Chaos in Berlin: Citizens' offices close before new elections!

Chaos in Berlin: Citizens' offices close before new elections!

The Berlin arena is again in turmoil! On January 3, 2025, the date for the early Bundestag election is finally set: On February 23, 2025, voters will be called to the urns. Federal President Frank-Walter Steinmeier officially announced the dissolution of the Bundestag, which creates the necessary legal bases. The Berlin state election manager Stephan Bröchler is relieved and positive about the progress in election preparation that has been in close cooperation with the districts since November. Nevertheless, a shadow is floating over this political event-the chaos elections of 2021 have not yet been forgotten.

Waiting for election documents

But while the organs of order prepare for the new elections, the Berliners have to expect further inconvenience. From January, five out of 43 citizens' offices in the city, including important locations such as the Frankfurter Allee Citizens' Office and the Wasserstadt Citizens' Office in Spandau. These closures, such as berlin-live.de report, are the result of a significant personnel deficiency in the newly created district electoral offices that are responsible for the implementation of the election.

Citizens have to prepare for longer waiting times: the average waiting time for an appointment is currently 32 days. This is another setback for the government's efforts to improve the waiting times in citizens' offices, and raises doubts as to whether the promised digital services will soon apply. However, interior senator Iris Spranger is optimistic and emphasized that past experiences have been learned and that a smooth choice is sought. As noted Zeit.de, employees from the citizens' offices should also be deducted at many locations to support the election.

The coming weeks will not only be decisive for the election organization, but also for the Berlin citizens who are confronted with the situation at the citizens' offices and the upcoming elections. It remains to be seen how the situation will develop!