Amid rising energy costs caused by tensions in the Middle East, a clear majority of Germans support state‑led relief measures. In a Forsa poll commissioned for “Stern” and RTL, 77 % of respondents say the federal government should intervene if oil and gas prices remain high or climb further in the coming weeks. Twenty‑two percent believe such intervention is unnecessary, while one percent responded “I don’t know”.
Those in favor chiefly call for a maximum price for fuels or tax cuts on gasoline and diesel. Approval is especially strong in eastern Germany (86 %), among people with lower incomes (87 %), and among supporters of the Left (90 %) and the AfD (95 %). Green voters are noticeably more cautious, backing the measures only 56 % of the time.
The poll’s backdrop is the escalating conflict in the Middle East and growing unease over Iran, which is increasingly unsettling international energy markets. Market participants fear disruptions to key supply and transport routes, notably the Strait of Hormuz, through which a large share of global oil trade passes. Those risks have already pushed oil and gas prices upward.
If high energy prices persist, they could strain both households and businesses in Germany. Higher costs for fuel and heating directly hit consumers, while energy‑intensive industries anticipate rising production expenses. Consequently, political pressure mounts on the federal government to prepare for further energy price shocks.