German politicians grill chancellor Olaf Scholz over surging doner kebab prices

The issue has become so prominent that his government has taken to social media to address concerns, attributing the price hikes to rising wage and energy costs. The debate over doner kebab prices has now reached the political arena, with the far-left Die Linke party advocating for a Dönerpreisbremse, or doner kebab price cap, similar to rent controls in certain regions. Die Linke’s proposal suggests capping prices at €4.90, with a reduced rate of €2.90 for young people, particularly those from low-income backgrounds.

Sales of kebabs, a staple introduced to Germany by Turkish immigrants, amount to an estimated €7 billion annually. With approximately 1.3 billion kebabs consumed each year nationwide, implementing a subsidy program to maintain affordability could cost around €4 billion annually, according to Die Linke’s calculations.

While some politicians, like Hanna Steinmüller of the Greens, recognize the significance of the issue, Chancellor Scholz has ruled out price controls, citing concerns about feasibility in a free market economy. Instead, he has commended the efforts of the European Central Bank in addressing inflation.

Social media reactions reflect the frustration among young people over rising prices, with some expressing nostalgia for former Chancellor Angela Merkel, whom they perceive as having “had the doner under control.” However, doner sellers like Deniz, operating in locations like Berlin’s Friedrichstrasse station, attribute the price hikes to factors beyond their control, such as escalating rent, energy, and food prices.

As debates continue over the affordability of doner kebabs, the issue underscores broader concerns about inflation and the cost of living in Germany, prompting calls for innovative solutions to ensure access to affordable essentials for all segments of society.