Tag der offenen Tuer im Bundeskanzleramt Aktuell, 21.08.2022, Berlin, Bundeskanzler Olaf Scholz beim Selfie mit Besuchern am Tag der offenen Tuer im Bundeskanzleramt in Berlin Berlin Berlin Deutschland *** Day of the open door in the Federal Chancellery Current, 21 08 2022, Berlin, Chancellor Olaf Scholz taking a selfie with visitors on the day of the open door in the Federal Chancellery in Berlin Berlin Germany

The federal government’s open day also drew thousands of people to the government district in Berlin on Sunday. Long queues formed in front of the Federal Chancellery and some ministries. Chancellor Olaf Scholz (SPD), Vice Chancellor Robert Habeck (Greens) and other ministers answered questions from citizens and presented their work.

During a conversation with citizens early Sunday afternoon, the Federal Chancellor revealed himself to be a fan of the nine-euro ticket. It was “one of the best ideas we had,” said Scholz. The inexpensive nationwide ticket for local transport has shown what is possible – and also where there have been difficulties with train travel.

Scholz said ticket purchases were too complicated for many citizens because of the different tariff structures. Larger tariff associations and simpler structures make sense. Transport Minister Volker Wissing is now advising the federal states on what conclusions to draw from these experiences. When asked by citizens, Scholz did not comment on a possible successor to the nine-euro ticket, which expires at the end of August.

The government’s usual open days in August had been paused for two years due to the corona pandemic. For the first time, the traffic light coalition of SPD, Greens and FDP presented itself in this context – under the motto “Democracy invites”. It was not only in the garden of the Chancellery that citizens crowded together in the clear summer weather.

Ministries and authorities had already opened their doors to visitors on Saturday, but on the first day it was raining at times. The government drew a positive interim balance on Saturday evening, but did not name any visitor numbers.

On social media channels, conspiracy ideologues and opponents of the state anti-corona measures had occasionally called for the event to be used for expressions of dissatisfaction.