Facing complaints over doner kebap prices, German government blames outside factors

BERLIN

After many social media users took the German government to task over rising doner kebap prices, the government responded online to point the finger at outside factors.

"Higher energy and food costs, as well as an inflationary adjustment in wages and supplies" are the cause, the German government wrote on Instagram. That, the government said, was a result of "Russia's war of aggression on Ukraine about a year ago."

"The federal government is also helping small entrepreneurs with an energy price break. Like the doner kebap dealer. Will doner kebaps become cheaper as a result? That can’t be said for sure yet," the government continued.

Complaining about the rising prices, one user wrote: "Please, Mr. Scholz, lower the doner-kebap prices. I pay €9 for a doner kebap – and it's not even organic."

"As a student, it's almost impossible to get a doner kebap every day. That's why I ask you to introduce a kebab price break," wrote another user.

Another casually asked, "Salam aleikum (peace be upon you) brother heart, make doner kebab two or three euros."

Doner kebab, the most popular snack in Germany, until 2022 cost around €3.50 ($3.71), but now restaurants are charging as much as €6 ($6.37).