Consumer advocates are urging policymakers to prioritize the concerns of everyday citizens, expressing a perception that pressing domestic issues are being overshadowed by international crises. Ramona Pop, Director of the Federation of German Consumer Organizations (VZBV), voiced this sentiment in an interview, highlighting a disconnect between political attention and the realities faced by many households.
Pop specifically criticized the government’s failure to deliver on promises of relief regarding electricity taxes. She emphasized the need for stronger measures to address rising food prices, pointing to a situation where staple groceries have become significantly more expensive since 2020.
Her proposals include mandatory labeling for “shrinkflation” – products that contain less quantity despite similar packaging – and the establishment of a price monitoring agency, modeled after a system already in place in France, to investigate the distribution of profits within the food industry.
“An increasing number of people are resorting to overdraft facilities to cover their living expenses. This is unacceptable” Pop stated, underlining the urgency of addressing household financial strain.