A proposal for a “Pact for Affordable Living” is being drafted by members of the Green Party within the German Bundestag, aiming to alleviate rising costs for essential goods and services. The initiative intends to address concerns regarding the increasing burden on households regarding housing, energy, food and transportation.
Katharina Dröge, parliamentary group leader for the Green Party, emphasized the pervasive impact of price increases felt by consumers, citing examples like bread, coffee and butter. She highlighted concerns that families and apprentices are struggling to afford urban housing, leading to a concerning trend where nearly half the population holds less than €2,000 in savings.
The proposed package of measures includes several key components. A discounted Deutschlandticket, envisioned as a family ticket priced at €49, is being considered, alongside a program for social leasing of electric vehicles modeled after a French system. Free school and kindergarten meals are also advocated. Recognizing shared pressures on consumers and farmers, the proposal calls for the establishment of a price transparency body focused on basic foodstuffs.
In the energy sector, the Green Party is pushing for reduced electricity prices and the implementation of smart meters to facilitate dynamic tariffs. Regarding housing affordability, the “Affordable Living Program” aims to promote non-profit housing, implement caps on index-linked rent increases and introduce a brake on ancillary costs. The proposed measures are viewed as a response to the current strained conditions within the housing market.