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Federal Chancellor Olaf Scholz at a citizens' dialogue in Magdeburg: "The nine-euro ticket is a great thing"
Photo: RONNY HARTMANN / AFP
He had to bring himself to find the planned legalization of cannabis right - "firstly, because I've never smoked weed," said Chancellor Olaf Scholz (SPD).
In addition, he does not believe that drug consumption has any consequences for health, said the Chancellor in the public dialogue.
In Magdeburg on Thursday he answered questions from those present.
Scholz is now in favor of legalization.
There are people who “have smoked their brains and suffered severe psychological damage because they have overdone it”.
The vast majority, however, would have a "reasonably civilized handling" of cannabis.
That's why it should now be legalized - "and it should go pretty quickly."
Successor regulation for 9-euro ticket »coming soon«
Another topic that concerns the citizens are the burdens that occur in Germany as a result of the war in Ukraine.
Pensioners should then also benefit from the next relief package, emphasized the SPD politician: "That's clear to me, anyway." The federal government will quickly make a joint proposal for a third package that is intended to absorb the currently high prices.
“Because no one can shoulder it like that, except for those who really have a lot of money.
But that's not most of us in the country,” he said.
In the first relief package, the coalition had agreed on the introduction of the 9-euro ticket.
In discussions with the citizens, Scholz committed himself to a successor plan – at least in principle.
For cost reasons, it cannot be continued in the same way, but there should be a new offer that primarily takes up the principle of the simplicity of the ticket.
"We have decided that we will develop something that will come soon," said Scholz.
"The nine-euro ticket is a great thing," Scholz replied to a citizen's question about continuing the offer.
This is due to the fact that the ticket is "very cheap", but also "because it is much simpler" than the complicated fare system of different transport associations, some of which are "far too small".
9-euro ticket: the transport minister »is there«
However, the price is so cheap that "everyone suspects that we cannot keep it up in the long run," Scholz continued, but the simplicity is also "a very important part of the attractiveness".
Therefore, this should be taken up and Transport Minister Volker Wissing (FDP) "is there," said the Chancellor.
In general, public transport would have to be expanded more, Scholz assured.
"We have to make buses and trains more attractive," said the Chancellor.
However, this is only possible in the long term.
However, the expansion should take place “by investing more money in rail transport in Germany”.
New money could bring about a wealth tax.
Scholz personally continues to think that is correct, he said.
As a social democrat, he had already campaigned for this in the federal election campaign.
"I would favor having a very well made one," he said.
Switzerland could be a role model.
"But there is no majority for this in the German Bundestag," stressed the Chancellor.
That's why you have to be honest and say that it's not feasible right now.
tfb/dpa/AFP
