Revised Automatic Salary Hike for German Bundestag Members
Raising allowance amounts and their implications for parliament members.
Members of the German Bundestag are set to witness a bump in their monthly salaries due to an annual, automatic adjustment mechanism tied to the Nominal Wage Index, reflecting the average wage growth in the country. This time, the increase amounts to an impressive 5.4%, setting lawmakers' salaries at €11,833 as of mid-2025[1].
The Current Salary Landscape
With this latest adjustment, Bundestag members will see a steady increase from their previous monthly salary of €11,227.20, with a significant boost of over €600[1][5]. This adjustment mechanism, in place since 2014, aligns parliamentary salaries with the evolving wage trends across Germany.
The Divide in Opinion
The automatic salary increase has stirred controversy, particularly from opposition parties such as the AfD (Alternative for Germany) and the Left Party[5]. Critics argue that these automatic increases are disconnected from the economic reality endured by everyday citizens and don't reflect the current economic situation in Germany[5]. MPs like Heidi Reichinnek from the Left Party have voiced concerns that their salaries are becoming increasingly detached from the reality experienced by the general public and have promised to donate their raised earnings to charity[5].
On the other hand, supporters of the automatic adjustment system, such as the SPD (Social Democratic Party) and the CDU/CSU (Christian Democratic Union), argue that it offers a rational and fact-based approach to determining parliamentary salaries[1]. They point out that in tough economic times, like during the COVID-19 pandemic, parliamentary salaries have decreased[1].
Despite this ongoing debate, the automatic salary adjustment mechanism seems set to continue with backing from leading parties within the Bundestag.
- The implementation of this automatic salary adjustment mechanism, a thoroughly outlined policy-and-legislation in the Bundestag, has resulted in a regular increase for members' salaries, aligning them with the general news of economic trends in Germany.
- In the midst of ongoing controversy and divisive opinions, political parties like the SPD and CDU/CSU advocate for the vocational training of parliamentarians, emphasizing the importance of keeping the system rational and fact-based, while criticisms from parties such as the AfD and the Left demand more transparency, focusing on the need for a policy that reflects the economic reality experienced by the community at large.
