Would East and West Germany Like to Separate Again?

Despite the generally positive sentiment in Germany, the idea of separating East and West Germany again is as absurd as asking if the United States would like to divide into North and South with separate armies and governments. While the 1990s brought the opportunity for reunification, the German people chose differently, driven by the desire for economic prosperity and better living standards.

Choosing Unification over Division

During the peaceful overthrow of the socialist regime in 1990, the Christian Democratic Union (CDU) emerged as the most dominant political force, advocating for German reunification. Following the first free elections, Lothar de Maizière, a CDU leader, became the first and, as of now, the last freely elected prime minister of the German Democratic Republic (GDR). The overwhelming majority of GDR citizens, with just a few exceptions from the former GDR Socialist Party and a few civil rights activists, wished to join the Federal Republic of Germany.

The Technical Aspect of Reunification

The reunification process was primarily about eastern federal states joining the Federal Republic rather than that of two distinct German nations. This process is somewhat similar to how the United States operates, where individual states join the union under certain conditions.

No Talk of Separation

Today, there is not a single voice or organization advocating for the separation of East and West Germany. Neither the right-wing, left-wing, nor any other parties or organizations have ever proposed this idea. The overwhelming sentiment remains firmly rooted in the belief that Germany remains a unified nation, with the memories of the past informing but not dictating the future.