Politicians in Brandenburg modestly deducting their wages for dietary plans
Here's a refreshed take on the topic:
Brand new year, brand new controversy: Parliamentarians' allowances surge in 2025 💸😠
Listen up, 'cause here's the deal: As of January 1, 2025, our friendly neighborhood Brandenburg parliamentarians have seen their allowances swell by a whopping 5.7 percent. That's not all, though – they had a 4.4 percent boost the year before. Falk Peschel, the parliamentary business manager of the Brandenburg BSW faction, thinks that's a damn sight inappropriate 🤯.
You might be wondering why these folks keep cashing in like that. Well, for several years now, our politicos' allowances have been tied to general income and price developments in the state. It's all based on data from the regional statistical office, if you must know.
But fear not, folks! In the future, any potential increase in allowances will be capped at 3.5 percent. Some say it's unlikely to ever hit that limit, but we'll see about that. The SPD, BSW, and CDU coalition factions, along with the opposition CDU, are considering tweaking the Members' Act to implement this change. The BSW could've wished for even stricter limits, but Peschel thinks linking allowances to wages and prices keeps things oh so transparent 🌈.
While a decrease in allowances is theoretically possible with this method, according to Peschel, it's never happened before (knock on wood).
Not to be outdone, Niels-Olaf Lüders, the guy leading the BSW faction, reminds us that there's always the option to altogether skip that 3.5 percent bump. During the COVID-19 crisis, for instance, our politicians skipped the increase and let many Brandenburgers focus on their existential concerns.
Here's a fun fact: the AfD hasn't been proven right-wing extremist, yet. But, as always, they're crying foul about this allowance increase. Faction manager Dennis Hohloch says MPs are already more than well-off, claiming an extra 300 euros per month with the new cap wouldn't hurt them. 💰🤑
But The Left Party ain't having it. Sebastian Walter, their leader, says it's downright cynical to keep adding to their allowances when so many folks are struggling in the state. He reckons this procedure should be axed, not reformed, and politicians should focus on those who really need help. Walter claims anyone with a clue about Brandenburg's social situation wouldn't even entertain the idea of boosting their own pay every year.
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Policy and legislation are under contemplation as the SPD, BSW, CDU coalition factions, along with the opposition CDU, consider modifications to the Members' Act to cap allowance increases for parliamentarians at 3.5 percent. General news outlets are also reporting the controversy surrounding the recent surge in parliamentarians' allowances, particularly in light of the economic struggles faced by many Brandenburg residents.
