Unraveling the Diet: The German Bundestag's Finances
German Legislative Body Convenes for Sessions
Let's dive into the world of German politics and shed some light on the income of its legislative powerhouse - the Bundestag. With the occasional pay bump, these high-ranking officials have quite a hefty income that often rubs the average Joe the wrong way.
Recently, an automatic adjustment mechanism similar to that of pensions was introduced to decide on the so-called "diet" - colloquially known as the MP's allowance. This mechanism, though controversial, requires extension after each federal election for the new legislative period. The coalition of CDU/CSU, SPD, and the opposition Greens voted in favor of this extension last Thursday evening.
How Much Moolah Does it Take to Be a Member of the Bundestag?
As of today, members receive 11,227.20 euros per month. Keep in mind that this money is taxed. Alongside this, there's a tax-free monthly cost allowance of 5,349.58 euros for expenses incurred while representing the constituency, such as office rent, materials, transportation, accommodation, or Berlin residency costs.
The Bundestag reimburses Berlin office expenses, ranging from materials to phones for employees, capped at up to 12,000 euros annually. Bundestag members can travel by train for free and have their domestic flight expenses reimbursed if related to their mandate.
A Pretty Penny Compared to the Average Earner - What's the Catch?
The Basic Law states that members have a claim to a reasonable allowance that maintains their independence. Regulations on the diet are outlined in the MPs Act. Diets are modeled after the incomes of judges at the highest federal courts. The 1975 diet judgment by the Federal Constitutional Court stipulates that the allowance should be "appropriate to the importance of the office, taking into account the responsibility and burden associated with it and the rank of this office in the constitutional order."
Striking the right balance is crucial: If the diets are too low, members may become susceptible to bribery attempts; if they are too high, fierce criticism ensues.
Who's Deciding on Those Diets, Anyway?
This trace back to the 1975 diet judgment by the Constitutional Court, which emphasized that members make these decisions themselves in public. The court stated that, in a parliamentary democracy, it's unavoidable for parliament to decide on its own affairs when setting the financial regulations associated with a member's status.
The Rise of the Automated Diet Adjustment
The automatism was introduced back in 2014 by the grand coalition, based on the recommendation of an expert commission led by former Federal Minister of Justice Edzard Schmidt-Jortzig (FDP). At the time, heated public debates took place whenever diet increases were imminent, leading politicians to be labeled as 'greedy' and self-serving by their peers. Thus, automating adjustments has been a long-held political desire to alleviate these emotional discussions.
In tough times, such as the present tense, when citizens are experiencing shrinking wages and salaries, this has also resulted in corresponding reductions in the past. For instance, diets slightly decreased in 2021 due to the Coronavirus pandemic.
Supporters and Critics at Loggerheads
The SPD and Union are defending the automatism, arguing that it provides a factual, level-headed approach to handling a sensitive, occasionally emotional issue. On the other hand, the AfD and the Left are calling for the automatism to be suspended, advocating instead for transparent, yearly debates and decisions in the plenary.
The Left party leader, Jan van Aken, criticized the idea of raising diets before parliament has even started its work. The AfD's parliamentary business manager, Stephan Brandner, oppositioned the automation and suggested that any increase be transparently debated and decided upon annually in the plenary.
What is the connection between policy-and-legislation and the debates surrounding the automated adjustment of Bundestag members' allowances, commonly known as "diets"?
The decision on the extension of the automated adjustment mechanism for the "diet" was voted on by the coalitions of CDU/CSU, SPD, and the Greens, along with the opposition Greens, as part of policy-and-legislation. This ongoing political issue, reflected in the world of general-news, highlights the role of politics in shaping and adjusting financial regulations associated with members of the Bundestag.
