The German Ministry of Economics indicated that over 200,000 households faced electricity cut-offs due to unpaid bills.

Notably, North Rhine-Westphalia, the most populous federal state, accounted for one-third of all electricity disconnections, with a rise of about 11,500 to 78,961, while Baden-Württemberg also saw an increase.

Conversely, cities like Berlin, Brandenburg, Bremen, and Hamburg experienced a significant decrease in electricity cut-offs compared to the previous year.

In 2023, Germany reported 204,441 electricity disconnections, a slight decrease from the previous year, while gas disconnections rose significantly from 22,987 in 2022 to 28,059.

So far, around 20,000 people have utilized the 'Mietwucher' calculator, resulting in approximately 1,000 reports to local housing authorities.

Additionally, the Left Party introduced a 'Mietwucher-Check' app to help identify excessive rents in seven cities, allowing users to report suspected overcharges.

They also launched the website 'heizkostencheck.app' for tenants to voluntarily submit their heating cost data for analysis.

Caren Lay, a member of the Left Party, criticized high energy prices as a major burden, stating that one in twelve households cannot adequately heat their homes.

Lay described the situation as scandalous for a wealthy nation and has called for a ban on electricity and gas disconnections, arguing that no one should have to live in darkness or cold.

The Left Party is focusing on housing costs as a key issue in their campaign, seeking to regain representation in the Bundestag amid low poll numbers.

As part of their efforts, the Left Party has launched a campaign to help tenants check their heating cost bills, claiming that 20% of such bills contain errors.

According to the Consumer Advice Center, energy providers can disconnect services if customers fall behind on at least two payments, amounting to a minimum of 100 euros, and must provide prior warning.