"I know that lots of people had to stand in line for quite a while before getting in," Merkel told the crowd from a large stage set up in the Chancellery Park.
Government for the people
This shows that people are curious to know what it looks like in the government quarter and how the government works.
Photo: REGIERUNGonline/Fassbender
Cheerful atmosphere at the Chancellery.Merkel promised not to use specialist jargon when talking to visitors and stressed that the government needs to take the concerns of the people seriously.She noted that the work of a grand coalition cannot be directed by decree: "We have a very good atmosphere in the cabinet room, where we work as a team to formulate policies that are in line with the country's needs."
What is it like to be Chancellor?
There was a great deal of interest among open house visitors in finding out what the Chancellor's everyday life is like. Merkel noted that she is, of course, in the limelight a lot as Chancellor, but that she continues to do ordinary things like grocery shopping, mostly at stores she has frequented in the past, where she doesn't have to look very long to find things.
She observed that she has to live much more according to plan now, citing as an example that she can look at her calendar today and see what she will be doing on November 23 at 6 p.m. Spontaneously deciding to take a day off next week would be likely to trigger a scheduling crisis. These things have to be planned well in advance, she said.
A typical day at the Chancellery
Visitors also wanted to get an idea of what a typical working day at the Chancellery is like. Merkel answered that her day begins at eight in the morning when she meets with her office manager, the chief-of-staff, and the government spokesman for a press briefing and a discussion of the day's schedule.
The Chancellor's official visitors are welcomed with a ceremony involving an honor guard and the playing of national anthems. She said her counterparts are often enthusiastic about the government quarter, one recently having mentioned to her that there is no other city in Western Europe with such a large government complex in its center.
When parliament is in recess the Chancellor travels more frequently, also within the country, attending conferences, visiting companies, and taking part in ceremonies.
Innovative technologies on display in Chancellery Park
Photo: REGIERUNGonline/Fassbender
Wowing the crowd with technology.On a walkabout through the Chancellery Park Merkel showed a strong interest in an exhibition called "Germany, Workshop of the Future" where numerous high-tech developments were on display.There was a strong focus on IT applications. Computer technology plays a key role in our lives these days, giving us improved medical diagnostics, greater mobility, and a wide range of practical solutions such as automatic toll collection for road use, cashless payments between banks, and platforms enabling doctors to monitor operations online.
There were also attractions for children, e.g. a playground, a 'story-telling tent', and the chance to go on board a helicopter like the one the Chancellor flies in.
See you again next year
Merkel said she is looking forward to the next open house: "Tell your friends. Next year there'll be another open house and maybe we'll see each other again."
