Czech head of government goes shopping in Bavaria
Czech Prime Minister Petr Fiala has gone shopping in Bavaria. The liberal-conservative politician published a video on social media of a recent visit to a supermarket in Waldsassen in the Upper Palatinate. In it, Fiala criticized the fact that the same products were more expensive - or the package size was smaller - when he went to a Czech supermarket for a check-up.
It remained questionable how representative the selected shopping basket was. Fiala's shopping cart included milk, eggs, chocolate, tomatoes and a nut and nougat spread. However, it is undisputed that consumers in the Czech Republic are suffering from high inflation. According to the latest figures from the CSU statistics authority, prices rose by 6.9 percent in September compared to the same month last year. In January, inflation had even reached 17.5 percent.
It is good that the government does not set prices, Fiala said in the video. However, he will confront the food manufacturers, including international corporations, with the results of his purchase. "I will want to hear an explanation from them, and a public explanation," Fiala emphasized. According to opinion polls, his five-party coalition has been struggling with low approval ratings for months.
The prime minister's remarks about price discrepancies in supermarkets between countries may spark discussions about international trade practices. The high inflation rates in the Czech Republic have led to increased prices for various goods, including food items.
Source: www.dpa.com
