Hesitant voters in the German city of Duisburg are being lured to the polling station with an unusual initiative - an offer of free beer, DPA reported, BTA reports.
Voters who submit their postal ballot in the city center by 2:00 p.m. on Saturday receive a voucher for a drink at a nearby beer bar.
According to a DPA reporter present at the scene, about 80 people took advantage of the offer in the first hour. Duisburg officials said the initiative was supported by a local brewery, and soft drinks were also available for those who preferred an alternative.
Duisburg's election official, Martin Murak, defended the proposal, saying it was aimed at voters who were not impressed by traditional campaigning.
He stressed that the northern part of the city traditionally shows low voter turnout. In the 2021 federal election, only 63.3% of voters in the Duisburg II constituency voted, compared with an average voter turnout of 76.6%.
Germany will hold its parliamentary elections on February 23.