'De Muur' still exists: 35 years after the fall of 'die Mauer', it lives on in the minds of East Germans

berlin - The legacy of the Berlin Wall still affects the thoughts and lives of East Germans 35 years after its fall. Discussions continue about the impact of the wall and the disparities between East and West Germany.

Hundreds of thousands of visitors walk past the largely disappeared concrete barrier in Berlin today. Burkhard Kieker, tourism director of the united capital, explains the open-air presentation of historical plaques and new painted posters stretched along the former Wall.

Topics like freedom of travel, democratic elections, freedom of speech, and the rule of law will be highlighted between Checkpoint Charlie and Bornholmer Straße.

Dirk Oschmann, a native of East Germany, points out the dominance of Western elites post-reunification. He discusses how East Germans feel marginalized and colonized, lacking access to power and wealth.

Recent elections in Eastern Germany saw a rise in support for radical populist parties, including AfD and left-wing movements. Oschmann criticizes the neglect of ordinary people by mainstream political parties, leading to the strengthening of right-wing populism.

The support for pro-Russian parties and the calls for peace in Eastern Germany draw attention to the lingering effects of historical events and societal division. Oschmann's analysis sheds light on the frustrations and challenges faced by the people in the former East Germany.