Money for Members of Parliament: AfD Raises Eyebrows at Automatic Increase in Allowances - Despite a Cap
Criticisms by AfD on Auto-Progressions in Diatonic Intervals - Cap Notwithstanding - Criticism from AfD on Automatic Allowance Increases - Overlooked Caps
The AfD stands alone in their opposition to the planned auto-adjustment of allowances for Brandenburg's state parliament members. "They're sneaking in advantages for themselves," AfD party leader Hans-Christoph Berndt belittled them. The AfD's parliamentary manager, Dennis Hohloch, argued that members are already adequately cared for and would have to publicly justify any increase.
Since 2017, members' allowances have been set annually, based on general income and consumer price growth in Brandenburg. The annual adjustment will continue, capped at 3.5 percent, as per the wishes of the SPD, BSW, and CDU opposition, next year.
The BSW faction deemed this year's increase of about 500 euros to approximately 9,800 euros per month as "exorbitant." BSW's party leader, Niels-Olaf Lüders,imagined a lower cap could have been considered, and a zero increase was possible, as it was in 2021 and 2022 during the pandemic.
Lüders stressed that the allowance index can fluctuate independently of the state parliament's ability to approve zero increases when needed. This is crucial in an economic situation not yet reflected in the index.
Despite their stance against automatic allowance increases, the AfD sought additional funding for constituency staff, specifically requesting 2 positions instead of 1.5. The coalition, however, criticized this move, mentioning it would amount to an extra seven-figure sum for the state budget yearly.
- AfD
- Allowances
- Increase in allowances
- Cap
- State parliament
- Brandenburg
- Potsdam
- Hans-Christoph Berndt
- Niels-Olaf Lüders
- Dennis Hohloch
While we don't have specific information on the AfD's motivations for opposing allowance increases, their conservative fiscal stance, populist appeals, and political strategy could potentially explain their actions. As for extra funding for constituency staff, the precise AfD position isn't clear. However, their skepticism of increases for politicians may extend to additional staff funding as well.
- The AfD's stance against automatic allowance increases for Brandenburg's state parliament members could be rooted in their conservative fiscal policies and skepticism towards increases for politicians.
- Despite opposing an automatic increase in allowances, the AfD has requested additional funding for constituency staff, potentially indicating a selective approach to financial requests.
