Consumer advocates are urging policymakers to prioritize the economic anxieties facing ordinary citizens, expressing concerns that pressing domestic issues are being overshadowed by international crises. Ramona Pop, Managing Director of the German Association of Consumer Organizations (VZBV), voiced this sentiment in an interview, highlighting a growing perception among the public that their concerns are not being adequately addressed.
Pop specifically criticized the government’s failure to deliver on promised relief measures regarding electricity taxes. She further called for stricter oversight of food price increases, emphasizing the disproportionate impact on household budgets. Proposals included mandatory labeling for “stealth packaging” – products that appear full but contain less than advertised – and the establishment of a price monitoring agency, mirroring a model already implemented in France, to investigate profit distribution within the food industry.
“Food prices have risen by more than a third since 2020” Pop stated. “Increasing numbers of people are being forced to rely on overdraft facilities to cover essential living expenses. This situation is unsustainable and demands immediate attention”. The consumer advocate underscored the need for a renewed focus on domestic economic well-being to ensure stability and maintain public trust.
