In the new government, only two ministerial posts are occupied by East Germans: Construction Minister Klara Geywitz (SPD) and Environment Minister Steffi Lemke. Will the East be neglected in the new government? Against this background, do East German interests have a chance in federal politics - and is that even important?

What does the East need? A provocative question: more managers, fewer "low-wage workers" and an extra lesson in "democracy"? Does the discourse about the East need to be intensified? Or is it not time for a truly pan-German identity? Is it still necessary to look at the East or has it become superfluous? We talk about this on Tuesdays Direct.

• Carsten Schneider, Commissioner for Eastern Germany (SPD)
• Dr. Julia Gabler, Professor of Social Change at Görlitz University of Applied Sciences
• Kathrin Uhlemann, new mayor of the large district town of Niesky in Upper Lusatia
• Tim Herden, ARD capital city correspondent Berlin