A giant Döner kebab poster demanding a price cap of 3.50 euros has been erected on a grass verge in the Berlin district of Wedding, attracting attention and speculation about its creator. The red poster with a juicy Döner kebab on it could be seen as a form of election campaign advertising. The demand is clear: “Three euros fifty,” is written on the poster. Approximately 20 years ago, this was the price for a Döner, but currently, the iconic snack costs double that amount. The cost of a Döner is sometimes used in social media as a comparison to explain high expenses, such as in complex household budgets. The call for cheaper Döners is not new, as over a year ago, a viral video from Germany showed a protestor urging Olaf Scholz to make Döners affordable again.
The head of the company Wesselmann, which leases and covers spaces for election posters in Germany, expressed surprise at the Döner poster, suggesting that it may be an act of sabotage where someone had covered up other election advertising. The huge 3.60 by 2.60-meter poster was also not neatly pasted on, with some parts already peeling off. According to a Berlin SPD spokesperson, it typically costs around 500 euros to set up election posters of this size on grass verges. The SPD is campaigning for the European elections behind the Döner poster, even though they deny any involvement with it. The Left Party, which mentioned the Döner in a party resolution at the beginning of May, also stated that they were not behind the poster.
The Döner poster may be a political art installation, as it was shared on the Instagram profile “angst.yok” with the caption “Urgent public demand for drastic price capping of the federal national dish!” along with the hashtag #kunstimöffentlichenraum. The profile shares many photos of posters in a similar, sober style. The demand for a Döner price cap is gaining attention in the social media sphere, with some users pointing out the political relevance of the Döner kebab and its pricing in relation to larger economic and political issues. Despite the uncertainty surrounding the origin of the Döner poster, it has sparked discussion and interest among residents and politicians alike.
The call for a price cap on Döner kebabs has resonated with many people, who see it as a symbol of affordability and fairness in a changing economic landscape. As the cost of living continues to rise, the affordability of everyday items such as Döners becomes a topic of political and social significance. The Döner poster in Berlin serves as a visual representation of a larger debate around affordability, inflation, and economic policies. Whether it is a political statement, an art installation, or an act of sabotage remains unclear, but one thing is certain: the Döner kebab has become a focal point for discussions on pricing, affordability, and fairness in modern society.
