Amid the worsening fuel crisis, German cities are switching off spotlights on public buildings, turning off fountains, and imposing cold showers on municipal swimming pools and sports halls to reduce energy consumption.
The drastic step comes as Germans have been told to expect to be hit with sky high electricity bills and sweeping gas rationing measures that will affect their day-to-day lives.
ALEX BRUMMER: Confronted with bills that will further devastate living standards, and with petrol prices at near record levels, the public is understandably outraged at the injustice