A significant shift in sentiment regarding German reunification is emerging from eastern Germany, according to a recent poll conducted by Insa and published by “Super Illu”. The survey, encompassing 1,000 residents of eastern Germany, including Berlin, reveals a growing desire to move beyond terminology that many perceive as outdated and perpetuating a sense of “otherness.
For three and a half decades, the term “neue Bundesländer” (new federal states) has been the standard designation for the states formerly comprising the German Democratic Republic. However, the survey indicates that a resounding 65% of eastern Germans now find the term inappropriate, signaling a potential disconnect between official nomenclature and lived experience. Only 22% believe the phrase remains relevant.
This dissatisfaction isn’t necessarily translating into a unified alternative. While “östliche Bundesländer” (eastern federal states) gains some traction, with 33% favoring it, a combined 37% view it as either roughly equivalent (10%) or equally problematic (27%) to the existing designation. This nuanced response suggests a deeper yearning for a term that accurately reflects the region’s integrated status within the Federal Republic.
Beyond the linguistic debate, the poll highlights a further divergence from established political narratives. In a stark indication of evolving perspectives, 53% of respondents believe November 9th, the anniversary of the fall of the Berlin Wall, would be a more fitting choice for a national holiday than October 3rd, the official date commemorating German reunification. This preference points to a desire to emphasize the symbolic breaking of division rather than the formal political process that followed, potentially reflecting an ongoing sense of incompleteness in the unification process.
The findings spark critical questions regarding the effectiveness of current reunification policies and the symbolic language used to represent eastern Germany. Do the continued use of outdated terminology and the prioritization of October 3rd subtly reinforce a perception of difference and a lingering sense of historical separation? The poll results demand a reassessment of how the German government engages with the narratives and sensibilities of eastern Germany and necessitates a more inclusive dialogue regarding the nation’s shared history and identity.
