"Fair" or Controversial? The Debate over Annual Adjustments to German Parliamentarians' Salaries
Parliament Approves Automatic Adjustment of Food Provisions
As of 2023, Members of the German Bundestag earn a monthly basic salary of €11,227.20. From July 1, 2025, this amount will automatically increase to €11,833, following an adjustment mechanism that mirrors wage developments in Germany, as measured by the Nominallohnindex[1][3].
Apart from the base salary, parliamentarians receive additional allowances:- Office Expenses: MPs receive an extra €5,350 monthly to cover costs related to running an office in their constituency or maintaining a flat in Berlin. This allowance is not taxed and sees annual increases on January 1[3].- Assistant Funds: Members also receive money to pay for assistants, up to €25,874 per month, managed by the Bundestag administration[3].
Contentious Matter
The topic of allowances for parliamentarians always stirs controversy: If salaries are too low, fears abound that MPs might be susceptible to manipulation. If they are too high, criticism ensues.
The CDU MP Hendrik Hoppenstedt maintains that the link between wage developments and the resemblance to the salaries of the highest federal judges makes the regulation logical, fair, and appropriate. By contrast, Stephan Brandner, the parliamentary business manager of the AfD faction, has called the majority's approach "squalid."[2]
In late-night voting sessions, the Bundestag decided to uphold this regulation, which has been in effect since 2014, for the current legislative period, with votes against from the AfD and the Left party[2]. The court ruling obligates parliamentarians to decide on this matter themselves in public[3].
Adjustments and Criticism
Starting on July 1 each year, parliamentary salaries are adjusted to reflect changes in average wages, even if wages have decreased. However, each newly elected Bundestag must vote on whether to continue this practice until the next election. Currently, MPs receive a taxable base salary of €11,227.20, in addition to a non-taxable monthly expense allowance of €5,349.58[3].
This practice has not been without controversy, with Lefty political parties expressing concerns over planned increases in parliamentary allowances[4].
[1] bundestag.de[2] ntv.de[3] mpa/dpa[4] Politikstube.de
- The debate over the annual adjustments to German Parliamentarians' salaries, in line with the country's wage developments, intertwines with discussions on community policy, employment policy, and general-news, as it involves arguments on fairness and concerns about potential manipulation and high salaries affecting the wider business and political landscapes.
- The adjustment mechanism in place for German parliamentarians' salaries, which mirrors wage developments in Germany and has been in effect since 2014, has been a contentious matter when it comes to employment policy, drawing criticism from leftist political parties over proposed increases in parliamentary allowances as well as discussions on finance and business in light of the potential impact on Germany's economic landscape.
