2024-05-13 15:29:18
The German government is facing a surprising crisis. Young people in the country are unhappy that the price of döner kebabs, one of the country’s most popular dishes, has doubled in the last two years. Chancellor Olaf Scholz admitted that students are constantly asking him about the price hike of the popular dish, and some political parties are even suggesting that the price of kebabs be capped. It would cost Berlin several billion euros.
“Döner kebabs, in my opinion, are a basic necessity of student life. Like water,” says Iustin Curcean, a student from Munich, for Aktuálně.cz. “I really think it’s part of student life, and their price hikes have taken a toll on us,” he adds, a little more seriously.
Inflation has increased döner kebab prices in Germany to more than seven euros (roughly 174 crowns) on average. In Berlin, according to the Lieferando delivery service, the price in January reached 7.30 euros (about 182 crowns).
“I used to buy kebab very often, but not so much now. When I see how expensive it is, I lost my appetite for it,” admits another student, Petr Nguyen.
Chancellor Olaf Scholz has to face questions about the rising price of kebabs in public appearances, and his government explains on social media that rising wages and energy costs are partly responsible for the increases. “It’s quite surprising that wherever I go, mainly young people ask me if there should be a price brake for the döner,” Scholz said.
Doner kebab price brake
In German, the idea is referred to as “Dönerpreisbremse” and, in addition to Internet jokes, the topic is also starting to appear in political debates. The left-wing party Die Linke even added the capping of kebab prices to its agenda.
The document literally calls for a “kebab price brake”, as reported by the German magazine Stern. The party proposes that the price of kebabs should be limited to 4.90 euros (about 122 crowns). Other costs should be covered by the state, writes the Berliner Zeitung newspaper.
The popular version of the kebab began to be produced in Germany by Turkish migrants and is now one of the most popular forms of fast food. “Döner should be there for everyone who needs a filling meal during the day or when they’ve enjoyed themselves too much and need something for a hangover, but also for those who don’t have enough money,” says student Iustin Curcean.
Four billion euros
In Germany, it is estimated that more than 1.3 billion kebabs are eaten each year. In Berlin alone, it is about 400,000 pieces per day. With a subsidy of three euros per piece, the state’s costs would thus reach almost four billion euros (converted to almost 100 billion crowns), Die Linke calculates. The proposal was submitted by Kathi Gebelová, spokeswoman for youth policy in the presidency. The youth organization of the Green party also demands price caps.
Hanna Steinmüller, MP for the Green Party, who is otherwise trying to convince people to give up meat in their diet, addressed the issue of kebab prices in parliament at the beginning of the year.
“It’s as important a question for young people now as where they’re going to move to when they leave home. I know it’s not an everyday thing for many people here. And that it’s also something that can be mocked, but I think as representatives of voters, we are obliged to draw attention to these different views,” she told the other deputies.
The debate about the regulation of kebab prices is rather laughable for many Germans, but Italy, for example, has been regulating the price of espresso since 1999, when it switched from the Italian lira to the euro, which is inextricably linked to this southern European country. Similar regulation has been in force in Italy since at least 1915.
Video: Prime Minister Petr Fiala went shopping in Germany to compare food prices (November 6, 2023)
Prime Minister Petr Fiala went shopping in Germany to compare food prices. | Video: Facebook/Petr Fiala