Careers in Politics, A Breakdown of Parliamentarian Perks 🇩🇪
Bundesparlament to Discuss and Potentially Implement Automated Dieting Regulations
Berlin (dpa) - Serving in the Bundestag is no small feat, with members ranking high on the income scale thanks to the so-called "members' allowance" - colloquially known as "diet money." Proposed increases to this allowance often encounter resistance.
Historically, an annual adjustment mechanism for the diet, similar to a pension, was implemented. However, this mechanism requires renewal after each federal election for the new legislative period, and it faces its fair share of critique. As of now, a vote on this issue is underway.
But How Much Does it Cost to Be a Member of the Bundestag? 💸
At present, parliamentarians draw a basic monthly salary of 11,227.20 euros. This income is subject to taxes. Additionally, there is a tax-free monthly expense allowance of 5,349.58 euros to cover costs associated with exercising the mandate, such as rent, materials, travel, lodging, and accommodations in Berlin.
Further benefits extend to reimbursements for office expenses in Berlin, up to a maximum of 12,000 euros per year, as well as free train travel and reimbursement for domestic flight expenses related to parliamentary duties.
From Average Earnings to Parliamentary Perks 📈
The Basic Law asserts, "Members have a claim to an appropriate allowance that ensures their independence." The finer details are established in the Members' Act. The allowances are based on the salaries of judges at the highest federal courts. The so-called Diet Decision of the Federal Constitutional Court from 1975 stipulates that the allowance "must be commensurate with the importance of the office, taking into account the responsibility and burdens associated with it and the rank of this office in the constitutional order."
Sensitivity surrounds the topic: If allowances are too low, members may be susceptible to bribery, while high allowances can invite criticism.
The Self-Decision on Parliamentary Allowances 🗳️
The parliamentarians themselves decide on their allowances, traced back to the Diet Decision of the Constitutional Court. This ruling explicitly required members to determine this issue and "publicly." Consequently, the court reasoned, "In a parliamentary democracy, it cannot be avoided that the parliament decides in its own affairs when it comes to setting the amount and the further design of the financial regulations associated with the status of a member."
The Introduction of an Annual Adjustment Mechanism 🕰️
This mechanism was established in 2014 by the then-grand coalition based on the recommendation of an expert commission. The head of the commission, former Federal Minister of Justice Edzard Schmidt-Jortzig (FDP), found that continuous public debates surrounding diet increases often defamed politicians as "greedy" and self-serving. To address this concern, there has been a political desire for some time to automate these adjustments.
How Does the Mechanism Function? 🤖
Similar to a pension, if average wages in the country increase by a certain percentage during a given year, the diets will increase accordingly the following year. However, each newly elected Bundestag must vote every four years to maintain this procedure for the legislative period. A decision on this matter is pending, and it appears there will be a majority supporting continuation of this mechanism. Based on current predictions, this decision will result in an increase of around 600 euros in the diet as of July 1, 2025.
The Pros and Cons of the Automatic Adjustment Mechanism 🗺️
The SPD and Union are backing the automatism. SPD member Thomas Oppermann argues this approach helps navigate a sensitive, often emotional issue, stating, "In difficult times, when citizens had less in wages and salaries, this has also led to corresponding reductions in the past." Meanwhile, criticisms arise from the AfD and the Left, both advocating for the suspension of the automatic adjustment mechanism. Left Party leader Heidi Reichinnek expressed her dismay at the proposed increase in diets, as well as her intention to donate more of her own money to charity.
- Despite the ongoing critique, a vote on the renewal of the annual adjustment mechanism for parliamentarians' allowances, similar to a pension, is underway, following the decision made by a previous expert commission in 2014.
- The proposed automatic adjustment mechanism, which aligns with an increase in average wages nationwide, has drawn support from the SPD and Union, with Thomas Oppermann of the SPD asserting that this mechanism can help manage sensitive issues by mirroring wage reductions during difficult economic times.
