Pryimak V. Social Policy of Germany in the Eastern Federal Lands in 1990 - 2005

In the dissertation, based on the analysis of historiography, official documents and reports of the Bundestag, sources of personal origin, a comprehensive study of the social policies of the German governments was carried out during 1990 – 2005 in the territory of the eastern federal states. The focus is on social problems of the new annexed territories of Germany and traced their influence on the position of citizens of new lands .The main reforms of the German social system since 1990 have been analyzed and their influence on the situation of citizens of new lands has been traced. The level of material development of the eastern and western lands is unevenly compared in comparison. It is proved that during 1990 – 2005 years, Chancellor Helmut Kohl and Gerhard Schroeder managed to make the transition of the eastern lands on the new social norms and laws of the FRG. It is emphasized that the time of fifteen-year existence in the reunified state might be called rebound, for the whole social and economic system in the East has been dramatically changed, and the living standards of East and West have been equalized. West Germany with its experience of existing within the framework of the effective market economy and high quality of life long before 1990 not only did extend its model upon the newly integrated territories, but also did huge financial infusion to provide respective adaptation of the East. However, it failed to have resolved completely the most pressing problems of the East regardless of Helmut Kohl’s and Gerhard Schröder’s respective governments’ constant financial support for the former GDR. Upon the reunification, the most painful problem for the East Germans was the badly rising unemployment caused by the closure of a number of non-competitive enterprises, as well as by mass ejection of a huge number of public employees, teachers and professors who had been previously involved in spreading Communist propaganda or working for Stasi. Although the retiring pensions in the reunified Germany has been successfully equalized for East and West, the Western salary remained way higher for a long time. In general, one can admit the remarkable success of Germany in ameliorating welfare of the citizens. Germany is one of the most developed European countries, and the former East Germany as part of it succeeded in reaching the high level of living standards through the restless time of partially harsh and unpopular reforms’ implementation.