Berlin: The state of Sachsen-Anhalt in Germany has launched a new eDemocracy website to boost citizens' participation in politics by giving them an opportunity to discuss politics and thus help shape the state's policies.

The very first chat on the site was entitled "More education, less concrete? How should the shrinking budget resources be used in future?" and in the hot seat of discussion was the Finance Minister Jens Bullerjahn, reports ePractice.

The site, a part of a six-point democracy offensive launched by the state, is seen as an important element within the third point of that programme—increasing political participation.

The website offers an opportunity to chat with leading politicians, besides users can send in emails commenting on draft laws and other initiatives by the state government.

Interestingly, the website consists of ‘policy quiz' section, where citizens can participate to test their knowledge of current government policies.

It also has information pages on direct democracy and elections, as well as event diaries giving details of public sittings of the state parliament, local councils and the main political foundations.

The website will soon add an eVotes facility on a political ‘Issue of the Week' and a forum for political discussions between site visitors, the state informed.

Besides providing opportunity to the citizens in having broader role in the state's political scene, the website aims to get young people more interested in politics.
—iGovernment Bureau