headquarters are in the West, the major investment capital is located in West Germany. "If you want to fly to the East, you have to change planes in Munich or Frankfurt," said Giffey. Management positions in business or science are mostly filled in West Germany. "This worsens the situation in regions in the east that are already structurally weak."

The Senator for Economic Affairs called for a pan-German investment strategy: "Structural development is a holistic and pan-German task." In addition to lighthouse projects, SMEs, art and culture as well as start-ups should be promoted.

Her party must also strengthen its role as an economic policy force, Giffey emphasized. "The SPD must not only be the party of workers, but also the party of entrepreneurs. We must not lose them to the CDU."