Consumer advocates are urging policymakers to prioritize the concerns of everyday citizens, warning that a focus on international crises risks overshadowing pressing domestic issues. Ramona Pop, Director of the Federation of German Consumer Organizations (VZBV), voiced her concerns in an interview, highlighting a growing perception among the public that their anxieties are not being adequately addressed by government.
Pop emphasized that the emphasis on major geopolitical events should not come at the expense of neglecting the economic realities faced by many households. She specifically criticized the government’s failure to deliver promised relief regarding electricity taxes, a point of ongoing frustration for consumers.
Furthermore, she called for more robust measures to combat rising food prices, which have increased by over a third since 2020. Proposals included mandatory labeling of “deceptive packaging” and the establishment of a price monitoring agency, similar to those already in operation in France, to investigate profit distribution within the food industry.
“An increasing number of people are resorting to overdraft facilities to cover their basic living expenses” Pop stated. “This situation demands urgent attention and decisive action”.