Is there a regional variation like in many other countries?
I guess there could be. Haven't been to Germany in over 10 years but Bavaria(Bayern) could be akin to the American South, culturally conservative, economically free and propserous.
The acculuration of the the former DDR into the German whole it looks has been a disaster.
There were hopes that the communists were so hated they would never rise again, but the welfare state is a big pull in the former DDR, as it seems it was in New Orleans, IMO.