Survey on consumer protection: what annoys Germans the most

Status: 10/14/2021 10:04 a.m.

What annoys Germans the most? According to the experience of consumer advocates, there are often problems with jerky data lines. And she has a few other wishes for the next federal government.

It is a kind of wish list for the future federal government. It is no coincidence that the consumer report appears at the end of the exploratory talks. Because the consumer advocates want to influence the coalition negotiations. “It would be good if politics were more focused on the interests of consumers than before,” says Klaus Müller, board member of the Federal Association of Consumer Organizations.

One result of a representative survey for the report is that a clear majority of Germans would like more climate protection. “The mantra that is often recited, according to which the majority of rules and higher prices for climate-damaging products are rejected, cannot be empirically proven, but social balance is very important to people,” said Müller.

Particularly high electricity costs

How exactly this compensation could work is still to be negotiated. The top consumer advocate, however, has a suggestion: “If you fly a lot or drive an SUV, you pay more. Those who use little energy benefit.”

The former green environment minister of Schleswig-Holstein calls for electricity to become significantly cheaper so that electric cars and electric heat pumps are also widely accepted. In a European comparison, Germans pay the highest consumer electricity prices. “If the climate change is to succeed, people must also be able to afford it.”

“Energy prices of horror” in winter?

Consumers should be actively involved and produce their own electricity, said Müller – without complicated rules. Germany must become self-sufficient in the energy sector and independent of the world market. For the winter he predicts “horror energy prices”.

According to his own statements, his association represents 80 million consumers, making it the largest lobby organization in the country. But industry lobby groups are often more powerful. Binding labeling of food on nutritional values, animal welfare or sustainability has been blocked by the food lobby for years, criticized Müller.

Lots of complaints about digital products

Rip offs when shopping online or the Internet is lame: a third of all complaints to consumer advice centers are about products or services in the digital sector. Stuttering data connections or dead spots in the country are a problem for many people. The Federal Statistical Office estimates that more than three million households have no mobile or fixed Internet connection.

“We urge the new federal government to move with speed for a fast Internet, the protection of user and consumer rights on the platform market and for protection when using artificial intelligence,” says Klaus Müller. Their use must be controlled by a new supervisory authority.

Many people worry about the future of retirement

In the debate about the future of pensions, consumer advocates are sympathetic to a Swedish-style pension plan that invests in stocks. The model is better than the Riester pension, which failed, according to Müller: “It was a gift to the insurance and finance industry.” He is close to the FDP. The Liberals have long been calling for a mandatory share pension.

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