Victims of East German regime to receive pension hike, compensation

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Victims of the communist party that ruled the former East Germany are set to receive improved financial support following a decision by Germany's Bundestag, the lower house of parliament.

The measure, passed unanimously late Thursday, will increase the monthly pension for the regime's political prisoners from €330 to €400 ($340 to $415).

The pension will also be automatically raised each year and is no longer linked to the recipient's need.

Evelyn Zupke, the representative for the victims of the Socialist Unity Party of Germany (SED), praised the reform as a "sign for all those who spoke out against the dictatorship."

The measure still requires approval from Germany's Bundesrat, the upper house of parliament.

People who were forcibly relocated from the border areas to the interior of East Germany after the country sealed its borders will receive a one-off compensation payment of €7,500. This amount is much higher than the €1,500 first proposed in the government's draft bill.

The rise in pensions is set to take effect on July 1.

"Many victims of political persecution in today live on the brink of poverty," said Zupke.