If there had been any doubt about a cooling of the social climate in Germany, notwithstanding the recent outpouring of support for refugees, banks advertising heating oil loans in Fall would be an indication of change for the worse for the poor in this country.
Some would say this interpretation of the big "heating oil loans" sign at the local bank is wrong.
Taking out a loan to stock up on heating oil can help you profit from low prices, they would say.
The timing of the ad campaign says otherwise, my friends. Seasonal heating oil prices show a distinctive pattern of low summer prices followed by substantial increases as we approach the cold season.
If banks wanted to help customers save money on heating oil, they'd roll out the campaign in May or, at the latest, in June, giving people time to get the paperwork done so they can enjoy the lowest annual prices.
Kicking off a campaign in October means only one thing: you are broke.
While the state does pay heating cost support to those on means tested benefits, the amount is capped at a rate too low to heat older buildings adequately. And citizens who earn just enough to not get government support are even worse off, having to pay the whole heating bill by themselves.
Winter is coming.
Social winter is here already.
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