Consumer advocates are voicing concerns that policymakers are losing sight of the pressing everyday challenges faced by citizens. Ramona Pop, Director of the Federation of German Consumer Organisations (VZBV), expressed this sentiment in an interview, highlighting a perception that political attention is disproportionately focused on international crises while the concerns of ordinary people are being overlooked.
Pop criticized the government’s failure to deliver on promises regarding relief from electricity taxes, stating that consumers have not experienced the anticipated financial support. She further called for stricter measures to address rising food prices, specifically targeting what she termed “misleading packaging” – products that appear larger than they actually are. The proposal includes mandatory labeling requirements for these products.
Echoing the concerns of many, Pop emphasized the significant increase in food costs since 2020, noting a rise of over a third. She highlighted the growing number of individuals resorting to overdraft facilities to cover essential living expenses, deeming the situation unsustainable. Drawing a parallel to a system already in place in France, she suggested the establishment of a price monitoring body to investigate the distribution of profits within the food industry and ensure transparency.